A comprehensive guide to visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, one of Hanoi's most iconic landmarks.

Tran Thi Bao made an overnight bus journey to ensure she arrived in time for the 6 a.m. flag-raising ceremony at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

On that September morning, the rain was steady. By 5:30 a.m., just 90 minutes after Bao and other travelers from afar had reached Hanoi, the sky remained a somber gray with no trace of sunlight.

The trip from Long San Village in Nghe An province to Hanoi takes seven hours on rural roads. For Bao and her companions, however, this journey was essential to pay respects to their beloved leader.

For international visitors, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum stands as a significant attraction, offering a deep dive into the history, culture, and values of Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh, revered as the father of modern Vietnam and the founder of its Communist Party, is a highly respected figure among the Vietnamese, though he remains a polarizing figure to those opposed to communism.

Ho Chi Minh served as the president of North Vietnam for 25 years, and his leadership during the communist era represents the Vietnamese struggle for independence from the anti-communist South and its allies, including the United States.

Affectionately called 'Uncle Ho' by the Vietnamese, Ho Chi Minh remains a central figure in the nation's history. For many, visiting his mausoleum is a deeply significant honor, one that justifies the long journey undertaken by countless citizens.

The heart of Vietnam

While exact visitor statistics are difficult to track – as government officials have shared there is no definitive number – it’s estimated that over a million people visit each year.

With Ho Chi Minh's passing on September 2, 1969, marking its 50th anniversary in 2019, this year holds special significance for the Vietnamese people, and foreign visitors can expect to see an influx of local travelers in Hanoi.

Bao traveled with fellow community members to honor the great leader who restored freedom and independence to their country.

She, along with many others, gathered in the expansive space in front of the imposing, concrete mausoleum, awaiting the daily flag ceremony led by the military. The procession was a vibrant display of synchronized marching, accompanied by music.

‘No chewing gum allowed’

Hanoi, known for its aromatic street food, charming Old Quarter, and scenic Hoàn Kiếm Lake, is often the starting point for travelers exploring Vietnam, drawing a steady flow of international visitors.

Ba Dinh Square, the area surrounding Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, is a stark contrast to the lively Old Quarter of Hanoi. While a few vendors behind the Mausoleum sell pho and sodas later in the day, the atmosphere here is far more businesslike compared to the main streets of the capital.

Security around the mausoleum is stringent, with frequent signs in both Vietnamese and English warning visitors: 'No entry,' 'No chewing gum,' 'Restricted area – No trespassing.'

The respect and reverence for Ho Chi Minh is evident among the crowd, mostly Vietnamese, who arrive early in the morning, lining up patiently for entry to the mausoleum.

This is Bao’s second visit to the mausoleum, which has been open since 1975. Her previous visit was back in 1998.

Bao shares that the purpose of her visit is to 'show our respect to Uncle Ho.' She will have just about 60 seconds to express this admiration.

Free entry

Entry is free but brief. However, for visitors like Bao and Tran Dai Loi – a veteran of the Vietnam War (1955-1975) from Nghe An province, Ho’s birthplace – the short duration is not a cause for frustration.

Just before 7:30 a.m., when the Mausoleum opens, visitors line up behind barriers. This occurs only after passing through security, where water bottles and cameras are prohibited inside the sacred area.

Loi visited the Mausoleum once before in 1979, but he says he would come every year if his health and finances allowed. He calls Hanoi the 'heart of the country' and credits Ho Chi Minh with making the beautiful and prosperous life in Vietnam today possible.

Like the women in the group, Loi is dressed respectfully in military uniform, proudly displaying his war medals, including one with Ho Chi Minh’s image, which he refers to as the medal of Vietnam’s military veterans.

Bao and Loi are traveling with a group of 20 to 30 former members of a teacher’s association and youth volunteer organization, many of whom are elderly.

“We are all old now,” Bao says, emphasizing the importance of making this pilgrimage while they are still able.

The 50th anniversary is, of course, a significant reason for their visit.

Paying respects to Ho Chi Minh’s body

A red carpet guides visitors into the building and toward the cool, dimly lit room where Ho Chi Minh’s body is preserved. Inside, the atmosphere is heavy with silence, broken only by the faint sound of footsteps on the thin carpet.

Ho’s body is guarded by four soldiers, with five other solemn officials overseeing the space. As visitors enter, many offer a small bow to Ho’s right side before taking their turn to stand before his body, which rests peacefully in a raised glass case bathed in soft, yellow light.

This arrangement allows visitors the opportunity to bow in respect to Ho and offer their gratitude – or, for curious foreigners, a chance to get a closer look at the revered leader.

Any attempts to linger are quickly discouraged, as a guard stationed in this key area will promptly tap you on the shoulder and signal it's time to move along. Visitors don’t really stop in front of Ho; they merely slow down, pausing for a split second before being gently ushered forward.

The entire time spent inside the main hall is brief, barely lasting a moment. There’s little else to see in the mausoleum itself, though the surrounding grounds offer a peaceful spot to explore, especially if you enjoy flowers and open spaces.

This strict procedure has a silver lining. The line outside, although long at times and subject to rain (with most of it covered), moves efficiently, allowing most visitors to pass through before the mausoleum closes – 10:30 a.m. Tuesday to Thursday and 11 a.m. on weekends. (The mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays.)

This leaves plenty of time to explore the rest of Hanoi. The capital has much to offer, and after a quick stop at the mausoleum, you may begin to notice the various images and references to Ho Chi Minh throughout the city, which could take on even greater significance.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, 8 Hung Vuong, Dien Bien, Ba Dinh, Hanoi, Vietnam