In Hanoi, in addition to famous relics sites, visitors may feel that it is interesting to witness the flag raising and lowering ceremony at 6am and 9pm everyday at the Ba Dinh Square.
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The flag hoist ceremony at the Ba Dinh Square is a national ritual of Vietnam, which is performed every day at 6am in front of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. This ceremony was performed for the first time from May 19, 2001, on the occasion of the 111th birthday of President Ho Chi Minh and it has been carried out every day since then, by soldiers of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Guard High Command.
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The flag hoist group starts moving from behind Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Taking the lead is a soldier holding the military flag, followed by 34 soldiers, representing the first 34 soldiers of the Vietnam people’s army. The soldiers walk to the melody of the song 'Move under the military flag' to the flagpole.
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When three soldiers move forward to prepare the flag hoist ritual, the door of the mausoleum also opens.
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After the signal, the flag comes out and flies up during the melody of the National Anthem. The flag is hoisted to the 29m high top of the flagpole.
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After the ritual, the soldiers walk in front of the mausoleum and the ritual ends.
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At 9pm, the flag lowering ceremony is performed, similarly. Earlier, loudspeakers begin asking people to stop all activities around the area to prepare for the ceremony.
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A group of 34 uniformed soldiers march to the melody of the song "Uncle Ho is marching with us," form the right of the mausoleum.
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Many people and tourists watch the ritual.
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After lowering the flag from the top, the flag is folded and the ritual finishes.
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