Ho Chi Minh Complex in Hanoi

• Location: No 1 Hoang Hoa Tham street, Ba Dinh District | Ngoc Ha, Ba Dinh, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam
• Recommended reason: the most solemn attraction in Hanoi

Ho Chi Minh Complex is one of must-visit and the most solemn attraction in Hanoi, Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh was born on May 19, 1890, and died on September 2, 1969. He is the founder of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, the first chairman of the Vietnamese Labor Party and the great proletarian revolutionary. UNESCO said that he "devote his life's energy and efforts to the cause of national liberation and the Vietnamese people."

In order to commemorate the great man of President Ho Chi Minh, the Vietnamese government and people built the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, the Ho Chi Minh Residence, the One Pillar Temple and the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Hall, collectively known as the Ho Chi Minh Complex.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is the place where the body of President Ho Chi Minh is placed. According to his will, the body should be cremated and the ashes are buried in the hills of the North. But in order to enable him to "see" the complete unity of Vietnam and to facilitate people to cherish the memory of the great man Uncle Ho, at that time, the Vietnamese government decided to preserve the remains and built the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

The Presidential Palace

The Presidential Palace is located on the right side of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, which was originally built as a governor's office of Indochina. It was built in 1901 by the French colonists of the time and the building was built in a typical French structure and style. In 1945, when Vietnam again had independence, it was renamed the Presidential Palace. The Vietnamese government took over in 1954 and was mainly used to hold senior external meeting. However, Ho Chi Minh refused to live in this luxurious building.

House No.54

Ho Chi Minh's residence is the place where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked in here from 1954 to 1958. This house used to belong to an electrician, who took care of the Governor Palace. Ho Chi Minh came back to Hanoi and just stayed at this small house (House No.54). The interior is very plain and simple and the environment is quiet. Walking around can feel the simple life of Ho Chi Minh.

Ho Chi Minh's Stilt House

The upper level of the former residence is Ho Chi Minh's office and bedroom, and the lower level is the conference room. When Ho Chi Minh was alive, most of meetings of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam were held here. On the west side of the house is a corridor, on the east side there are offices, reception rooms and rest rooms.

The Stilt House was completed on May 17th 1958 and was indeed a meaningful present for his 68th birthday. Uncle Ho moved to live and work there. But he still backed to House No.54 every day for lunch, dinner and personal hygiene. The whole high-rise house is as simple and elegant as its owner.

One Pillar Temple

The One Pillar Temple is located behind the mausoleum and was built in 1049 under the reign of Ly Thai Tong, which is the most characteristic and iconic temple in Vietnam. The pagoda looks like a lotus blossoming from the square pond. There are many local legends about its construction. It is said that King Ly Thanh Tong had no son until he dreamed a Goddess of Mercy who sitting on a lotus flower gave him a boy. In return for the gift from the Goddess of Mercy, the king ordered the construction of a pagoda in the shape of a lotus.

Ho Chi Minh Memorial Hall

The museum is located on an area of the historical Ba Dinh square and near the One Pillar pagoda. It was commenced in August 1985 and inaugurated on May 19th 1990 right on the birth centenary anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh.

The Ho Chi Minh Memorial Hall is like a lotus flower, with 20 meters high and three floors. In the center of the first floor, there is a hall with 400 seats, which can host domestic and international meetings, conferences and scientific seminars. The main exhibition area collects the things used by Ho Chi Minh’s life and 2000 documents, showing Ho Chi Minh’s life and revolutionary cause.