Hà Nội Flag Tower

The Hà Nội Flag Tower was built in 1812, during the reign of Emperor Gia Long, on the southern grounds of the Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long—the site of the Tam Môn citadel of the Lê-era Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long. Its main purpose was to serve as an observation tower. This was also why the French colonial forces did not destroy the flag tower during their occupation from 1894 to 1897.

For more than half a century, the red flag with its five-pointed gold star has flown from the top of the Hà Nội Flag Tower above the thousand-year-old capital. This image remains a glorious symbol and a source of pride for Vietnam and its people. Today, the Hà Nội Flag Tower continues to be a familiar attraction for visitors.

Architecturally, the Hà Nội Flag Tower stands 33m tall, or 44 m including the flagpole. It consists of 3 base levels and a tower. The bases are shaped like truncated square pyramids, decreasing in size and stacked one above another.

• See also: Top attractions in Hà Nội