Hanoi, Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Temple of Literature

by - June 15, 2017

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Hanoi, Vietnam

Our second and last day in Vietnam is all sorts many adventure and misadventure. Well, for one, I got to see many visit worthy places, while the other is if you haven't read this post (From Getting Ripped Off in Hanoi to Struggling to Change Money and Almost Losing my Passport in Luang Prabang) yet, you better check it now. :)

We actually want to try the biking tour in Hanoi on our second day but it is not any more feasible because our time is already limited and we didn't know there's one not until the end of our tour on our first day. On our second day, after eating our scrumptious breakfast at the hotel, we hailed a cab going to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. This is where the remains of Vietnam's greatest leader is laid to rest.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Hanoi, Vietnam
People waiting in line and this is not even the half of the people in the queue yet

Just a brief background of Ho Chi Minh or also known as Nguyễn Tất Thành by the locals, he was the one who united Vietnam during the war against the French Union. Vietnam was under the French colony before it gained its independence. The capital of Vietnam which was known as Saigon was later called Ho Chi Minh City to give honor to the late leader. 

As a foreigner, all I can observe is that the locals have high respect for Uncle Ho. Many locals would travel from different places just to visit and pay respect at his resting place.

Going inside the mausoleum, there's a long queue of people that's waiting to see the remains of the leader, us included. Most of the visitors are students, probably field trip?, and others are locals from different provinces and places in Vietnam. The mausoleum is only open every morning so if you want to visit this place, make sure to check first if the mausoleum is open for visitors. 

If you're lucky enough, you can also catch the changing of guards in front of the mausoleum. And of course, just like any mausoleum, no picture taking is allowed inside. The guards are strict that even a long stare in the body is not permitted as they will always tell you to walk faster.

We probably waited for almost 30 minutes to 1 hour just to get inside and we probably just saw the body for less than 3 minute? Yep, that fast.

Also, not far from the mausoleum is the Ho Chi Minh museum and the presidential palace where the late leader used to live.

Ho Chi Minh Presidential Palace
Ho Chi Minh's presidential palace

Ho Chi Minh Presidential Palace

We rested for awhile in the nearby cafe before we go to our next destination which is the Temple of Literature. I am not actually a coffee drinker but if you're in Vietnam, you just can't resist and not drink coffee all the time. 

Hanoi Vietnam
Left: Cafe Sua Da Right: Yogurt with jelly

So yeah, if you read the blog post I linked above, you would probably know what comes next. The misadventure! I already moved on from that tragic event (yes, tragic is how I describe it. lol!). I don't want to describe it here because it still makes me sad a little bit but what's done is done. It was already months ago and I already took trips after that travel.

Alright.. so next destination, Temple of Literature. Temple of Literature is a temple dedicated to Confucius. There are 5 courtyards in the temple and if you really want to dig deeper, you have to set an ample amount of time as the place is really big but all corners are picturesque. This is also one of the perfect examples of traditional Vietnamese architecture. 

Temple of Literature Hanoi Vietnam

Temple of Literature Hanoi Vietnam

Temple of Literature Hanoi Vietnam

Temple of Literature Hanoi Vietnam

Temple of Literature Hanoi Vietnam

There are much more that's actually in our itinerary but unfortunately, we didn't have that much time (and money) because of this incident that happened before our visit in the temple. After that, we decided to go back to the hotel and just find a nearby place where we can eat lunch. Fortunately, the cab we're riding pass through Jollibee!! And that's where we ate our lunch. I loved how they still managed to incorporate veggies in the meals. 

Temple of Literature Hanoi Vietnam

Temple of Literature Hanoi Vietnam

Temple of Literature Hanoi Vietnam

If they probably serve it here in the Philippines, more veggies will get wasted as it will just be neglected. I wonder why most Filipinos don't like eating vegetables. Is it because of culture? We like our rice more than we love our veggies. I'm not even sure if it's a good or bad thing.

Jollibee Hanoi Vietnam

Jollibee Hanoi Vietnam
Yummyyyyyy~

Right after lunch, we went back to the hotel and rested for awhile before the hotel bring us to the airport going to Luang Prabang. 

It was a fun 2 days in Vietnam. We were able to see most of the attractions. Maybe when I come back in the future, I'll explore Ha Long Bay next.


And that's how we spent our 2nd day in Vietnam. For our first day, read Hanoi, Vietnam: Exploring the Old Quarter.

Our Itinerary for the day:


6:00AM - 7:00AM: Wake up, get ready
7:00AM - 8:00AM: Breakfast (check out, leave things at reception)
8:00AM - 8:30AM: Travel to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum: 8 Hung Vuong, Dien Bien, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
8:30AM - 8:50AM: Go inside Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
8:50AM - 9:30AM: Ho Chi Minh Museum (entrance fee: 25,000VND)
9:30AM - 11:00AM: Travel to Imperial Citadel of Thang Long (entrance fee: 30,000VND) Quán Thánh, Ba Ðình, Hanoi, Vietnam
11:00AM - 12:00PM: Tran Quoc Pagoda Entrance is free
12:00PM - 1:00PM: Lunch
1:00PM - 2:00PM: Temple of Literature (Entrance: 30,000VND)
2:00PM - 3:00PM: Back to hotel, get things
3:00PM - 4:00PM: Merienda, rest
4:00PM - 4:30PM: Go to airport: Noi Bai International airport, terminal 2 - counter f1-f3, 3rd flr to check in
4:30PM - 6:50PM: Check in, waiting time
6:50PM - 7:50PM: Travel from Hanoi to Luang Prabang



Safe Travels!


Hanoi Vietnam
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