The national flag is the most sacred symbol of a country. The flag raising needs to be ensured regularly 24/24h regardless of sun or rain so that the flag always flutters in the wind. To raise the flag requires those who pull the flag to have health and experience. Let’s go and learn the story of the flag bearers.

Hanoi flagpole

A few features about Hanoi Flagpole

The flag tower “Hanoi flagpole” is located on Dien Bien Phu street, in Ba Dinh district, Hanoi, built in 1812, under King Gia Long of the Nguyen Dynasty on the southern part of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, where the building was built. Tam Mon citadel of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long under the Le Dynasty. This is the reference point, marking the beginning at the southern end of the main axis of the citadel, from here along the “fishing path”, through Doan Mon and then to the most important point, the central point of the Imperial Citadel is Kinh Thien Palace. .

Hanoi flagpole is now one of the most intact and monumental works in the complex of Imperial Citadel of Thang Long.

The Flagpole was built with three floors and a column body.

From the first floor to the third floor, there are spiral stairs leading up.

On the 3rd floor is a cylindrical flagpole with 8 sides tapering upwards, each side is 2.13 m with a body of 18.2 m high. Spiral trapezoidal pillar includes 54 steps; illuminated (and vented) by 39 asterisk windows and 6 fan-shaped windows. These doorways are placed along the edges, each with up to 5 or 6 windows.

The top of the flagpole is made up of an octagonal floor, 3.3 m high with 8 windows corresponding to 8 sides. In the middle of the floor is a round pillar, 0.4 m in diameter and high to the top of the floor, where the flagpole is 8 m high, and the red flag with a yellow star is hung above it.

The whole construction from base to pillar is 33.4 m high, including 3 floors with 12 m high base, 18.2 m high column, 3.3 m high floor. If the flagpole is included, it is over 40m.

The story of those who raise the flag

For the first time in history, the red flag with a yellow star flew over the Flagpole when the August Revolution was successful, the Capital was completely liberated. History is also recorded, on October 10, 1954, almost all Hanoi people turned to Hanoi Flagpole to witness the flag raising ceremony. At that time, a long whistle sounded, the military band sang the national anthem, the country’s flag was hoisted to the rhythm of the march. Previously, the red flag with a yellow star only appeared on holidays and New Year, since 1986 until now, the flag has always flown on the roof of Ky Dai.

Lieutenant Colonel Do Hong Son, Head of General Administration Department (Vietnam Military History Museum) said that because the flagpole has a very special position and is in front of the General Staff, it is monitored by many units. . Particularly at the Vietnam Military Museum, the unit arranged a team (including 7 people who are officers and soldiers of the General Administration Department) to take care of and take care of the entire Flagpole area. In particular, the team to ensure the national flag has 3 people.

The flag raising is guaranteed by the staff regularly 24/24h, regardless of sun or rain so that the flag always flutters in the wind. When the flag is discolored or torn, the team will immediately replace the flag with a new one. In particular, the country’s important holidays will also be changed.

According to the design, the flag hanging on the top of the Hanoi Flagpole is 4m wide, 6m long, and has an area of ​​24m2. The flag is sewn at a unit under the Ministry of National Defense to meet strict requirements. The flag is made of non-glossy fabric, sewn with 3 stitches, the corner of the flag is quilted in the shape of a filling, and the tail of the flag is quilted many times to be able to withstand strong winds.

Bringing reporters to visit Ky Dai, Senior Lieutenant Luu Ngoc Huan (who had 4 years on duty in the team to ensure the flag) said that those selected to raise the flag must be experienced, calm, healthy and concerned. Most importantly, there is no cardiovascular disease. Because the flagpole’s foot is located on the highest watchtower, the roof is designed with a conical slope, while the person pulling the flag must stand up straight and pull the flag to ensure safety (people, flag system) by a safety belt system. whole. Changing the flag must have 3 people because when lowering the flag, the person above grabs the tail, holds it down so that the two people below keep it, do not let the flag fly up in the wind, the movement must be quick and decisive. Without assistance, the towman would fly through the air like someone who had just parachuted from an airplane. When pulling the flag, you have to follow the reverse process, the two people below hold the flag, the person above quickly pulls the flag and then slowly pulls it.

Since 1986 (when the flag was flown regularly) the iron flagpole has been replaced by stainless steel. The zipper is made of stainless steel cable, the outside is covered with a flexible plastic layer. In 1989, Ky Dai was recognized as a historical relic, becoming a symbol of Hanoi capital.

Source: Compilation