The flagpole on Dien Bien Phu Road, Hanoi, was built during the reign of Emperor Gia Long and is considered a sacred symbol of the capital city.
![hanoi flagpole]( "hanoi flagpole")
The Hanoi flagpole is located on Dien Bien Phu Street, Ba Dinh District. The entire flagpole is over 33 meters high and it is up to over 41 meters with its three-story support. ![hanoi flagpole]( "hanoi flagpole")
This is one of the few structures in the inlying area of Hanoi that escaped the destruction of the French government and the wars of the past century. ![hanoi flagpole]( "hanoi flagpole")
Today, this flagpole is the most intact and the largest historical work in the complex of the Thang Long Royal Citadel historical sites. It is located on the campus of the Museum of Military History and is managed by this unit. ![hanoi flagpole]( "hanoi flagpole")
Under the Nguyen Dynasty, the flagpole was also a watch tower. This architecture is only about 300m from the Doan Mon Gate of the Thang Long Royal Citadel, 500m from the Kinh Thien Palace and about 1km from the north gate of the Thang Long Citadel. From the top of the flagpole, one can observe a relatively large area both in and out of the citadel. ![hanoi flagpole]( "hanoi flagpole")
The top of the flagpole is an octagonal room of 3.3m high, with 8 windows, and enough space for 6 people. Amid the floor is a circular pole of 400cm diameter, which is the place to plug a flag. ![hanoi flagpole]( "hanoi flagpole")
There are two stairs to the roof on the right and left. Each staircase has 14 steps and iron handrails. The terrace is surrounded by wooden handrails. ![hanoi flagpole]( "hanoi flagpole")
The east door has two letters, meaning “Welcome the morning sun,” the west door with "Reflected light” and the southern door with “Towards the light”. ![hanoi flagpole]( "hanoi flagpole")
On May 7, 1964, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the historic victory of Dien Bien Phu, Hanoi changed the name of Cot Co (Flagpole) Road to Dien Bien Phu Road. ![hanoi flagpole]( "hanoi flagpole")
The flagpole body has a staircase with 54 spiral steps to the top.
![hanoi flagpole]( "hanoi flagpole")
![hanoi flagpole]( "hanoi flagpole")
According to this signpost, the work was completed in 1812, under the reign of Emperor Gia Long.
![hanoi flagpole]( "hanoi flagpole")
Along the spiral staircase are portals to admit light and air. There are a total of 45 portals.
![hanoi flagpole]( "hanoi flagpole")
The flag at top is 4m x 6m in size.
![hanoi flagpole]( "hanoi flagpole")
In 1945, after the success of the August Revolution, the first national flag was hung on the Hanoi Flagpole. ![hanoi flagpole]( "hanoi flagpole")
Most visitors to the Military History Museum visit the flagpole.
![hanoi flagpole]( "hanoi flagpole")
This work was recognized as a historical site in 1989. The image of the 200-year-old flagpole appeared on the first banknotes of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. ![hanoi flagpole]( "hanoi flagpole")
The coffin of General Vo Nguyen Giap was carried through Dien Bien Phu Street, passing the flagpole last October. |
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VietNamNet/Zing
