Hanoi Itineraries: Tracing Uncle Ho's Footsteps (Western Circuit)

If you are planning to walk around the Hanoi district just like I did, you may wish to note that the Western Circuit will involve the longest walking distance out of the Old Quarter (approximately 25 minutes). You may wish to take this journey early in the morning as you will be able to avoid the massive crowds that will be visiting the tourist attractions you will be exploring in this circuit. Trust me, you will want these places to yourselves to capture the best photographs. Let’s start tracing Uncle Ho’s footsteps!

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Ba Dinh Square
Opening Hours: 0730h – 1030h (Tue – Thu), 0730h – 1100h (Sat – Sun)
Entrance Fee: Free

Nuoc Cong Hoa Xa Hoi Chu Nghia Viet Nam Muon Nam
(Long Live the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam)

Possibly the most symbolic icon in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum contains the embalmed body of the esteemed Vietnamese revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh who died in 1969. Early in the morning, large crowds of Vietnamese form up in front of the mausoleum to pay their respects to Uncle Ho whom they very much respect, as he is recognised as the most significant leader who helped the country earn independence. I was really impressed with how strong the nationalistic sentiments are around here and the way they worship the man is pretty astounding.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum - Uncle Ho's final resting place

You may wish to note that you are not allowed to bring cameras or mobile phones into the mausoleum, as this location is treated by the Vietnamese with great respect. If you would like to visit the mausoleum, you will have to form up in a queue and enter the building where you will be able to catch a glimpse of Uncle Ho. From September to November, the mausoleum will be closed though, as the body will be sent to Moscow for repair, so you may wish to make alternative arrangements but you can still admire the exterior of the building from Ba Dinh Square nevertheless. Just be wary to stand behind the yellow line when taking photographs – don’t get too excited, lest the guards in white come chasing after you!

Presidential Palace

Opening Hours: 0800h – 1130h (Tue – Thu), 1400h – 1600h (Sat – Sun)

Entrance Fee: VND 40,000

Taking a peek into the Presidential Palace

This mustard yellow building was originally supposed to be Ho Chi Minh’s official residence, but the humble man had chosen to live in a traditional stilt house instead. Nevertheless, the French architectural style adds a new flavour to the Soviet-styled building. Tourists, however, are only permitted to visit the gardens and the man’s old stilt house which will definitely offer you a glimpse into how Uncle Ho lived back in the day. 

House No. 54 where Uncle Ho lived and worked since 1954

The entire location will draw both the nature lovers (with the well-kept botanical gardens) and the history buffs (with the artefacts left behind by Ho Chi Minh like his antique cars). The carp pond certainly offers a sense of tranquillity which you may yearn after days of hustle and bustle in the Old Quarter, while Uncle Ho’s simplistic style in terms of his furniture and design of his rooms sheds light on how humble a man he truly was. 

One Pillar Pagoda

Opening Hours: 0800h – 1700h (Daily)

Entrance Fee: Free

Another symbolic icon of Hanoi, the One Pillar Pagoda is a little temple which sits on a single wooden column right down the centre of the building. It is believed to bless its devotees with fertility and health. Resembling a lotus flower which represents enlightenment in Buddhism, this temple was believed to be built by Emperor Ly Thai Tong to thank the deities for blessing him with a baby son resting on a lotus. You may either wish to take a look inside or make a simple stopover to get some photographs taken and grab some refreshments at the stands surrounding the temple.

One Pillar Pagoda decorated with flags of blue, yellow, red, white and orange representing the 5 elements

I believe that the pagoda had a significant historical and religious purpose which explains why the locals visit the temple to do their prayers. However, honestly speaking, I found the pagoda quite underwhelming as there was really not much you could do here, given its small stature. Nevertheless, its architectural uniqueness does make it worth snapping a few shots here and there, since it is in the vicinity of all the other attractions recommended in this itinerary.

Ho Chi Minh Museum

Opening Hours: 0800h – 1200h (Daily), 1400h – 1630h (Tue – Thu, Sat – Sun)

Entrance Fee: VND 40,000

Ho Chi Minh Museum is just a few steps away from the One Pillar Pagoda.

Hanoi has no shortage of museums, but many have said that the Ho Chi Minh Museum is the best of them all. The museum was purportedly constructed by the same Soviet engineers who erected the mausoleum. In my opinion, these two architectural buildings also serve the same purpose – the mausoleum preserves Uncle Ho’s physical being and the museum reinforces this by preserving Uncle Ho’s history and spirit and sharing his doctrines and beliefs with the world.

Uncle Ho welcomes you to the Ho Chi Minh Museum!

The museum expounds in great detail about Uncle Ho’s life from his early upbringing and education to his extensive travels across the world to salvage Vietnam from colonial rule, and subsequently to how he interprets the various branches of socialism like Marxism and Leninism to found the Vietnamese Communist Party. His political life and gifts received from various diplomats are also elaborated on and well represented in this museum.

Surprisingly though, many have described the exhibits as rather abstract and creative (most iconic of them all being the exhibit with life-size fruits), which is contrary to what we believe museums will present – cold, hard facts. During my trip to Hanoi, I passed on the museum given the limitations and time constraints, so after reading all the online reviews on this museum, I will certainly visit it when I return to Hanoi again!

Hope this little tour will allow you to have a better understanding about Ho Chi Minh, his influence on modern-day Vietnam and how well respected he is by the locals here. Let's take our first day trip out of the bustling city of Hanoi to neighbouring Ninh Binh Province - check it out here!

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