The riverside Flag Tower is found right in front of the citadel. For many years, this is the city’s symbol, witnessing the rise and fall of powers.

 

 

The tower, according to the chronicle of Nguyen Dynasty, was of 17.40-metre height, including three flat-topped pyramids, one piled upon another. On the third terrace, there are 8 small buildings housing 8 cannons. The Flag Tower has undergone repeated restoration and reconstruction. The first wooden flagpole was erected in 1807 under the reign of King Gia Long. It was renovated and embellished in 1829, 1831 and 1840 during the reign of King Minh Mang.

 

- In 1846, King Thieu Tri reconstructed both the tower and the pole as they were thought to be ill-looking. 

- In 1904, the pole was crashed by a typhoon and then with the help of the French, it was replaced by a new one made from cast iron. 

- In August 1945, the feudal flag was pulled off the tower as King Bao Dai surrendered to Ho Chi Minh Revolutionary Government. 

- In 1947, after the French controlled the citadel again, the pole was barraged and a concrete pole was constructed in 1948.

During the Vietnam War, especially in the 1968 Tet Offensive, the Citadel was seriously destroyed by bombardments of both Vietnamese and American forces, but the flag tower survived.

 

The red flag with gold star of North Vietnam had flown on its top for three weeks before being crashed down by American bloody counterattacks and eventually rose again in Spring Uprising April 30, 1975.

 

Along with ups and downs of Hue, Ky Dai witnessed many important historical events. Flag tower is not just the center of Hue city, but also a symbol of the old capital.