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VietnamDescription and is it worth visiting
The Mausoleum in Hanoi is the eternal resting place of Vietnam's greatest leader - President Ho Chi Minh, or as he is sometimes affectionately called - Uncle Ho. The inscription on the pediment of the structure reads "Chu Tich Ho-Chi-Minh", which means "President Ho Chi Minh". Here, in a glass sarcophagus, lies the body of the leader.
Anyone, including foreign tourists, can enter the mausoleum completely free of charge and see Ho Chi Minh's body. But it should be remembered that this is a very important, almost sacred place for Vietnamese people. Inside, even stricter rules apply than when visiting temples: photography and videography are strictly prohibited, talking is prohibited, you must follow the route and not linger, you cannot bring bags and backpacks (they are checked into a storage room), you must turn off your cell phone, and of course, no shorts, beach flip-flops, tank tops or miniskirts. There are always many people wishing to visit the mausoleum, so you will have to wait in line and plan about 1 hour for the entire visit. In general, the visiting procedure, although free, is not that simple, and is described in more detail below in the "How to get there" section. After visiting the mausoleum, it is recommended to continue exploring other attractions on Ba Dinh Square, for example the Ho Chi Minh Museum or the tourist part of the Presidential Palace.
But it's not a problem if you can't get inside: a walk around the mausoleum will also be interesting. And also, be sure to come here in the evening when it gets dark. At dusk, the mausoleum is beautifully illuminated.
Important! Previously, Ba Dinh Square, where the mausoleum is located, could be visited freely at any time and without restrictions. But now access to it and all the attractions on it is limited by strict security measures and a dress code. To get here, you need to go through one of the checkpoints on the south or north side, where all your belongings will be checked. Lighters, weapons and items resembling weapons, even pocket knives, are not allowed. You may also not be allowed in if you are wearing a tank top, short shorts or a skirt.
There are no storage lockers for prohibited items. There are no free cover-ups, but "hawkers" hang around the entrance offering to buy a cover-up for 200,000 dong (30,000 after bargaining).
🕐 Opening hours
For external viewing, the mausoleum is available 24/7; you can only enter the mausoleum in the morning from 07:00 to 11:00 (in fact, they stop letting visitors in at 10:30). It is also closed annually for 2 months for maintenance (in September and October), when the body is taken to Russia for "maintenance".
💵 Entrance fee / ticket prices
Entrance is free.
🚶 How to get there
The mausoleum is located on Ba Dinh Square in the center of Hanoi and about two kilometers from Hoan Kiem Lake and the tourist district (Mausoleum on the map). You can get to Ba Dinh Square from the tourist district and from Hoan Kiem Lake by:
- Walking (2.5 kilometers)
- Taxi from 45,000 dong (1.71 USD) when ordering through Grab, Maxim, Xanh Sm, InDrive apps
- City buses from 10,000 dong (0.38 USD), many routes operate.
From other districts of Hanoi, it is also easy to get there by taxi or city buses.
More details about Hanoi transport and how to get around are explained in the instructions here.
So, to get into the mausoleum or even just look at it from the outside, you first need to get to Ba Dinh Square. Entry to the square is through checkpoints with inspection of all items and with a dress code (tank tops, short skirts and shorts, revealing clothing, lighters, knives, weapons and items resembling weapons are prohibited). Checkpoints are located on the south and north sides of the square (north entrance to the square on the map, south entrance to the square on the map). There is also an entrance on the west side (mausoleum entrance on the map), but during our last trip in 2025 it was not working, and possibly will not work anymore.
After entering the territory, you will immediately see a queue on the square of those wishing to get inside, of course only during the mausoleum's opening hours. Get in this queue and simply follow the staff's instructions. Once again, we remind you: photography and videography are prohibited inside, behavior is strictly monitored. You need to move with the flow, lingering is not allowed.