Ho Chi Minh House, Hanoi

Nha San Bac Ho was Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house built in the style of Vietnam’s ethnic minorities though unlikely he spent all that much time on the grounds during the war as it would have been leveled by US bombers had the great one been suspected of residing here. It is nonetheless an interesting place to see how the Communist leader modernized how the lower classes were living. It is also a peaceful place to spend some time in between visiting the Mausoleum and Ho Chi Minh Museum. Admission included in Presidential Palace price.

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When you are visiting the famous Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, there is a beautiful botanical gardens called Cong Vien Back Thao just behind the Mausoleum for you to explore as well as the Ho Chi Minh Stilt House (Nha San Bac Ho) where Ho Chi Minh worked and lived from 1958 to 1969. This house is made of wood and well-preserved.

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Ho Chi Minh's residence is next to the Presidential Palace and set amongst nice gardens.

Ho Chi Minh was known as a person who shunned the luxury of the Presidential Palace and lived in the Palace Electricians house under humble conditions for a period of 4 years.
In 1958, he moved to the house on stilts. Here, you can have a look in the house, and it is just how he left it, all the furniture and settings are still there, just as it was in the 60's.

He worked here and lived here from 1958 until his passing in 1969. Downstairs was where he received his guests from foreign dignitaries to school children.

The gardens are nice and there is a large pond which Ho Chi Minh had stocked with Carp and you can still see them. It was in the gardens where he practised Martial Arts and Tai Chi with his guards. An interesting place to visit.

I visited here with my City tour.

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Looking at the Stilt house and its surroundings will show that Ho Chi Minh's (fondly called "Uncle Ho") simplicity and modesty. It's no wonder all Vietnamese are proud of him, respected and loved him.

Facts about the Stilt House
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* a place where HCM lived and worked from 1958 to 1969
* It is a simple and basic house.
* built in the stype of Vietnam's ethnic minorities
* surrounded by a garden and carp-filled pond

Ho Chi Minh is the greatest hero of Vietnam, and his presence can be felt in many places in Hanoi. Of course there is the famous Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum which houses his remains, the Ho Chi Minh's Stilt House. He can also be found in many sourvenirs e.g. mini-statues, postcards etc and you will also see his graphics and photos on the street such as this poster in Hanoi.

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Ho Chi Minh was a man of simple tastes. He led a simple life and refused to stay in the opulent Presidential Palace. Instead, he lived in a tribal-style house on stilts overlooking a carp pond in a quiet and shaded park. The modest living quarters consist of two small rooms. There are no toilets, washing, cooking or dining facilities as Ho Chi Minh preferred to take a walk to an adjacent annex building some 50 meters away from his house. An open-air meeting room with 11 chairs occupies the lower level where Ho Chi Minh held meetings with his cadre members.

Ho Chi Minh lived in this house for a number of years [dates later] -- it IS simple, but it is also very tasteful. It is amazingly open to the elements -- I just hope the rain in the rainy season comes straight down!

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The complex which includes Ho Chi Minh’s famous House on Stilts, houses other buildings where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked in most of his revolutionary life (from December 19, 1954 to September 2, 1969). On view are some of his rooms such as his living quarters, dining room and study plus you'll also see a couple of his personal cars.

Open: 8-11am & 1.30-4pm every day except Monday and Friday afternoon. Admission: 15,000 VND.

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Located within the grounds of the Presidential Palace, to the north of his mausoleum is a simple wooden house on stilts which Uncle Ho lived and worked at instead of the Presidential Palace itself. He lived here between May 1958 and August 1969 and so it's become a national symbol. Set in a stretch of mango-filled parkland around a small pond, this is a refreshing spot to take a wander around, and Ho Chi Minh's bungalow is indeed very nice. Built of polished wood, the bungalow has a light and airy feel to it, or as the brochure reads Uncle Ho's House on Stilts is a symbol of his simplicity and gentleness. There are only some rooms here, but all of them are full of wind, light and fragrance from the garden...

Open: 8-11am & 1.30-4pm every day except Monday and Friday afternoon. Admission: 15,000 VND.

Just as you are ushered through the exit of the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, you will reach the entrance to the former residence of Ho Chi Minh. This is where Uncle Ho lived in. As you enter you will see an imposing colonial building - the former Presidential Palace. However, Uncle Ho preferred to stay in a simple modest residence a short walk away from the palace.

Here you will see the beautiful fish pond, the pergola, an orchard, displays of two cars (a Peugeot and a Russian-made car) which Uncle Ho used to commute in and living quarters where he stayed. It showcases the simplicity of Uncle Ho's life.

Also within the compound is a house-on-stilts where Uncle Ho used to work in and have his meetings with other officials. Behind it is a bomb shelter.

Opening time:
Summer: 0730-1100 and 1400-1600
Winter: 0800-1100 and 1330-1600
(Closed on Friday afternoon & Monday)