Discover Hanoi through the book "History Footprints"

Born and raised in Hanoi , with a special love for this place, a group of 13-14 year old students under the guidance of Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Binh - a knowledgeable person with a deep attachment to Hanoi, spent the entire summer of 2025 to carry out the book project "History Footprints".

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Binh - project guide (in blue ao dai) and children implementing the book project "History Footprints". Photo: M. Phuong

The children spent sunny, windy, and rainy summer days learning and exploring revolutionary resistance relics and realizing that every street corner, every road, every house, and every pagoda in Hanoi has its own historical story. After many trips and working together, the group completed a 100-page color book, published by The Gioi Publishing House.

The book "History Footprints". Photo: M. Phuong

The book presents coherently and in detail more than 100 revolutionary relics and typical landscapes of Hanoi, distributed geographically from the center to the east - west - south - north regions. In particular, the book emphasizes two heroic historical periods: the National Resistance War in 1946 and Hanoi - Dien Bien Phu in the air in 1972.

Children share about the process of making the book. Photo: M. Phuong

Each relic in the book is introduced through many aspects: Events associated with the relic, current status, little-known secrets, nearby locations as well as how to visit.

Besides familiar destinations such as Hoa Lo Prison, Ba Dinh Square, Hanoi Opera House, Thang Long Imperial Citadel..., the book also takes readers to learn about many places with great historical value such as: House No. 48 Hang Ngang - where Uncle Ho drafted the Declaration of Independence; Dong Xuan Market - a fierce battlefield during 60 days and nights protecting the Capital; City Party Committee Bunker at No. 62 Tran Quoc Toan; Kham Thien Memorial; Lang Fort - where the order for the National Resistance was issued; or Huu Tiep Lake - where the remains of B52s in the Dien Bien Phu in the air battle are kept...

The children went to many historical sites and revolutionary addresses to carry out the project. Photo: M. Phuong

To complete the massive amount of work in just 10 weeks, the group of young authors worked hard to find documents, conduct field surveys, write articles, take photos... At times, it seemed like the project would be stopped, but with the efforts of each member, the encouragement of Ms. Thanh Binh and the support of the parents, the book was released on time, as a gift of gratitude to Hanoi, a thousand years of culture.

As the project leader, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Binh expressed: “Regardless of rain or shine, the group of 13 and 14 year old students traveled all over the streets of Hanoi to find revolutionary relics. During that journey, they had the opportunity to observe each wall, each artifact, meet each witness... to feel a Hanoi of the National Resistance full of excitement and heroism, a Hanoi that stood strong during 12 days and nights of fire and smoke... The discoveries did not stop at experiences but were recorded by the students through each page, each photo with very specific directions. Holding the book in hand, readers not only receive knowledge but when following the instructions to set off, each page will lead them to historical relics, to see with their own eyes and feel a time not so long ago - "a time of bullets and bombs, a time of peace" - of beloved Hanoi".

“History Footprints” is the result of a passionate summer of discovery, and at the same time a tribute and pride of the young generation for heroic Hanoi. This is a gift for grandparents, parents and all those who love the Capital, wishing to understand more about every street corner, every historical story.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/kham-pha-ha-noi-qua-cuon-sach-nhung-dau-chan-lich-su-715385.html