The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is one of the most famous monuments in Vietnam. Due to its immense cultural and historical value, it attracts a large number of domestic and international visitors each year.
Coming to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, you can learn more about Ho Chi Minh’s life and his significance in Vietnamese history, as well as expand your understanding of the country through many nearby relics. This article will be the best guide for your first-ever trip to Ho Chi Minh Tomb. Read it to the end!
1. Who is Ho Chi Minh?
Ho Chi Minh is widely regarded as a visionary leader who played a pivotal role in shaping the course of Vietnam’s history. With his indomitable spirit and unwavering determination, Ho Chi Minh emerged as a revered figure, leading the Vietnamese people towards independence and self-determination. He spearheaded the revolutionary movement against foreign colonial powers, particularly the French and later the Americans, and ultimately paved the way for Vietnam’s liberation. Ho Chi Minh’s significant contributions and tireless efforts earned him the status of a revered statesman, inspiring generations with his devotion to the nation’s welfare and his unwavering commitment to social justice and equality.
Visiting Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is widely regarded by the Vietnamese as a prestigious honor, justifying the arduous journey undertaken by many citizens.
2. Where is Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum? How to get there?
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is located in the middle of Ba Dinh Square, where President Ho Chi Minh used to preside over rallies. The exact address is 2 Hung Vuong, Dien Bien Ward, Ba Dinh District. To get here, you can go by private vehicle or public bus.
If you ride motorbikes or drive cars on your own, remember to note the two parking spots on Ong Ich Khiem Street (opposite the Mausoleum Guard Command) and Ngoc Ha Street (the entrance to Ho Chi Minh Museum). If you take the bus, you can refer to some routes that pass by Ba Dinh Square, namely the buses number 09, 33, 22, 45, and 50.
3. The history and significance of the mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh
In his will, President Ho Chi Minh wanted to be cremated and had his ashes laid in the three regions of the country after his death, but according to the will of the Party and people at that time, the government decided to keep his body intact and placed it in the Mausoleum so that people can come to commemorate and visit him.
In January 1970, the Government of the Soviet Union and Vietnam met to discuss the design and construction techniques of the Mausoleum. Then, the task of designing the Mausoleum was approved by the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Party, with major support from Soviet experts.
On September 2nd, 1973, the groundbreaking ceremony of the mausoleum officially took place. On May 19th, 1975, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum was inaugurated. The Lenin’s Tomb in Moscow served as an inspiration for Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum’s design, which was altered to better suit Vietnamese customs and styles.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is a work of great significance, showing the deep feelings that Vietnamese people have for their leader. Today, Ho Chi Minh Tomb is not only a cultural and historical symbol of Hanoi but also attracts a large number of tourists to visit. Since its inauguration in 1975, many generations of Vietnamese people and millions of foreign visitors have come to this place.
4. President Ho Chi Minh’s embalmed body
Following the passing of President Ho Chi Minh on September 3, 1969, measures were taken to preserve Ho Chi Minh body for posterity. In a joint effort between the Soviet Union and Vietnam, a team of Soviet scientists, renowned for their success in embalming Lenin’s body, collaborated with a dedicated Vietnamese medical team to embalm Ho Chi Minh’s remains. Ho Chi Minh’s embalmed body found its resting place in a glass coffin within Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi, a site that draws thousands of visitors annually.
However, when the Soviet Union disbanded in 1991, the departure of all Soviet scientists posed a challenge for the preservation of President Ho Chi Minh body. In response, the Vietnamese government initiated negotiations with Russia to relocate the production of the necessary preservation chemicals to Vietnam. Initially guarded by the Russian scientists, the formula for the preservation cocktail was finally shared in 2004, coinciding with Vietnam’s official adoption of the technology.
President Ho Chi Minh’s embalmed body stands as a testament to the Vietnamese people’s admiration and respect for their beloved leader, preserving his memory and allowing visitors to pay their respects to this revered figure in Vietnamese history.
