Ho Chi Minh mausoleum

The first time I went to Ho Chi Minh mausoleum was when I was 5 years old. I got selected by my school as one of the best students to go to see Uncle Ho. It was quite a big deal for a pupil from the countryside and I believe it is still.

My mum let me wear the best dress that I had and tied my hair. I still remember the feeling that I got at that time was so warm, so peaceful and respectful. As I grew up, I still felt the same way when I saw Uncle Ho face. Even though the time was short but it was intensive.

I think that is the reason why people can queue up hours even half to just see his face.

I am happy to have some other chances to visit Uncle Ho with some of my foreign friends. I am more than happy to see how they enjoyed the experience.

There was one time I didn’t wear long trouser and the security guard stopped me. My Irish friend took her scarf and covered for me. It was dropped on the way but we still could make it to have a wonderful peaceful moment again as my friends did.

I think everyone has different feelings about Uncle Ho. I will share with you 3 stories about him that make me like him.

Story 1: Create something from nothing

In 1921, at the age of 21, Ho Chi Minh decided to leave the homeland to to seek the path of national liberation, saving  his country and people.

He asked his friend, named Le to join him. His friend agreed and then asked: ‘How can we go, where is the money?’.

Ho Chi Minh spread his hands and said : " Here  you are! I will work to make a living and have money to leave ".

Le did not have the courage, so stayed. Thanh still decided to go abroad and made thing happen.

Story 2: Contiguous courage

In 1942, at age 52, Ho Chi Minh, now Chief of State of North Vietnam, was arrested in South China, accused of being a spy. For fourteen months, bound in leg irons, he was shifted from jail to jail. Throughout he kept a diary written in poetry. With relentless energy, profound intelligence and undying passion, he led his people through every up and down over the course of half a century. The sentence that I like the most in his poem is ‘The body stays in hail but the mind goes free outside’.

Story 3: More than a leader, Ho Chi Minh is a father, an Uncle who cared about little things

In 1946, as the president of Vietnam, Uncle Ho visited France. Mayor of Paris organized a welcome dinner for him . When leaving, he took an apple on the table and put it to his pocket. People were surprised .

Walked out of the door where were a lot of Vietnamese and French people standing  to welcome Uncle . Uncle approached a small baby, holding the child’s hands . Then , Uncle pulled out of his pocket to take the apple to give to the baby . Everyone felt very touched by his love .

So, what do you like about Uncle Ho. Whatever the answer is, by visiting Ho chi Minh mausoleum I believe you will have a great experience and understand more about Vietnamese soul.

How can you get there

You can go by walking if you stay anywhere nearby the Old quarter.

There are some notices:

• You should not wear skirt
• You should not bring food in
• You should not talk so loud when entering the building
• You should check out the opening time to make sure you not end up going there and it is closed.
• You should be ready to queue at least 1 hour
• And enjoy the experience

Location

- Located in the center of Ba Dinh Square (Vietminh leader Ho Chi Minh, read the Declaration of Independence on 2 September 1945, establishing the Democratic Republic of Vietnam)

Opening hours

- Monday – Saturday: 7h -10.30h Am

- Sunday: 7h – 11h Am

Stories behind the name

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (Vietnamese: Lăng Chủ tịch Hồ Chí Minh)

History

- Built from September 2 1973 till August 29, 1975

- The structure was inspired by Lenin's Mausoleum in Moscow but incorporates distinct Vietnamese architectural elements, such as the sloping roof

Features

- The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is a large memorial in Hanoi

- The banner is "Nước Cộng Hòa Xã Hội Chủ Nghĩa Việt Nam Muôn Năm" - "State of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam forever"

- The mausoleum's portico has the words "Chủ tịch Hồ Chí Minh" (Chairman Ho Chi Minh)

- The gardens surrounding the mausoleum have nearly 250 different species of plants and flowers, all from different regions of Vietnam

- The embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh is preserved in the cooled, central hall of the mausoleum

What can we do nearby

- Line up and visit the mausoleum ( no shorts or miniskirts) to see Ho Chi Minh embalmed body

- Walking around the square

- Enjoying the wind and do exercise in the evening in the square

- See lowering/pulling of the flag ceremony 

Photo gallery