Coming to Hanoi on the occasion of April 30 – May 1, in addition to checking in at the Lake and other attractions, you cannot miss visiting places with strong national historical imprints.
Ba Dinh Square – Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Address: No. 2 Hung Vuong, Dien Bien, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
Ba Dinh Square, where President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence on September 2, 1945, giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, is the historical heart of Hanoi . Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, with its solemn architecture of granite and marble, is a symbol of the deep gratitude that the Vietnamese people have for their great leader.
Not only a sacred place, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is also a check-in point with profound cultural significance, attracting millions of visitors every year. Located in the center of Ba Dinh area, this is the perfect starting point for you to feel the breath of history and national pride.
Visitors and locals can arrive early to witness the flag-raising ceremony at 6:00 (summer) or 6:30 (winter), when the 34-member honor guard performs a solemn ritual – an ideal moment to take emotional photos.
On special holidays, people and tourists have the opportunity to visit Uncle Ho’s Mausoleum to feel the sacred space and learn about his life at the Presidential Palace, where many valuable relics are kept.
Vietnam National Assembly
Address: 1 Doc Lap Street, Dien Bien, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
Vietnam’s National Assembly Building is a modern highlight in the Ba Dinh area. Inaugurated in 2014, this building is the center of supreme power, where important sessions of the National Assembly take place. Inspired by the legend of “banh chung, banh day” – the symbol of “round sky, square earth” – the National Assembly Building harmoniously combines traditional features and modern architecture, arousing national pride in the hearts of every visitor.
The facade of the building with a crown-shaped meeting room, overlooking Ba Dinh Square, is an impressive panoramic angle. The square in front of the National Assembly, near Doc Lap Street, offers modern, solemn photos. If you have the opportunity to visit inside, the sophisticated interior space with national cultural motifs will be a unique, meaningful angle. Take photos from a distance to capture the whole view of the building and the square space, especially in the afternoon when the light is soft and yellow.
Thang Long Imperial Citadel
Address: 19C Hoang Dieu, Dien Bien, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
Thang Long Imperial Citadel is a complex of relics recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage in 2010. Associated with 13 centuries of Vietnamese history, from the Ly, Tran, Le, Mac to the Nguyen dynasties, this place was once the political and cultural center of the dynasties. Constructions such as Doan Mon, Dien Kinh Thien, Cua Bac and the archaeological site at 18 Hoang Dieu are living proof of the journey of building and defending the country, making every visitor proud.
During these holidays, take the time to explore the archaeological site at 18 Hoang Dieu to admire the cultural layers from the Ly to Nguyen dynasties. Visit in the morning to avoid the sun and take advantage of natural light. Wear ao dai or traditional costumes to have a photo album full of Hanoi, blending with the historical space.
Vietnam Military History Museum
Address: Thang Long Avenue, Nam Tu Liem District, Hanoi
Open from early November 2024, with visiting hours from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every day of the week, the Vietnam Military History Museum was built by the Ministry of National Defense in 2019 on an area of 386,000 m2 to preserve more than 150,000 valuable artifacts of Vietnam’s military history, helping visitors learn more about the proud struggle for national independence of our army and people.
As soon as entering the museum gate, visitors and locals can admire the 45m high Victory Tower, representing the year 1945 when Vietnam gained independence. In front is the central building, on the left are the weapons and equipment used by the Vietnamese army and people in the resistance wars to save the country. On the right are the weapons that the Vietnamese army and people captured in the wars against colonialism and imperialism to save the country.
Currently, the museum has just opened for visitors on the first floor with a space to display thousands of artifacts arranged in a modern way, applying advanced technology such as mapping tables, information lookup screens, photo media and QR codes to look up information about artifacts… introducing campaigns, battles and historical figures to comprehensively reflect the history of the nation’s struggle to defend the country, bringing visitors a completely new experience.
In particular, the Vietnam Military History Museum is where four national treasures are displayed: two MIG-21 aircraft numbered 4324 and 5121, T54B tank numbered 843, one of the first tanks to crash into the side gate of the Independence Palace at noon on April 30, 1975, and a map of the determination to fight in the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign.
In addition, this place also recreates historical space so that visitors can better understand the process of fighting to protect the country of the Vietnamese army and people such as the Truong Son road which has gone down in history as a legendary road, the scene of 60 days and nights of Hanoi army and people protecting the capital in the winter of 1946, the decisive battle on Bach Dang river for the country to gain independence…
Hoa Lo Prison
Address: 1 Hoa Lo Street, Tran Hung Dao, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Hoa Lo Prison is an emotional historical relic. Built in 1896 by the French colonialists on land that used to be the Phu Khanh pottery village, the prison once held thousands of revolutionary soldiers, from Phan Boi Chau, Ho Tung Mau to General Secretaries Nguyen Van Cu and Le Duan. Despite the harsh conditions of exile, the soldiers turned the prison into a “revolutionary school”, where they were taught theories and escape strategies. Hoa Lo Prison is a testament to the crimes of colonialism, and a symbol of the indomitable spirit of the Vietnamese people.
The prison cells with iron shackles, guillotines and old walls recreate an emotional historical space, suitable for storytelling photos. The area displaying paintings and statues of revolutionary soldiers is an impressive artistic shooting angle. The main gate near the Old Quarter offers photos combined with the bustling Hanoi street space. Artifacts such as documents, handwritten letters, and soldiers’ belongings are also highlights for visitors to record meaningful photos.
Besides, take time to explore the area that recreates prison life, where you can feel more clearly the harshness and strong will of the revolutionary soldiers. After visiting, visitors can stroll through the nearby old streets to feel the transition from history to modern life.
