A flag hoisting ceremony at the Square of President Ho Chi Minh Memorial House on Co To island. (photo: VOV)

President Ho Chi Minh visited Co To island and had a talk with the local people and soldiers on May 9, 1961. Considering the important strategic position of the island in economic development and national waters sovereignty, and honouring the wish of the islanders, President Ho Chi Minh allowed his statue to be erected on the island while he was still alive. On May 19, 1968, the statue of President Ho Chi Minh was inaugurated at the place where he stood and talked to the people and soldiers seven years ago.

Construction of a national flagpole on Co To island, a gift from the President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Protection Command to the island’s soldiers and people, began on March 14, 2022. This flagpole is as tall as the flagpole at Ba Dinh square in Hanoi. The island is often hit by storms, so the foundation of the flagpole is strong enough to withstand level 12 winds and is expected to last more than 70 years. An electric winch linked to a sound system is programmed to hoist the flag to the top of the pole at the exact moment the national anthem ends.

Nguyen Thi Thanh Thai, Secretary of Party Committee and Chairwoman of the People’s Committee of Thanh Lan commune, Cô Tô district, said that on April 19, 2022, a ceremony was held at Ba Dinh Square in front of the President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to lower the national flag.

Major General Bui Hai Son, Commander of the President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Guard Command, delivered this flag to the representative of the Co To islanders, Chairman of the Co To district People's Committee Nguyen Viet Dung.

"Bringing the national flag from the President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to Co To island was a journey of pride and responsibility, honoring the will and aspirations of the islanders. Seeing the national flag flying on Co To's flagpole filled me with emotion. The flag bears the love Hanoi and the country feel for the people of Co To," said Mrs. Thanh Thai. 

Co To district inaugurated the national flagpole on April 26, last year on the 61^st anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's visit to Co To. Since then, the flag salute ceremony has been held every Monday morning, and on other important occasions.

Nguyen Van Duong, Deputy Director of the President Ho Chi Minh Relic Site at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi, said: "Co To island was the only locality President Ho Chi Minh allowed to build a statue of him when he was alive. It showed President Ho Chi Minh’s love for Co To. The island district has built a cultural space that includes the statue and a temple dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh. Visitors who come to Co To island district and attend a flag hoisting ceremony will love their homeland more and take more responsibility for protecting Vietnam's sea and island sovereignty."                                          

The national anthem rises above the sound of the waves. All eyes follow the national flag being hoisted slowly to the top of the 27.9m flagpole. Ha Van Duy, a tourist from Lang Son province, said: "Whenever I hear the national anthem, I feel a sacred emotion. Attending the flag hoisting ceremony on Co To island is an  honor that fills me with pride."

Nguyen Thi Ngat, a Co To islander, said: "The national flag flying high over the northeast sea is a huge source of pride for Co To’s people. It motivates me and the other islanders to embrace our responsibility to protect and develop the island’s economy." 

During his visit to Co To, President Ho Chi Minh said that “although Hanoi is far from the islands, the Party and Government always care for the people of the islands and hope they will stay united and strive to advance.” Vietnamese people from many places come to the island, stand in front of President Ho Chi Minh’s statue, salute the national flag, and vow to make Co To more prosperous and beautiful.