Hanoi Flag pole as a national cultural and historical relic
Ha Noi, Jan. 21 (VNA) -- Long considered one of the most famous sights in the capital, the Thang Long-Ha Noi flag pole has been standing for over a century now. At a height of 34 metres, it towers over every other building in the capital, and has been classified as a national cultural and historical relic.
The Nguyen dynasty began construction of the Thang Long , or ascending dragon City in 1804, and the flag pole was erected upon its completion, in 1812. And in 1832, when King Minh Mang changed Thang Long citadel into the provincial city of Ha Noi, the flag pole became known as the Ha Noi Flag Pole.
The Ha Noi flag pole is situated in what is known as the Tam Mon (Three Gates) area of the Le dynastyEs former imperial city, so-named because under the Leo, the Dai Hung, Dong Trang An, Tam Mon, and Ngu Mon gates led to the Kinh Thien Palace in the centre of the city. But under the Nguyen, Thang Long changed the orientation of its gates, and the Flag Pole now stands at the south-western corner of the City as a separate architectural work. Nowadays, it lies within the grounds of the Army Museum, at the corner of Dien Bien Phu and Hoang Dieu Road.
The Ha Noi Flag Pole stands on a three-tiered, graduated foundation, with a square peak. The largest level measures 42.5 metres along each side and is 3.1 metres high. Two staircases lead to the middle level, which measures 27 metres along each side, and 3.7 metres in height with four doors. The eastern door is inscribed with the two words "Nghenh Huc" (Welcome the Dawn), the western door with the words "Hoi Quang" (Reflection of Light), and the southern door with the words "Huong Minh" (Turn to Light). The top level measures 12.8 metres along each side, and is 5.1 metres in height with a door leading to a northern staircase. The main body of the pole runs through the middle of this level in an octagonal cylinder, 2-m wide and 18.2-m high. Inside the pole is a spiral staircase, with 52 steps leading to the top, 39 star-shaped windows and six fan-shaped windows along the sides provide light and fresh air.
At the top of the flag pole is an octagonal pavilion, 3.3-m high, with one window on each side. In the middle of the pavilion is a cylinder 0.4 metres in diameter where the staff of the flag (8-m high) is planted. In all, the flag pole is 41-m high.
The flag pole has witnessed more than a centuryEs worth of historical events. In 1873, the French attacked the citadel, leaving part of a cannon shell in the wall of the northern gate. In 1882, the Citadel fell when it was again attacked by the French.
In 1894, the French destroyed the old citadel to build offices and streets, but the flag pole remained intact. The French used the flag pole as an observation and radio signal tower.
When the success of the August 1945 Revolution brought about the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam, the gold-starred red flag of an independent Viet Nam fluttered in the sky above the flag pole for the first time.--VNS/VNA
