As the name suggests, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is an enormous monument in Hanoi, where the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh, the former president of Vietnam and the country’s leader, is preserved.
Known affectionately as Uncle Ho, he led the Vietnamese independence movement and is a central figure in the creation of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, also known as North Vietnam.
This massive tomb is located in Ba Dinh Square, right where Uncle Ho read the Declaration of Independence in 1945, following the Japanese surrender.
You can access the mausoleum by bus or taxi, or if you prefer Uber or Grab, they work very well here. Alternatively, you can visit as part of a guided tour. Here are a couple of tours you might want to check out:
The mausoleum is located in the northern part of downtown Hanoi, near Ho Tay Lake. It is considered a sacred site for the Vietnamese people, so you’ll notice that it’s not only tourists who visit, but also many locals who gather there daily. The mausoleum is protected and guarded by security, and the schedules are strictly followed.
From October to November, the mausoleum is closed to the public because Ho Chi Minh’s body is sent to Russia for preservation and maintenance. Though it’s recommended to arrive early due to possible long lines, we had no issues visiting at our leisure. If there is a line, it tends to move quickly, and large crowds are uncommon, although they can occur.
Although it is possible to enter the mausoleum, we weren’t allowed to do so when we visited, for unknown reasons. If you do manage to enter, be sure to dress appropriately as shorts and miniskirts are prohibited.
You can also visit his former residence, located next to the old French palace, as well as the gardens surrounding the mausoleum, which house around 250 species of plants and flowers from various regions of Vietnam. At 9:00 p.m. every day, a flag-lowering ceremony takes place.
