Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House: An outstanding heritage in the heart of Hanoi

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Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House view from outside (Source: Collected)

Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, located in the middle of such a bustling city, is a tranquil destination that should be a top-listed attraction during your Hanoi Travel trip. Ho Chi Minh’s house seems to have entered the hearts of not only Vietnamese people but also international visitors as an invaluable cultural heritage. This place is also a symbol of Uncle Ho’s simple and integrity lifestyle.

1. An overview of Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House

1.1. Location, ticket fee, opening times

Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, located in the heart of Hanoi city, is a place to keep a lot of memories of when Uncle Ho lived and worked. This place is nestled under the fresh green trees in the garden of the Presidential Palace modestly.

Ho Chi Minh house on stilt is definitely a perfect destination for budget travelers since its ticket fee is reasonable and affordable for everyone:

• Entrance Fee: 25,000 VND/foreigner. Free for Vietnamese
• Opening times: 
  • Summer (1 April to 31 October): 7:30 am – 10:30 am (extended to 11 am on holidays and weekends)
  • Winter (1 November to 31 March of the following year): 8 am – 11 am (extended to 11:30 am on holidays and weekends)
• Currently, Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House is open to welcome visitors on all days of the week, except Monday and Friday.

Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House – a tranquil place in the heart of bustling Hanoi (Source: Collected)

1.2. History and significance

With a simple but valuable architecture, Uncle Ho’s Stilt House, where President Ho Chi Minh lived and worked for the last 10 years of his life (from 1958 to 1969), has become a cultural and historical destination attracting many tourists to pay a visit and learn about the revolutionary life of the President.

In October 1945, when peace was restored in the North, President Ho Chi Minh returned from the Viet Bac war zone to Hanoi. At the end of December of the same year, Uncle Ho moved to live and work at the Presidential Palace Vietnam until he drew his last breath.

In March 1958, during a visit to Dai Tu district, Thai Nguyen province, Uncle Ho expressed his wish to have a Viet Bac stilt house next to the fishpond in the Presidential Palace Hanoi. After that, Ho Chi Minh met architect Nguyen Van Ninh to discuss a plan of building a small two-story wooden house on stilts, enough for one person to live and work.

On May 17, 1958, the house on stilts was completed in time for Ho Chi Minh’s birthday. Since then, Uncle Ho officially moved to live and work at the stilt house.

A place to keep lots of memories about Uncle Ho (Source: Collected)

In 1969, after Uncle Ho’s death, the Party and Government had a policy of preserving the artifacts of Ho chi minh stilt house Hanoi, and they restored the stilt house according to the prototype of another one for people to visit. The engineers carried out the task of sealing and preserving meticulously and cautiously within two years.

Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house not only has historical significance associated with many important events of the country but also is an architectural and cultural heritage, containing great spiritual values, expressing the revolutionary morality of a person who pledged his wholehearted support for the national revolution, for the well-being and happiness of the people, and for peace and progress of mankind. 

Since 1975, when Ho Chi Minh’s house was recognized as a special national relic, it has become a crucial part of the Presidential Palace Hanoi, welcoming many delegations of politicians, heads of state and citizens all over the world whenever they go on a trip to the capital of Vietnam.

2. What to explore on your visit to Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House Hanoi?

2.1. The green surroundings

Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house is located in the heart of Hanoi city, nestled under the verdant green trees, surrounded by a stunning hibiscus fence and the gate is connected by interwoven branches.

In particular, next to the Ho Chi Minh house on stilts is Uncle Ho’s favorite fish pond, where he used to feed the fish after every long stressful working day. Ho Chi Minh stilt house Hanoi and Uncle Ho’s fish pond are prominent places in the Presidential Palace Hanoi, with the nearby blooming flower garden, fruit trees and shade trees, creating a very tranquil and pristine green area.

Uncle Ho’s Find Pond (Source: Collected)

Inside Uncle Ho’s house on stilts, there is a rest station, refreshments and souvenir stalls. It is recommended that visitors buy unique gifts and souvenirs for their loved ones after visiting the relic.

2.2. The unique architecture

Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house brings the scenic beauty of the stilt house architecture of Tay and Thai ethnic groups in Viet Bac under Uncle Ho’s wishes. The house is a two-story structure with an area of about 65m2, which is made of wood and tile roof. 

The upper floor is divided into 2 rooms: a bedroom and a personal office. Each room is only about 10m² wide, just enough for a small bed, a set of tables and chairs, a typewriter and a bookshelf. 

Uncle Ho’s office – where he worked for the last 10 years of his life (Source: Collected)

Meanwhile, the first floor has a living room, which is usually a place to meet officials in the Politburo of the Communist Party of Vietnam or to intimately welcome a number of domestic and foreign delegations.

3. Suggested directions to get to Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House

Located in the center of Hanoi, moving to Uncle Ho’s stilt house is not difficult. If you go by private vehicle, you can follow many different routes. From Le Hong Phong towards Ngoc Ha Street, the beginning of Ngoc Ha Street is the entrance to Uncle Ho’s Mausoleum. Then, park the vehicle in one of two locations:

• The entrance to Ho Chi Minh Museum (Ngoc Ha Street)
• Ong Ich Khiem Street, which is opposite the Mausoleum Guard Command

The entrance to Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House (Source: Collected)

In case you prefer to travel by public transportation, please note to choose these bus routes: 02, 09A, 09 ACT, 18, 32, 34 with stops closest to Uncle Ho’s house on stilts.

4. What to note for your trip to Uncle Ho’s Stilt House?

During your visit to Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house, here are several things to keep in mind:

• Since this is a dignified destination, you are not allowed to enter this historical attraction unless you remember to dress in formal clothes. Therefore, try to avoid clothes that are too short, revealing or might be considered offensive.
• Always remember to speak quietly and line up in order. Do not joke or talk too loudly as these activities will affect the people around you as well as the atmosphere of the attraction.
• Please do not bring  your luggage since you are not allowed to take the luggage inside the sightseeing area 
• Do not take photos or record videos in prohibited areas, especially inside the mausoleum.
• According to the Mausoleum’s regulations, children who are under 3 years old are not allowed to go inside the mausoleum. If you travel with children, you might consider arranging a babysitter. 

In addition to Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, there are many destinations that should be included in your tour. Do not forget to visit other attractions in the complex, namely Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh Museum, Presidential Palace, House No.54 and One Pillar Pagoda.

Besides that, VinKE at Vincom Mega Mall Times City is a wonderful indoor space if you are looking for a place to have fun with your family. This is a large entertainment area of 4,000 square meters that attracts not only young children but also many adults as there are many enticing games for people of almost all ages. 

VinKE in Hanoi

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Vinpearl Aquarium

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Besides Hanoi, Hoi An, Da Nang, Nha Trang and Phu Quoc are among the top renowned tourist attractions of Vietnam. These destinations are also recommended if you want to get deeper insights into the culture and lifestyle of Vietnam.

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An exquisite beach resort of Vinpearl

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Visiting Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House will be an unforgettable experience for any tourists, especially for historical enthusiasts. Although this house on stilts is designed simply, it is not only a place containing many memories but also a great cultural heritage of the Vietnamese people. Hopefully, this article will help you understand more about your intended destination and plan your upcoming trip to the S-shaped country!

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