Sometime between the years 1802 and 1812, a massive fort was built in Hanoi by Gia Long. The only part of this fort still standing is the watch tower, which now serves as an important Vietnamese landmark, bearing the country’s flag. Shaped in a hexagon, the tower stands 31 meters high. The Military History Museum of Vietnam sits at the feet of the tower, and from atop the tower you can see nearby Lenin Park to the south west, as well as the outdoor exhibits of the Military History Museum itself, making the tower a must for history and military buffs visiting Hanoi.
The tower and museum are open from 8:00 in the morning to 11:30, then 1:00 in the afternoon to 6:30 in the evening, and is open all week besides on Mondays and Fridays. The 20,000 VND entrance fee to the museum also covers entrance to the tower.