Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is a mausoleum that serves as the resting place of Vietnamese revolutionary leader and President Ho Chi Minh in Hanoi, Vietnam. It is a large and solemn building located in the center of Ba Dinh Square, where Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence on September 2, 1945, establishing the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. It is open to the public every morning except Monday and Friday. It is a place of great historical and cultural significance, as well as a symbol of national pride and reverence for the Vietnamese people. In this blog post, we will tell you everything you need to know about Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, including its history, its architecture, its attractions, and its tips. Let’s get started!
The History of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Ho Chi Minh was born on May 19, 1890, in Nghe An province, Vietnam. He was a revolutionary and politician who led the Vietnamese nationalist movement for nearly three decades. He was the founder of the Vietnamese Communist Party and the leader of the Viet Minh, the resistance army that fought against French colonialism and Japanese occupation. He was also the Prime Minister and President of North Vietnam from 1954 to 1969. He was a key figure in the First Indochina War (1946-1954) and the Vietnam War (1955-1975). He died on September 2, 1969, at the age of 79.
After his death, his body was embalmed and preserved by Soviet experts. His wish was to be cremated and have his ashes scattered across the country, but his colleagues decided to build a mausoleum for him to honor his legacy and inspire future generations. The construction of the mausoleum began on September 2, 1973, and was completed on August 29, 1975. It was inspired by Lenin’s Mausoleum in Moscow but incorporated distinct Vietnamese architectural elements. The mausoleum was formally inaugurated on August 29, 19751.
The Architecture of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is a rectangular structure that measures 41.2 meters wide, 21.6 meters high, and 12 meters deep. It has a flat roof with four pillars at each corner. The exterior is made of grey granite, while the interior is made of grey, black, and red polished stone. The mausoleum has three layers: the base, the body, and the roof.
The base is a platform that surrounds the mausoleum and has seven steps for parade viewing. The body is divided into three halls: the central hall, where Ho Chi Minh’s body lies in a glass sarcophagus with dim lights; the left hall, where Ho Chi Minh’s personal belongings are displayed; and the right hall, where Ho Chi Minh’s medals and awards are exhibited. The roof has a sloping shape that resembles a traditional Vietnamese house.
The mausoleum’s portico has the words “Chủ tịch Hồ Chí Minh” (President Ho Chi Minh) inscribed across it in gold letters. The banner beside says “Nước Cộng Hòa Xã Hội Chủ Nghĩa Việt Nam Muôn Năm” (Long live The Socialist Republic of Vietnam). The mausoleum is guarded by a military honor guard that changes every hour.
The Attractions of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is not only a place to pay respect to Ho Chi Minh but also a place to learn more about his life and achievements. There are many attractions within and around the mausoleum that are worth visiting:
- Ho Chi Minh Museum: This is a museum that showcases Ho Chi Minh’s biography and his role in Vietnam’s history and culture. It has various exhibits that display photos, documents, artifacts, and models related to Ho Chi Minh’s activities and events.
- Ho Chi Minh’s House on Stilts: This is a house where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked from 1958 to 1969. It is a simple
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is a mausoleum that serves as the resting place of Vietnamese revolutionary leader and President Ho Chi Minh in Hanoi, Vietnam. It is a large and imposing building located in the center of Ba Dinh Square, where Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence on September 2, 1945, establishing the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. It is open to the public every morning except Monday and Friday. It is a place of great historical and cultural significance, as well as a symbol of national pride and reverence for Ho Chi Minh and his legacy. In this blog post, we will tell you everything you need to know about Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, including its history, its architecture, its attractions, and its tips. Let’s get started!
The History of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum was built to honor and preserve the body of Ho Chi Minh, who was also known as Uncle Ho or President Ho. He was the founder of the Vietnamese Communist Party and the leader of the Vietnamese nationalist movement for nearly 30 years. He led Vietnam to independence from French colonialism and fought against American imperialism during the Vietnam War. He died on September 2, 1969, at the age of 79.
According to his will, he wished to be cremated and his ashes scattered in different regions of Vietnam. However, his successors decided to embalm his body and display it in a mausoleum, following the example of Lenin’s Mausoleum in Moscow. They believed that his body would inspire and unite the Vietnamese people.
Construction work began on September 2, 1973, and the mausoleum was formally inaugurated on August 29, 1975. It was designed by architect Garol Isakovich from the Soviet Union, with the assistance of Vietnamese architects. It was inspired by Lenin’s Mausoleum but incorporated distinct Vietnamese architectural elements, such as the sloping roof. The exterior is made of grey granite, while the interior is grey, black and red polished stone. The mausoleum’s portico has the words “Chủ tịch Hồ Chí Minh” (President Ho Chi Minh) inscribed across it. The banner beside says “Nước Cộng Hòa Xã Hội Chủ Nghĩa Việt Nam Muôn Năm” (Long live The Socialist Republic of Vietnam).
The embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh is preserved in the cooler, central hall of the mausoleum, which is protected by a military honor guard. The body lies in a glass case with dim lights. The mausoleum is generally open to the public from 8 am to 11 am every day except Monday and Friday. Visitors have to follow strict rules of conduct and dress code when entering the mausoleum.
The Architecture of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is a monumental structure that reflects the solemnity and dignity of Ho Chi Minh and his role in Vietnamese history. It has a rectangular shape with four sides measuring 41.2 meters long and 21.6 meters high. It has four pillars at each corner that support the roof.
