President Ho Chi Minh was born in May, 19^th 1890 in Nghe An province and passed away on September, 2^nd 1969 in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. He was recognized by UNESCO as the one who “devoted his whole life to the national liberation of the Vietnamese people…”.In honor of the President’s gratitude, the Government had the HochiminhComplex established inside capital Hanoi after he was gone. Built inNgoc Ha village, Ba Dinh district, Hanoi city, Hochiminh complexconsists of Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, Ba Dinh square, PresidentialPalace, Uncle Ho’s House on stilt, One pillar pagoda and Ho Chi MinhMuseum. Let’s now take a supposed tour to this special complex;

Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum

TheMausoleum, which was made of marble and granite, features athree-stored structure. In the second store places the famousPresident’s body, lying as if he were sleeping in the simple clothesworn when he was alive. Outside, visitors can see his popular quote“Khong co gi quy hon doc lap tu do” (translated as “Nothing is moreprecious than independence and freedom”) on the top face of themausoleum. In front of the mausoleum is the 79 cycad trees, symbolizingUncle Ho’s 79 springs of life. The two bamboo ranges on the two sideswhistle in the wind to commemorate the President!

Opening time: 5 days per week, except Monday and Friday
Cold seasons (from November to March): 8:00 a.m - 11:00 a.m
Hot seasons (from April to October): 7:30 a.m - 10:30 a.m
Closed once per year in October/ November/ or December for the body maintenance

Note: No camera, cell phone, bare-shoulder T-shirts, or mini skirts are allowed inside

Presidential Palace

Presidential Palace. Now walking a few steps, visitors will pass by the Presidential Palace, right  nextto the mausoleum. From 1901-1906, the palace was built by the Frenchcolonialists, as a palace of the General Indochina Governor. It has aspecial typical French structure and architecture. Since 1954, theVietnamese Government took over this Palace to house the President.Yet, he refused, thus it has been used as the Presidential Palace forhigh-ranking level diplomatic meetings since then.

Uncle Ho's House on Stilt

Ho Chi Minh’s Residence. Refusingto live in the Presidential palace, President Ho Chi Minh lived in anormal electrician’s house nearby. The Government had a simple andnature-oriented environment constructed for him to live and work.Walking around, visitors can feel his simple and pure lifestyle in anwooden tiled house on stilt (of the Ethnic minority group’s style),surrounded by a gardens full of fruit trees and a peaceful fishpond.

Cominginside, visitors can witness a site left in the genuine state of thePresident last days here. The house has two floors. The ground floorwas the meeting place, consisting of 12 chairs around a large table.Upstairs, there is a bookshelf used as a wattle between his study roomand bed room. The lowest level of the shelf is laid a small typewriterfor him to type himself. His bed room is very simple with a singlewooden bed, a small blanket, a rush mat, a fan made of palm leaves anda bottle of water. Visitors can see a cotton bonnet he used to wearwhen alive. Some books  periodicals he was reading are left on the table. The beloved President lived here from 1958 until he passed away.

One Pillar Pagoda. TheOne-Pillar Pagoda within the complex (behind the mausoleum and in frontof the Ho Chi Minh museum) is an ancient one built in 1049 under the LyDynasty. There’s an interesting legend referring the construction ofthe pagoda, telling that King Ly Thanh Tong had this pagoda constructedin the shape of a lotus, based upon his fairy dream, thanks to which hewas given a baby boy. Please come and explore the legend yourself!

Opening time: The pagoda is open daily from 8 a.m to 5 p.m. Entrance is free.

Note: Remember to wear full-length clothes when you visit any pagoda.

Ho Chi Minh Museum

Themuseum was built in the shape of a white lotus flower, which is nearly20m high, including 3 floors. In the centre of the ground floor, thereis a hall with 400 seats, which can host domestic and internationalmeetings, conferences and scientific seminars. The main exhibition areaof the museum is on the second floor covering an area of nearly 4,000square meters. More than 2,000 documents and show-pieces are displayed,systematically reflecting President Ho Chi Minh’s life and revolutioncause since late 19^th century. Coming here, tourists can share a part of Ho Chi Minh’s tough life.

The exhibition in the museum comprises three main contents:

• President Ho Chi Minh’s life and revolutionary cause, and Vietnamese people’s implementation of the President’s testament.
• Exhibitionon the Vietnamese people’s life, struggle and victory under theleadership of President Ho Chi Minh (on the right side of Ho Chi Minh’sbiography).
• Exhibition on the world’s history with major events since the late 19^th century. The exhibits are showcased in 8 halls (to the left of Ho Chi Minh’s biography).