Sights - Lung Cu Flag Tower

Lung Cu in H’mong language means the land where dragons live (two semicircular lakes at the foot of the mountain are said to be the eyes of the dragon). This is the north most point in Vietnam. There has been a flag tower here for nearly 150 years, with the first incarnation being built in 1887 by the French to mark the most north point under their Asian conquest. Strategically located on top of a 330m hillside, the tower has been rebuilt once or twice and the current incarnation was completed in 2010.

Today the tower is 33m high, with the flagpole adding another 20m to the total height. The flag is also symbolic - 9m x 6m = 54m which is the number of the ethnic tribes of Vietnam.

Getting to the top

To make access easier to the top, there is are electric shuttle busses that can take visitors part of the way up the hill. This saves time as typical we have a busy day with lots to see. The 400 steps are well kept and in good condition however, so if you want - ascending all of them is no problem at all.

From the top of the tower (you can climb inside the tower to the top) you can see into China and the border gate. The tower is a popular destination for foreigners and Vietnamese alike and the views from the top produce excellent photo opportunities.

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As you can see there are a few steps to the top - 400 in total to be exact. They are easy to climb though, so all aok "

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The flag proudly flying is 54sq/m to represent the 54 different ethnic tribes of Vietnam.

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Here we see some Dao ladies also making a visit to the Lung Cu Flag Tower.