Lung Cu Flag Tower is considered as one of “four great wonders” in Ha Giang Province, along with Dong Van Plateau, The Edifice of Vuong Family, and Happiness Road. This is also the northernmost point, one in four poles defining the shape of Vietnamese map.
Lung Cu flag tower is a national flag tower situated at the top of Lung Cu Mountain (Dragon Mountain), which has the altitude of approximately 1,700 meters. Lung Cu Flag Tower belongs to the territory of Lung Cu Commune, Dong Van District, Ha Giang Province. This north pole of Vietnam has the coordinates of 23°21’49” north latitude and 105°18’58 ” east longitude. Being known as a small point on the borderline between Vietnam and China, Lung Cu Flag-pole is a scared symbol of the national sovereignty in the consciousness of Vietnamese people.

According to H’Mong language, “Lung” means corn and “Cu” means valley, therefore, Lung Cu flag tower simply refers to a valley of cornfields. Indeed, when travelers stand atop Lung Cu Mountain and look down, a vast terraced fields of rice and corn will catch your eyes. However, there is an alternative explanation for the mountain’s name. Accordingly, Lung Cu flag tower is where dragon once lived. Therefore, it was called “Núi Rồng”, “Long Sơn” (Dragon Mountain) or “Long Cư” (Dragon House). From the top of Lung Cu flag tower, looking in the westerly direction, there are two fresh and green lakes which never run out. According to indigenous people, these lakes are considered as eyes of the former dragon. Legend has it that, in the past, locals were always lack of waters. The scared dragon felt pity for what people were enduring, therefore, before he ascended to the heavens, he left his eyes in Lung Cu Commune, which formed two green lakes as nowadays.
Historically, Lung Cu Flag Tower was firstly built under the reign of Ly Thuong Kiet and initially made of Sa Moc trees (pine trees). The flagpole was then rebuilt in the French colonial period, in 1887. Since then, it was renovated or rebuilt several times, in 1992, 2000, 2002, and most recently in 2010 with larger size. With the latest design, Lung Cu Flag-pole has the height of 33.15 meters, in which, the plinth is 20.25 meter high, and the outside diameter is 3.8 meter wide. It has the octagonal shape, which is like Hanoi Flag-pole. Travelers can find motifs Dong Son Bronze Drum and other patterns representing for differently historical periods of the country in the pedestal. Climbing 839 stone steps, tourists will set food at Lung Cu Flag-Pole. The panoramic view of impressive nature will gladden anyone’s heart.

Other attractions in Northeast Vietnam: Ba Be National Park; Ban Gioc Waterfall; Dong Van Karst Plateau; Hoang Su Phi; Ma Pi Leng Pass; Meo Vac Town