Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum - Hanoi
Ho Chi Minh, former President of Vietnam, is commonly referred to as Bac Ho (Uncle Ho) by the local Vietnamese. Ho Chi Minh lived an extrodinary live traveling much of the world, learning and teaching before returning to Vietnam where he lead the fight for independence against the French, USA and the South.
Ho Chi Minh passed away on the 2nd Sept 1969, never to see the North's victory over the South, which he so passionately fought for.Today many of his admirers, along with travelers from all corners of the globe make a visit to the Mausoleum, his final resting place.
Built between 1973-75 the mausoleum is a massive structure set next to Ba Dinh Square, the location where he declared Indepenance for Vietnam on the 2nd Sept 1945 (the same day he passed away). Visitors line up and file through single file to capture a glimpse of this man. When visiting, it should be remembered that you are required to wear long pants, shoulders must be covered, hats removed, no talking inside and you can not take cameras/videos etc inside.
After visiting the Mausoleum, you continue through the beautiful grounds that Ho Chi Minh once called home. First, you see the impressive Presidental Palace before wondering along the path to see the stunning house on slits where Ho Chi Minh had lived prior to his death. If you continue further, you finally visit the One Pillar Pagoda and the Ho Chi Minh Museum.
The complex itself takes about 1-2 hours to visit, depending on lines and is something everyone visiting Hanoi should take the time to see.
The cost to visit the House On Stilts is 10,000VND while the Museum is the same price again. The Mausoleum is closed Mondays and Fridays, other days it is open from 8 - 11.00am only.