Construction began on September 2, 1973, and the Mausoleum was inaugurated on August 29, 1975, when the country had just been reunified. Since then, it has welcomed generations of Vietnamese people and international friends coming to pay respects to President Ho Chi Minh.
Following the stream of people into the Mausoleum, you move from the open sky outside into the memorial space where his remains are preserved. The visit takes place in order and silence; visitors move according to instructions and do not take photographs inside. Reserve that moment to remember and feel in your own way.
Local people and tourists come to Ba Dinh to pay respects to Uncle Ho. Archival photo
From the green grass plots to the moment the flag is lowered
Stepping outside, look at the bamboo gardens on both sides of the Mausoleum and the thousands of cycads in front of the two rostrums. The greenery softens the architectural lines, bringing the familiar features of the homeland into the landscape.
The grass plots on the square also have their own story: their shape evokes the mats spread out in the courtyards of Vietnamese village communal houses. Walking along the small paths, you can both take in the overall view and recognize village features in the solemn space.
In the evening, when the honor guard advances toward the flagpole, attention turns to the national flag. Each even step and the solemn lowering and folding of the flag create a memorable moment during a visit to Ba Dinh.
The flag-lowering ceremony on Ba Dinh Square. Archival photo
