The national sovereignty flagpole on Co To island has a very important meaning in affirming territorial sovereignty, along with a profound educational value, arousing national pride and love for the country and national sea and islands.

 

 

 

The construction of the flagpole on Co To island, chaired by the University of Transport and Communications in coordination with the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Guard Command was started on March 14, 2022. The height of the flagpole is 27.9m (the same as the flagpole at Ba Dinh Square, Hanoi). The national flag, 4.5m wide and 6.2m long, was hoisted to the top of the flagpole in front of President Ho Chi Minh special national relic site on Co To island. The foundation was designed to help the flagpole withstand very strong winds and storms above level 12. The flagpole was built with advanced techniques and materials, such as hot dipped galvanized structural steel pipe for the pole, and C35 concrete (M400) and Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) for the foundation, ensuring the durability of the construction of over 70 years in marine climate conditions.

 

The flagpole has a moving part, a winch, and an electrical system designed, supplied and constructed by the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Guard Command, creating enough tension in the face of strong winds. Specially, the electronic system of the winch controls the flag to follow the correct journey within the duration of the national anthem used for major national celebrations at Ba Dinh Square.

 

The project has a total investment of nearly VND2 billion, including the funds donated by officials, employees and alumni of the University of Transport and Communications through the form of socialization, along with the contribution of many working days of officers and soldiers of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Guard Command and the leadership, direction, support and contribution of leaders of Quang Ninh province and Co To district, therefore, it meets the requirements of art, quality and progress. This is really a meaningful gift for officers, soldiers and people of Co To district.

 

 

 

The work was inaugurated on the occasion of the 61st anniversary of Uncle Ho's visit to Co To Island on May 9 (1961-2022). Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Guard Command respectfully presented it to Co To soldiers and people in a special solemn ceremony to carry the flag from Ba Dinh Square to Co To. This showed the love and faith of the Party and State to the cadres, soldiers and people of Co To island district as Uncle Ho’s saying: "The capital of Hanoi is far away from the islands, but the Party and the Government always care about the people of the islands and hope that they will unite, strive and make progress”.

 

The flagpole has the same size as the one at Ba Dinh Square. It is placed in front of the monument of President Ho Chi Minh. Co To today has changed, but the historical landmarks on the day of welcoming Uncle Ho and the historical relic complex of President Ho Chi Minh memorial site on Co To island are still kept intact.

 

The sacred national flag of Vietnam is a symbol of the soul of the country, the hearts of the people, and the heroic sacrifices of many generations of Vietnamese people in the struggle for national independence. The government, the armed forces and the people of Co To district are full of honor and pride because the sacred national flag was respectfully presented by the soldiers of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Guard Command to Co To soldiers and people in a special solemn ceremony before the President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum at historic Ba Dinh Square. The red flag with a yellow star in the center, which used to flutter at Ba Dinh Square, the heart of Vietnam, today continues to proudly fly in the immense sea and sky of Co To island.

 

Co To island district was honored and proud to get Uncle Ho’s permission to build his statue during his lifetime. The work "Sovereignty flagpole on Co To island" has a very important meaning in affirming Vietnam's territorial sovereignty, arousing and promoting national pride, showing love for the homeland, the sea and islands, contributing to strengthening and raising awareness among the youngsters, cadres, party members and people on the role and strategic position of Vietnam's seas and islands in the cause of national construction and defense.

 

President Ho Chi Minh memorial site special national relic and the national sovereignty flagpole became the venue for many political and cultural events of Co To island district. The inauguration of the flagpole was a great joy of the Party Committee, the government and the people of Co To district. Secretary of Co To District Party Committee, Chairman of the District People's Committee Nguyen Viet Dzung shared, "The national flag fluttering in the vast sea and sky of Co To shows the love of the Party and State to cadres, soldiers, employees and people of Co To island district. Each Co To resident is given more faith and strength to stay firmly as a living milestone in the sea and sky of the homeland, and at the same time to be more aware of their responsibilities for the national construction and protection.