Ho Chi Minh Stilt House - A Special Historical and Cultural Destination in Hanoi

The Ho Chi Minh Stilt House is the residence and workplace of President Ho Chi Minh during the final years of his life. Let's explore this famous landmark with BDATrip in the following article!

Introduction to the Ho Chi Minh Stilt House

The Ho Chi Minh Stilt House is an icon of Vietnamese history and culture, bearing the mark of the great leader - Uncle Ho. The house is built in the traditional style of the mountainous ethnic groups, reflecting the simplicity, rusticity, and closeness of Uncle Ho to the people. It is also a place that reflects his love for the homeland, the love for his nation, and his love for nature. He abandoned the Presidential Palace - a luxurious residence from colonial times - to live in a small stilt house, similar to the houses where he stayed during the resistance against the French in the northern part of Vietnam.

President Ho Chi Minh's stilt house is an attractive destination for millions of tourists, both domestic and international, every year. Here, they can learn more about the life and work of Uncle Ho. When you visit, you will feel the peaceful, serene, and warm atmosphere, just like the character of Uncle Ho himself. In addition, visitors can also visit Uncle Ho's family stilt house in Nghe An, which is part of the Kim Lien Historical Site. This is where Uncle Ho was born, grew up, and spent a significant part of his life, preserving many valuable memories and relics, recreating the living space of Uncle Ho from his youth.

Architecture and Design Features of Ho Chi Minh Stilt House

The Ho Chi Minh Stilt House is a distinctive architectural marvel, constructed in 1958 according to Ho Chi Minh's wishes. The house is designed in the style of the ethnic Tày-Thái stilt houses found in the northern mountainous region of Vietnam, where Ho Chi Minh experienced both difficult and glorious years during the fight against the French. Situated within the precinct of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi, it bears witness to numerous significant historical events that greatly influenced Ho Chi Minh's life and revolutionary career.

President Ho Chi Minh's stilt house is a two-story wooden house with a tiled roof, measuring 10.5m x 6.2m. The house is intelligently and scientifically designed with large windows to allow natural light and air circulation. The ground floor serves as a space for Ho Chi Minh to park his bicycle and store some other items. The upper floor is where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked daily.

Inside the house, there are three functional rooms: a living room, a bedroom, and a workspace. The interior is very frugal and modest, reflecting Ho Chi Minh's simple and down-to-earth nature. The living room features a long chair for receiving guests, a small table for reading newspapers, and a bookshelf for Ho Chi Minh's reading materials. The bedroom contains a wooden bed, a woolen blanket, and a cotton pillow for Ho Chi Minh's rest. The workspace is equipped with a wooden desk, a swivel chair, a Remington typewriter, and a telephone for Ho Chi Minh's work and communication.

Role and Cultural Significance of Ho Chi Minh Stilt House

The Ho Chi Minh Stilt House is a unique dwelling, not only as Ho Chi Minh's residence and workplace but also as a place where he interacted with Party leaders, state officials, and esteemed guests from both within and outside the country. This place also bears witness to many historical milestones in the history of Vietnam, such as the anti-American resistance and the struggle for the reunification of North and South Vietnam. It also preserves many valuable historical and cultural artifacts associated with Ho Chi Minh, such as his Peugeot bicycle, his Vespa scooter, and his Remington typewriter. These artifacts not only reflect his modest and frugal lifestyle but also his spirit of creative work and lifelong learning.

The Stilt House also embodies Ho Chi Minh's love for his homeland, his people, and nature. The house is built in the style of the Tày-Thái ethnic stilt houses, symbolizing the unity of the various ethnic groups throughout the nation. It features large windows that bring in natural light and fresh air, set amidst a lush garden filled with plants, flowers, and wildlife. The Ho Chi Minh Stilt House is a place that reflects his inner spirit and character, inspiring those who love their country and advocate for peace.

Admission Fees and Opening Hours

Ho Chi Minh Stilt House is an intriguing destination you shouldn't miss when visiting Hanoi. You can enter this house for free, but you should pay attention to its opening hours. The Ho Chi Minh Stilt House welcomes visitors only on working days, from Monday to Friday, from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM and from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

Tourists should note that the Stilt House remains closed on holidays, during the Lunar New Year, and on weekends. It's advisable to plan your visit in advance to avoid disappointment due to the house being closed.

Transportation Options and Routes to Ho Chi Minh Stilt House

The Ho Chi Minh Stilt House is a well-known tourist spot in Hanoi, situated within the Presidential Palace Historical Site in Ngoc Ha Ward, Ba Dinh District. If you prefer to walk, you can take routes such as Nguyen Thai Hoc, Doi Can, Hung Vuong, Le Hong Phong, Hoang Hoa Tham, etc. The Stilt House is about 300 meters away from the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. If you want to take a bus, you can catch bus routes 09, 18, 22, 33, 45, or 50 and get off at the 18A Le Hong Phong bus stop. From there, it's just a 300-meter walk to reach the Stilt House.

Additionally, you can also rent a motorbike or bicycle to get there. There are various motorbike and bicycle rental services in Hanoi at reasonable prices. You'll only need a valid driver's license and personal identification to rent a vehicle. However, it's essential to be mindful of traffic laws and safety when riding on the road.

If you are a foreign tourist, you can choose guided Ho Chi Minh's stilt house tour for a comprehensive experience.

Fun Activities When Visiting Ho Chi Minh Stilt House

When visiting the Ho Chi Minh Stilt House, you can experience exciting activities such as:

- Admiring the architecture and interior of the stilt house, as well as the artifacts and memorabilia related to Ho Chi Minh's life and revolutionary activities.

- Immersing yourself in nature within the Presidential Palace Gardens. You can enjoy the lotus pond, flower gardens, plants, or relax by Ho Chi Minh's favorite fish pond.

- Watching documentary films about Ho Chi Minh at the cinema in the Presidential Palace. You can watch films such as "Ho Chi Minh - The Man and His Career," "Ho Chi Minh - The Nature Lover," "Ho Chi Minh - The Art Lover," and more.

- Listening to your favorite songs of Ho Chi Minh in the music room within the Presidential Palace Gardens, including "The Song of Hope," "The Song of Quan Doc Banyan Tree," "The Song of Tet Mau Than," and others.

- Participating in traditional folk games in the recreation area on the stilt house grounds, such as tug of war, blindfolded goat-catching, and dragon-snake flying.

- Writing words of gratitude and conveying your dreams to Ho Chi Minh at the letter-writing area within the Presidential Palace Gardens.

Important Notes When Visiting Ho Chi Minh Stilt House

Ho Chi Minh Stilt House is a unique historical and cultural destination in Hanoi that you should not miss when traveling here.

However, when visiting this place, you should adhere to the following rules to preserve the heritage and show respect to Ho Chi Minh:

- Choose appropriate attire, not too short or revealing.

- Remove your shoes before entering.

- Do not touch or move any of the artifacts within the stilt house.

- Refrain from using flash photography or loud sounds when taking pictures or filming inside the stilt house.

- Leave everything as you found it and take your shoes with you when leaving Ho Chi Minh's stilt house.

- Do not bring food, drinks, cigarettes, or pets when visiting the historical site.

- Avoid making noise, pushing, or disrupting public order while exploring the area.

We hope that the content in this article has provided you with valuable insights into Ho Chi Minh Stilt House and will enhance your travel experience in Hanoi!