Cot Co Flag Tower, Hanoi Citadel
Duong Dien Bien Phu Street, Hanoi

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The Cot Co Flag Tower is one of the symbols of Hanoi. Built in 1812, Cot Co is a later addition to the Hanoi Citadel, which was built by Emperor Gia Long in 1805, with help from French engineers. Although the Hanoi Citadel covers one square kilometers, it is still much smaller than previous citadels built on the same site. Nonetheless it has walls with are 4.4 meters high.

Cot Co Flag Tower is 33.4 meters tall. It was built on the southern end of the citadel, much of which was destroyed towards the end of the 19th century. I visited its grounds when documenting the sights of Hanoi for AsiaExplorers, but did not want to spend any ill-afford time entering it. Trying to photograph the tower was quite trying, as its view seems to be blocked by the Army Museum next to it.

The Cot Co Flag Tower.

How to go to Cot Co Flag Tower
Using the Ho Hoan Kiem as the starting point, walk west along Hang Khay, which becomes Trang Thi after a while. Then you reach a split in the road; the right branch is Dien Bien Phu Street. Take that street, crossing the railway track and continuing on until you see the Army Museum on your right, and the triangular park with the statue of Lenin on your left. Cot Co Flag Tower is just behind the Army Museum.