Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Hanoi

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83 Reviews of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

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Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum
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frankcanfly 2603 reviews
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Well, I didn't make it here before closing time on my last day, so I didn't get to go inside.

But Ho Chi Minh himself is in there, in a clear box so you can see him in the Flesh! I've seen V.I. Lenin and Chairman Mao in the same manner.... What is it with these communist revolutionaries???

Open from 9am to 11am; Tue-Sun. Prepare to wait in a long, yet quick moving, line.

Updated Mar 26, 2007

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Ho Chi Minh's body?
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bchurchill 66 reviews
The main square adjacent to the monument

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.

Updated Mar 12, 2007

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Ba Dinh Square
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victorwkf 4529 reviews
Ba Dinh Square, Hanoi, Vietnam
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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.

Written Mar 2, 2007

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Ho Chi Minh Museum
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victorwkf 4529 reviews
Ho Chi Minh Museum, Hanoi, Vietnam

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.

Written Mar 2, 2007

Phone: 04-8463752

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 Museum Visits
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Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
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victorwkf 4529 reviews
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Hanoi, Vietnam
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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.

Written Mar 2, 2007

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Ho Chi Minh's Mousoleum
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SengQuee 123 reviews
Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum
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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

Updated Jan 23, 2007

Address: 60 A2, Hung Vuong Street

Phone: +84 04 8455128

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Uncle's Ho Resting Place
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yeikloen 219 reviews
Uncle Ho Is Sleeping With 4 Guards

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.

Updated Dec 6, 2006

Address: On Hung Vuong Road

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Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
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albaaust 639 reviews
Pamphlet on the surrounds
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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.

Updated Oct 27, 2006

Address: No 1 Bach Thao, Ba Dinh

Related to:
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 Historical Travel
 Budget Travel

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Ho Chi Minh Museum
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ellielou 229 reviews
it supposed to be metaphorical
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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.

Written Aug 18, 2006

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go see 'the man'
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ellielou 229 reviews

The first time I was in Hanoi, I was really anxious to go to Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum. Little did I know that he wasn't there, but was in Moscow for his yearly embalming touch-up. What a grand disappointment!

Well, a great reason to return was to see HCM in the flesh, as it were. And, not only had I missed the chance to see him the first time, I had never, ever been to a mausoleum, so I was doubly excited.

If you're in Hanoi, and he's not in Moscow, well, it's a must see. Do NOT even entertain the thought of missing this. Sure, the lines are long, and loads of tourists too, but it's all worth it. The experience of standing in line, from being annoyed and slightly amused at the entire thing (no offense meant here) to the mood of everyone changing to solemn and referential, is pretty incredible to witness.

You're actually in the mausoleum pretty briefly (the waiting in line to seeing what you came to see ratio is not good), but it's an incredible experience, and, for some reason, it's shocking to see how tiny Ho Chi Minh really was. I won't give away any more. Promise!

Written Aug 18, 2006

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