Ho Chi Minh Museum

Travelers who visit the Mausoleum of the first Vietnamese president Ho Chi Minh usually do not ignore the museum named in his honor. Both buildings are located in the central square of Hanoi – Ba Đình. They are parts of a single architectural ensemble along with the Presidential Palace, the One Pillar Pagoda, and the Ho Chi Minh's Stilt House where the former leader used to live.

The Ho Chi Minh Museum opened its doors on the day of Ho Chi Minh's 100th birthday, on May 19, 1990. If you are not sure whether to go there or not, keep in mind that shortly after the opening of the museum, UNESCO recognized Ho Chi Minh as a national hero-liberator and outstanding cultural figure of Vietnam.

Visiting the Ho Chi Minh Museum's exposition is like going on an exciting journey through the country's past. Here you can not only learn about the personality and socio-political activities of Ho Chi Minh but also get to know the local history and culture, feel the revolution, and the difficult struggle of the Vietnamese people for independence from foreign powers.

The museum's collection includes more than 100 thousand various items: from Ho Chi Minh's personal belongings to documents of national importance, from random photos to an entire library, from traditional handicrafts made of wood and stone to crafts made and brought here by modern Vietnamese as a sign of deep respect.

In addition to the main exhibition, the museum staff often organize temporary exhibitions and special events like scientific conferences, research projects, educational seminars, and creative workshops.

The building itself also deserves special attention. Due to its unusual shape, it resembles a white lotus flower, which symbolizes the nobility of the Vietnamese and is associated with Ho Chi Minh himself.

The museum is located near the mausoleum. They even have the same height, although the museum looks more attractive. Strict geometric forms are combined with traditional Asian architectural elements, and the snow-white color of the facade gives hope for a bright future of Vietnam thanks to the great heritage left by Ho Chi Minh.