Hanoi celebrates 60 years since the end of French colonial rule

Last May marked the 60th anniversary of the historic battle of Dien Bien Phu where, under the leadership of famed general Vo Nguyen Giap, Ho Chi Minh's communist forces defeated the French in a remote outpost near the Lao border. Today marks the 60th anniversary of the final departure of the French - handing Hanoi and Vietnam's north to Ho Chi Minh and the Communists. Flags are flying in Hanoi streets and tonight, fireworks will light the sky over Hoan Kiem Lake and other city landmarks. Vietnam's battles continued for another 21 years until North Vietnam conquered US-backed South Vietnam in April 1975 and unified the nation.