The roof has a gentle slope that resembles a traditional Vietnamese house or pagoda. It also has a lotus-shaped skylight that allows natural light to enter the interior. The roof is decorated with red stars on a yellow background, which are the symbols of Vietnam’s national flag.
The front facade has a large portico with six columns that support a horizontal beam with the words “Chủ tịch Hồ Chí Minh” (President Ho Chi Minh) carved on it. Above the portico, there is a large red banner with yellow letters that says “Nước Cộng Hòa Xã Hội Chủ Nghĩa Việt Nam Muôn Năm” (Long live The Socialist Republic of Vietnam). On both sides of the portico, there are two smaller banners that say “Độc lập Tự do Hạnh phúc” (Independence Freedom Happiness) and “Chủ nghĩa Mác Lênin Hồ Chí Minh” (Marxism-Leninism Ho Chi Minh).
The other three facades have similar designs, with smaller porticos and banners. The back facade has a large bronze relief that depicts the life and achievements of Ho Chi Minh, from his childhood to his death. The relief was created by sculptor Vuong Duy Bien and his team. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
The interior of the mausoleum is divided into three halls: the central hall, the left hall, and the right hall. The central hall is where the body of Ho Chi Minh is displayed in a glass case. The hall is dimly lit and has a solemn atmosphere. The walls are covered with red velvet curtains and have portraits of Ho Chi Minh and his quotations. The floor is made of black marble tiles with red stripes.
The left hall and the right hall are used for displaying gifts and souvenirs from foreign leaders and delegations who visited the mausoleum. They also have some exhibits about the history and construction of the mausoleum. The halls are decorated with red carpets, wooden panels, and chandeliers.
The Attractions of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is not only a place to pay respect to Ho Chi Minh but also a place to learn more about his life and legacy. There are many attractions around the mausoleum that are worth visiting, such as:
- Ba Dinh Square: This is a large square in front of the mausoleum, where Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence on September 2, 1945, establishing the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. It is also a place where many important events and ceremonies take place, such as parades, rallies, and celebrations. The square is divided into 240 green squares separated by pathways. It can accommodate up to 200,000 people.
- Ho Chi Minh Museum: This is a museum that showcases the life and achievements of Ho Chi Minh, as well as the history and culture of Vietnam. It is located next to the mausoleum and has four floors with different themes and exhibits. The museum displays many artifacts, documents, photos, videos, and artworks related to Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam’s struggle for independence and reunification. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
- Ho Chi Minh’s House on Stilts: This is a house where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked from 1958 to 1969. It is located behind the Presidential Palace, which was built by the French colonial government in 1906 and used by Ho Chi Minh as his office. The house on stilts is a simple but elegant structure made of wood and bamboo. It has two rooms: a living room and a bedroom. It also has a fish pond, a garden, and a garage where Ho Chi Minh’s cars are displayed.
- The Presidential Palace: This is a palace that was built by the French colonial government in 1906 as the residence of the Governor-General of Indochina. It is a neoclassical building with yellow walls and green shutters. It has three floors with 30 rooms that are decorated with French furniture and artworks. It also has a large garden with many trees and flowers. It is now used for official receptions and meetings.
- One Pillar Pagoda: This is a pagoda that was built by Emperor Ly Thai Tong in 1049 to express his gratitude to Buddha for giving him a son. It is located near the mausoleum and has a unique design that resembles a lotus flower rising from the water. It has a wooden pillar that supports a small temple with a statue of Avalokiteshvara inside. It is one of the most iconic symbols of Hanoi.
- The House No.54: This is a house where Ho Chi Minh lived from 1954 to 1958 before moving to the house on stilts. It is located opposite the One Pillar Pagoda and has two floors with six rooms. It displays some personal belongings of Ho Chi Minh, such as his books, clothes, glasses, pens, and gifts from foreign friends.
Tips for Visiting Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
To make the most of your visit to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, here are some tips that you should follow:
- Check the opening hours and days before you go. The mausoleum is open from 8 am to 11 am every day except Monday and Friday. It may also close for maintenance or special occasions. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
- Dress appropriately and respectfully when entering the mausoleum. You should wear clothes that cover your shoulders and knees. You should also avoid wearing hats, sunglasses, or noisy accessories.
- Follow the rules of conduct and security when entering the mausoleum. You should not bring any bags, cameras, phones, or weapons with you. You should also not talk, smoke, eat, drink, or take photos inside the mausoleum. You should walk in two lines and follow the instructions of the guards. You should also bow respectfully when you pass by the body of Ho Chi Minh.
- Plan your visit in advance and arrive early. The mausoleum is a popular attraction and there may be long queues of visitors waiting to enter. You should arrive at least 30 minutes before the opening time and join the queue. You should also prepare your ID card or passport for security check.
- Combine your visit with other attractions around the mausoleum. You can spend a whole day exploring the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex and learn more about Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam’s history and culture. You can also visit other nearby attractions such as the Temple of Literature, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, or the Hoan Kiem Lake.
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Conclusion
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is a symbol of national pride and reverence for Ho Chi Minh and his legacy. It is a place where you can pay respect to Ho Chi Minh and see his embalmed body. It is also a place where you can learn more about his life and achievements, as well as the history and culture of Vietnam. It is a place that you should not miss when you visit Hanoi.
We hope that this blog post has given you some useful information and tips about Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. We wish you a happy and meaningful trip!
