Flag tower
32 i n Biê n Phủ, i n Biê n, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, Vietnam
Description:
One of the historic landmarks of Hanoi is the 30-meter Flag Tower, or Kot Ko Tower, built in 1812. During the Vietnam War, it was used by the French army as an observation tower and communication station. The tower is one of the rare architectural structures preserved almost in its original form during the French colonization.
It consists of three tiers and has the shape of a hexagonal pyramid with a spiral staircase inside. Lighting is provided through 36 flower-shaped holes and six fan-shaped windows. The flag of Vietnam is located at the top of the tower.
Ko is one of the symbols of Vietnam and part of the Hanoi citadel. Currently, the tower is located on the territory of the Military History Museum and has been open to visitors since 2010.