The President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is a mausoleum which serves as the resting place of Vietnamese revolutionary leader and President Ho Chi Minh in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Introduction
The President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is a mausoleum which serves as the resting place of Vietnamese revolutionary leader and President Ho Chi Minh in Hanoi, Vietnam. It is a large building located in the center of Ba Dinh Square, where Ho, Chairman of the Workers' Party of Vietnam from 1951 until his death in 1969, read the Declaration of Independence on 2 September 1945, establishing the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. It is open to the public every morning except Monday.
Who is Ho Chi Minh?
Ho Chi Minh is widely regarded as a visionary leader who played a pivotal role in shaping the course of Vietnam's history. With his indomitable spirit and unwavering determination, Ho Chi Minh emerged as a revered figure, leading the Vietnamese people towards independence and self-determination. He spearheaded the revolutionary movement against foreign colonial powers, particularly the French and later the Americans, and ultimately paved the way for Vietnam's liberation. Ho Chi Minh's significant contributions and tireless efforts earned him the status of a revered statesman, inspiring generations with his devotion to the nation's welfare and his unwavering commitment to social justice and equality.
Ho Chi Minh President
President Ho Chi Minh’s embalmed body
Following the passing of President Ho Chi Minh on September 3, 1969, measures were taken to preserve Ho Chi Minh's body for posterity. In a joint effort between the Soviet Union and Vietnam, a team of Soviet scientists, renowned for their success in embalming Lenin's body, collaborated with a dedicated Vietnamese medical team to embalm Ho Chi Minh's remains. Ho Chi Minh's embalmed body found its resting place in a glass coffin within Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi, a site that draws thousands of visitors annually.
However, when the Soviet Union disbanded in 1991, the departure of all Soviet scientists posed a challenge for the preservation of President Ho Chi Minh's body. In response, the Vietnamese government initiated negotiations with Russia to relocate the production of the necessary preservation chemicals to Vietnam. Initially guarded by the Russian scientists, the formula for the preservation cocktail was finally shared in 2004, coinciding with Vietnam's official adoption of the technology.
President Ho Chi Minh's embalmed body stands as a testament to the Vietnamese people's admiration and respect for their beloved leader, preserving his memory and allowing visitors to pay their respects to this revered figure in Vietnamese history.
Please note that: wearing shorts, sleeveless T-shirts or hats is not permitted. You may be requested to store day packs, cameras and phones before you enter. Talking, putting your hands in your pockets and photography are strictly prohibited in the mausoleum. The queue usually snakes for several hundred meters to the mausoleum entrance and inside, filing past Ho’s body at a slow but steady pace.
The specific visiting hours of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum are as follows:
Summer & Fall (April 1 - October 31): Tuesday - Thursday and Saturday - Sunday, 7:30 a.m - 10:30 a.m
Winter & Spring (November 1 - March 31): Tuesday - Thursday and Saturday - Sunday, 8:00 a.m - 11:00 a.m
On Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays: visiting hours are extended by 30 minutes
If you can arrange the time in your trip, go to Ba Dinh Square to watch the flag raising and lowering ceremonies at 6 a.m and 9 p.m daily. These ceremonies will surely help bring more meanings to your trip and make you love this country even more.