1. General Introduction
The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is the resting place of President Ho Chi Minh – the great leader who guided Vietnam’s revolution to victory and led the country to independence. The mausoleum is located in Ba Dinh Square, Hanoi – where President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence on September 2, 1945, marking the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam).
2. Construction History
Groundbreaking date: September 2, 1973
Completion date: August 29, 1975
Location: Ba Dinh Square, Dien Bien Ward, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
Architectural style: A harmonious combination of traditional Vietnamese and Soviet architectural styles, with technical support from the former Soviet Union.
The mausoleum is a solid structure made of precious stones sourced from various regions of Vietnam. The exterior is clad in gray stone, creating a solemn and respectful atmosphere. Inside lies President Ho Chi Minh’s embalmed body, preserved in a glass chamber using modern technology.
3. Architecture & Design
Height: 21.6 meters
Width: 41.2 meters
The mausoleum consists of three main sections:
The base: A solid three-tier platform.
The middle section: The body of the mausoleum, surrounded by granite pillars.
The top section: A square-shaped roof resembling the traditional Vietnamese house roof.
In front of the mausoleum lies Ba Dinh Square, with 168 green grass squares and a 29-meter-high flagpole.
Behind the mausoleum are the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house, and a fish pond, all associated with his simple daily life.
4. Cultural and Historical Significance
The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is not only the final resting place of the Father of the Nation but also a sacred symbol of gratitude, respect, and pride for the Vietnamese people.
It serves as a "red address" (important historical site) for those learning about the country’s revolutionary history and instilling patriotism in younger generations.
Each year, millions of domestic and international visitors come to pay tribute, especially on significant dates such as:
National Day (September 2)
President Ho Chi Minh’s birthday (May 19)
His death anniversary (also September 2)
5. Visiting Regulations
Dress respectfully and appropriately
Maintain silence and order; no photography or filming in the chamber
Do not bring sharp or flammable objects
Respect the sacred atmosphere and follow instructions when queuing
6. Opening Hours
Summer (April 1 – October 31): 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday)
Winter (November 1 – March 31): 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday)
Closed on Mondays and Fridays (except national holidays)
7. Flag Raising Ceremony
- Time: 6:00 am daily (may be a little earlier in the summer)
- Content: The honor guard (34 soldiers from the Mausoleum Protection Command) will march from behind the mausoleum to Ba Dinh Square, performing the ceremony of raising the national flag to the top of the flagpole while the national anthem solemnly plays.
8. Flag Lowering Ceremony
- Time: 9:00 pm daily
- Content: Also with the honor guard formation, the flag lowering ceremony takes place in a quiet, solemn atmosphere. The flag is lowered, carefully folded and brought to the storage place.