Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

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About Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, or Lang Chu Tich Ho Chi Minh, is where Vietnam's venerated late leader is laid to rest. It is located on Hung Vuong Avenue, on the western part of Hanoi. Photography is not allowed inside, so I only photographed it from the outside. In fact I never entered the mausoleum to pay a visit to "Uncle Ho", because I found it too troublesome to deposit all my camera gear. So I am quite satisfied to cover it from the outside.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum fronts Ba Dinh Square, a manicured patch of turf where Ho Chi Minh delivered Vietnam's declaration of independence in 1945. Despite his wish to be cremated, he was too reverred to have that wish granted. So instead his remains were embalmed and kept in a glass casket where temperature and humidity is monitored. And there is stays, to be viewed (and intendedly, admired) by an unending stream of visitors. The number of visitors (I could almost call them devotees) queueing to visit Uncle Ho is quite astounding.

Getting there

If you are staying in the vicinity of Ho Hoan Kiem, then the most practical way to reach the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is by taxi, since it is quite a distance to walk (even though in fact you can walk). Using the Ho Hoan Kiem as the starting point, go west along Hang Khay Street. It becomes Trang Thi Street. Eventually you reach a split; the right branch is Dien Bien Phu Street. Take that street, crossing the railway track and continuing on until you see the Army Museum on your right, and the triangular park on your left. The Lenin Statue is quite visible on the park. Continue along Dien Bien Phu Street, and it eventually leads you to Ba Dinh Square. The mausoleum is in front of the square. Entrance to the mausoleum is however on the other endat Ngoc Ha Street, near the Ho Chi Minh Museum. Ask your taxi to drop you there.

Nearby Sights

Vietnam Fine Arts Museum