The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is a large granite tomb located in the center of Ba Dinh Square, Hanoi. It houses the embalmed body of Vietnam’s former communist leader and founding president, Ho Chi Minh (1890–1969).
It was Ho Chi Minh’s desire that on his death he be cremated and his ashes scattered in the country’s three main regions. Contrary to his wishes, the country’s Communist Party chose to have his body pickled and put on display, much like Lenin’s is in Moscow (the Russians are said to have been closely involved in helping Vietnam). Construction of the Mausoleum was from 1973 to 1975, when it was inaugurated. The building is constructed of grey granite and is rather severe looking, especially on a gloomy day. It is said that the body of the beloved leader lies in a glass case under military honor-guard watch.
The Mausoleum is a site of national pilgrimage. It’s only open on Tuesday–Thursday and weekend mornings We did not enter the building (not that I would have wanted to), but it was interesting to see the complex.
The guards watching the outside of the tomb were smartly dressed, but looked a little bored.
