Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Hanoi

This was strange. First of all, I felt like I was doing something wrong by visiting this "monument". It was probably because I served in the Army under guys who had fought in Vietnam. Second...it was just wierd. Lines of foreign tourists stand silently in a cold (40 degrees) room and look at a body. The body does not appear real. Locals say that it is not real, but rather wax. It looks like wax. Around the body there are uniformed soldiers whose only job is to shush onlooking tourists. You get your brief look and then file out. The rediculous thing is: Ho Chi Mihn did not want to be on display like Lenin, he wanted to be buried.

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The Ba Dinh Square is a big communist style open square located just in front of the famous Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Despite the modernisation and chaotic nature of Hanoi, standing at this square is a good reminder that you are still in a communist country. This place is of historical significance because at this very place, Ho Chi Minh read out the Declaration of Independence of Vietnam on 2nd September 1945. Nowadays, military parades and ceremonies attended by high ranking officials sometimes take place at this square.

The Ho Chi Minh Museum (Bao Tang Ho Chi Minh) is lan impressive Soviet style building ocated just next to the famous One Pillar Pagoda and near to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. The opening hours are:
Tuesday to Thursday, and Saturday to Sunday: 8-11.30am, 2-4pm.

Unfortunately I was there on a Friday so it did not open. I was told that this museum was opened in 1990 (100th aniversary of Ho Chi Minh's birth) and it basically celebrates his life and pibotal role which he played in the history of Vietnam. The exibits include things like photos, documents, his personal belongings etc.

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The Ho Chih Minh Mausoleum (Lang Chu Tich Ho Chi Minh) was built by the former Soviet Union as a gift to the Vietnamese. It was opened in August 1975 although Ho Chi Minh himself died in 1969. Opening hours (free admission) are as follows:

April to October: Tuesday to Thursday (7.30am to 10.30am), Saturday to Sunday (7.30am to 11am).

November to March: Tuesday to Thursday (8-11am), Saturday to Sunday (8-11.30am).

From the above, you will see that it opens during certain days of the week only and during mornings, so do take note. Unfortunately, I did not have a chance to go inside because I was there on a Friday. However, I managed to take some photos of the outside facade and explore the surrounding areas. What I know is that the main highlight inside is Ho Chi Minh's body in a glass casket. Usually, there are long queues and all belongings, cameras etc are not allowed. Dress code and strict behavour (e.g. no laughing and jokes) must be observed or the guards will warn you. Do take note to check beforehand whether Ho Chi Minh's body is inside the mausoleum, because sometimes it may be sent to Russia for re-embalming.

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Here lies Uncle Ho, with guards at each corner of his bier. In fact, guards are stationed at all corners of the Mausoleum. Strict silence must be observed and personal possessions (eg. bags) and camera are NOT allowed in the Mausoleum but can be placed at the office south of the Mausoleum.

Entrance fee: 4,000d

This is definately a must place to visit if you are in Hanoi.

Build in contrary to his desire of a cremation, he is not being placed inside a huge cement building in the centre of Hanoi city. This complex was completed in 1975. If you go around noon you might be able to witness the change of guards.

Note on opening hour 8am till 11am (last entry at 10.45am) on Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat and Sun only. MONDAY IS CLOSE

NOTE : on my last visit in Dec 2006, you are required to leave your bag in a luggage rooms with no charges but the ladies there will try to sell you some information brochure for some crazy price, refuse and tell them you are not interested in buying it.

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Everyone goes to this but who would blame you if you missed it?

You queue for a while, get glared at by various guards, cannot keep your camera, umbrella, have your bags searched rather brusquely and then you have about 5 minutes at the most to view Ho. Personally, I found the Military Museum a lot more rewarding in terms of revering Ho.

Afterwards you get to visit the garden etc in a much more pleasant and relaxed way.

Opening hours: Summer 7.30-11am 2-4pm
Winter 8.00-11am 1.30-4.00pm

Closed Weekend, Monday and Friday afternoon.

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This is part of the HCM 'complex' that includes the mausoleum and his 'modest house on stilts.'

Ok. After the hushed and reverential tone of the mausoleum, this place comes as sort of a shock. There are tons of people everywhere, people aggressively trying to act as your 'guide,' (well, they do have offical badges, and say they'll take donations at the end.....) and busloads of school kids.

It's interesting, and, as you might imagine, a bit, well, what should we say, um, 'one sided,' in its presentation of the man and his work. You can't help but be a little impressed though.

There are great displays and tons and tons of text. Unfortunately, I didn't really have the patience to read though much (if any) of the explanations, but figured it was just as well.

While it's not a 'must see,' you may as well stop by since you're in the neighborhood.