A stream of people respectfully make their way to Ba Dinh Square.
A long line of people entered the Mausoleum in a solemn and orderly atmosphere. Photo: Le Phu/News and Ethnic Groups Newspaper
Amidst the modern pace of life in the capital today, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum remains a special focal point of the people's affection for their beloved leader. The space here retains its solemnity and tranquility, like a quiet haven in the midst of the bustling city.
From early morning on May 19th, Ba Dinh Square was packed with people and tourists from all over the country who came to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to pay their respects on the 136th anniversary of his birth. A long line of people stretched out in a solemn and respectful atmosphere. Among them were young children visiting Hanoi for the first time with their parents, elderly veterans standing silently, and many families who had traveled hundreds of kilometers just to visit the Mausoleum on this historic month of May.
Among the crowds heading to Ba Dinh Square this time were many elderly people from the central provinces. Having traveled a long distance from Duc Minh commune, Ha Tinh province, an elderly couple arrived in Hanoi at 4 am after a bus trip that departed at 10 pm the previous night. Despite suffering from many illnesses, with the husband having been bedridden for a long time, their first wish, even though he still walks with a limp and needs crutches, was to visit the Mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh on May 19th. “This is the first time we’ve been to the Mausoleum, so we’re very moved. Seeing President Ho Chi Minh, we feel even more strongly the sacrifices he made for the nation,” the woman from Ha Tinh shared.
After visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the crowds of locals and tourists continued their tour to the Ho Chi Minh Museum. Tran Anh Phat, a 4th-grade student from Muong Coi Primary School (Son La province), was visiting the Mausoleum for the first time and couldn't hide his emotion. Phat said that he had previously learned about President Ho Chi Minh through television and school lessons, but seeing him in person made him feel even more deeply the sacredness and gratitude he felt for the nation's leader. "What moved me most was wishing that President Ho Chi Minh could come back to life," Phat shared. After visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Ho Chi Minh Museum, he said he learned more about President Ho Chi Minh's life, career, and simple lifestyle, and hoped to return to Ba Dinh Square many more times.
Not only is the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum a popular destination for first-time visitors to Hanoi, but it's also a favorite choice for many citizens on special national occasions. Nguyen Duc Tai, from Dong Son, Thanh Hoa province, said this was his third visit to the Mausoleum. This time, he brought his mother and younger sibling from his hometown to Hanoi to visit on President Ho Chi Minh's birthday. According to Mr. Tai, despite the large number of visitors, the organization and reception were meticulous and smooth. Inside the Mausoleum, the feeling was very solemn and sacred, like reuniting with a family member. For Mr. Tai, President Ho Chi Minh is always the approachable and simple image of the "Father of the Nation." Therefore, every time he has the opportunity to visit Hanoi, he wants to bring his family to the Mausoleum and visit the Ho Chi Minh Museum to learn more about the President's life and ideology.
According to many locals, what impressed them most on this occasion was not only the solemn atmosphere at Ba Dinh Square but also the thoughtful welcome extended to fellow citizens and tourists. At the entrance to the Mausoleum, gift packages containing water, milk, and bread were handed out to people from early morning. This is an annual activity organized by the Hanoi Department of Tourism in coordination with the Command of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum during major holidays, aiming to support people and tourists visiting the Mausoleum, especially during the hot early summer weather. According to the plan, in 2026, approximately 110,000 gift packages will be prepared to serve people and tourists at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum area during major holidays. This year, for the anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's birthday, it is expected that about 20,000 packages will be served.
Spreading cultural and educational values related to President Ho Chi Minh.
People from many localities came to Hanoi on May 19th, in a solemn and respectful atmosphere at the Mausoleum area. Photo: Le Phu/News and Ethnic Minorities Newspaper
According to Dang Huong Giang, Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism, the activity of giving free gifts to people and tourists visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum not only contributes to supporting the people but also reflects the image of Hanoi as a friendly and compassionate city. Ms. Dang Huong Giang stated that Hanoi is aiming to build an image of a "safe, friendly, high-quality, and attractive" destination, placing the experiences and emotions of people and tourists at the center of sustainable tourism development.
Not only at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum area, but throughout the month of May, many meaningful cultural and artistic activities are also organized in the capital to commemorate and express gratitude to President Ho Chi Minh.
On the afternoon of May 18th, the Thang Long Music and Dance Theatre organized a traditional art performance program in the area of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, attracting a large number of locals and tourists. In the solemn atmosphere of Ba Dinh Square, the sounds of the bầu, tranh, and bamboo flute blended with familiar songs such as "The Song of Ho Chi Minh," "Uncle Ho, My Boundless Love," "Remembering Uncle Ho in May," "Melody of the Fatherland," and "The Nation's Complete Joy," evoking deep emotions in the audience. The folk melodies and traditional music resounding in the historical Ba Dinh Square moved many people. Numerous tourists lingered for a long time to listen to the artistic performances on that May afternoon.
According to the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, from now until the fourth quarter of 2026, traditional art performances will be held regularly every Saturday afternoon in the area around the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to serve the people and tourists; and at the same time contribute to spreading national cultural values, love for the homeland and reverence for President Ho Chi Minh.
Alongside artistic activities, many traditional educational programs for young people were also organized during this period. The painting competition themed "Uncle Ho with Children," organized by the Youth Union of Vat Lai commune, attracted a large number of students. Through their colorful paintings, the children expressed their affection for Uncle Ho, his teachings to the younger generation, and their determination to study and train according to the five principles taught by Uncle Ho. Many works were praised for their creative ideas, rich emotions, and sincere feelings, pride, and deep gratitude towards the beloved leader of the nation. This activity not only provided a beneficial playground but also contributed to traditional education and fostered a spirit of competition in learning and self-improvement among children and teenagers.
Not only the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum area, but also the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Site at the Presidential Palace, the Ho Chi Minh Museum, and the house at 48 Hang Ngang Street attract many visitors during the month of May. At the stilt house in the Presidential Palace, many people are deeply moved to see firsthand the simple living and working quarters of the leader who dedicated his entire life to the nation; while the house at 48 Hang Ngang Street still preserves many valuable artifacts and documentary photos about the history of the Vietnamese revolution, where President Ho Chi Minh drafted the "Declaration of Independence".
Amidst a rapidly developing Hanoi with new roads, modern urban areas, and an increasingly vibrant pace of life, the historical sites associated with President Ho Chi Minh remain places where many people seek to remember the simple yet enduring values he left behind. His image continues to be present in today's life in many natural ways. The quiet stream of people visiting the Mausoleum during the month of May not only demonstrates the people's reverence and gratitude towards their beloved leader, but also shows that his ideological, moral, and lifestyle values continue to have a profound influence on contemporary society.
Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/thang-nam-ve-ba-dinh-nho-bac-20260519161530623.htm
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