Flag raising and lowering ceremonies on Ba Dinh Square

Coming to Hanoi, apart from famous relic sites, tourists can find it interesting to witness the raising and lowering ceremony of the national flag at 6a.m and 9p.m daily in Ba Dinh Square.

The flag raising ceremony is a national ritual of Vietnam which is carried out at 6a.m each day in front of President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. The ceremony was adopted by the Government in 2001 to mark 111^th birthday of President Ho Chi Minh.

The delegation carrying out the flag consists of 34 soldiers, typically new soldiers of the Vietnam Armed Unit for National Liberation, the forerunner of the Vietnam People's Army.

Three soldiers reach nearer the flag tower in preparation for the ceremony when President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum opens.

After a command, the flag is undone, flying to the voice of the national anthem. It is hung on the top of a 29 metre high tower.

The delegation walks around the mausoleum after ending the ceremony.

Similar rituals take place at 9p.m to start the flag lowering ceremony.

The 34-soldier delegation comes out from the right side of the mausoleum.

A large number of people and tourists witness the ceremony.

After being lowered, the flag is carefully arranged on the hands of soldiers.

Photos: VnExpress ( Compiled by VNF )