Vietnam, Hanoi, Mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh

(CW 2000)

According to the leaflet "The Mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh is an architectural work of great political and ideological importance for the Vietnamese people". 

The construction of the Mausoleum started in September 1973 on the foundations of the old rostrum in Ba Dinh Square where president Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence on 2 September 1945. The mausoleum was completed nearly 2 years later on 29 August 1975. On the front of the Mausoleum is engraved "Chu Tich Ho Chi Minh," meaning "President Ho Chi Minh". You can watch Uncle Ho's body laying in a glass coffin, dressed in his faded khaki clothes and plain rubber shoes. 

September 2 2000

The capital’s Ba Ninh Square was as much a focus 55 years ago as it was this weekend in September 2000. Then loyal troops and the people gathered to hear President Ho Chi Minh deliver the historic Declaration of Independence which gave birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. Another Independence Day was marked 10 years later in 1955 when President Ho Chi Minh and his soldiers defeated the occupying French. This year, the scenes of celebration yesterday, – there as across the Nation – didn’t change. However the celebrated Square has changed– but only physically. His Mausoleum now stands guard over it, where yesterday thousands gathered in celebration of his time-honored sentiments.

September 2 2000

Youngsters make a colorful salute in Hanoi's Ba Nình Square on Saturday as they pass President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. They were just a section of a massive parade to mark, and celebrate, the 55th anniversary of his Declaration of Independence. Nationwide celebrations marked the Day when Uncle Hoà then pledged: "Vietnam has the right to enjoy freedom and independence and in fact has become a free and independent country." And across the country yesterday millions were confirming and celebrating that, aided by firework displays. That made them proud to be part of that still-new Nation. 

Tributes to President Ho and the war martyrs (September 2, 2000)

(VNS, September 4 2000, photo: Minh Nien)

A delegation of the Party Central Committee, the State, the National Assembly, the Government, and the Fatherland Front on Friday paid floral tributes to President Ho Chi Minh and war martyrs at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the War Monument marking Vietnam’s 55th National Day. Prominent among the delegates were Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieâu, advisors to the Party Central Committee Noa Moi and Vo Van Kiet, President Tran Ñoc Long, Prime Minister Phan Van Khai, President of the Presidium of the Fatherland Front Central Committee Pham The Duyet, and Vice Chairman of the National Assembly, Mai Thuc Lan. The same day other delegations of mass organizations, public offices, the diplomatic corps and international organizations also laid wreaths at the President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the War Martyrs Monument.

Leaders pay tribute to Uncle Ho (May 18, 2001)

(Nhan Dan, Weekend issue, May 19-20, 2001)

A delegation of the Party Central Committee (PCC), the State, the National Assembly, the government and the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee (VFFCC) led by General Secretary and NA Chairman Nong Duc Manh, State President Tran Duc Luong, Prime Minister Phan Van Khai and President of the Presidium of the VFFCC Pham The Duyet paid a floral tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his Mausoleum on May 18 on the occasion of his 111th birth anniversary. Other members of the delegation included Do Muoi and Vo Van Kiet, former advisors to the PCC; Le Kha Phieu, former PCC general secretary, Politburo members and revolutionaries. The delegation’s wreath bore the words: "Forever grateful to great President Ho Chi Minh." The delegation also offered incense at the President Ho Chi Minh relic site, in the Presidential Palace. Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh praised the staff of the President Ho Chi Minh relic site for the preservation of the relics and recommended they work harder to preserve the relics. The same day, a delegation of Hanoi and other delegations of ministries and sectors paid floral tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his Mausoleum.