Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Guests are welcome at other times of the day, but must enter via the compound of the
Diocese of Hanoi, the entrance to which is a block away at 40 P Nha Chung.
Other Areas
Temple of Literature
( 04-3845 2917; P Quoc Tu Giam; adult/student 20,000/10,000d; 8am-5pm)
About 2km west of
Hoan Kiem Lake, the Temple of Literature is a rare example of well-preserved traditional
Vietnamese architecture. This highly impressive temple was dedicated to Confucius in
1070 by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong and later established as a university for the education of
mandarins. Its roofed gateways, low-eaved buildings and five courtyards are typical of
11th-century courtly architecture.
In 1484, Emperor Le Thang Tong ordered the establishment of stelae honouring the
men who had received doctorates in triennial examinations dating back to 1442. Each of
the 82 stelae that stands here is set on a stone tortoise.
CONFUCIAN TEMPLE
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex
(entrance cnr P Ngoc Ha & P Doi Can)
To the west of the Old Quarter, Ho Chi Minh's mauso-
leum is an important place of pilgrimage for many Vietnamese.
In the tradition of Lenin, Stalin and Mao, Ho's mausoleum is a monumental marble edi-
fice. Contrary to his desire for a simple cremation, the structure was constructed from ma-
terials gathered from all over Vietnam between 1973 and 1975. Set deep in the bowels of
the building in a glass sarcophagus is the frail, pale body of Ho Chi Minh. The mauso-
leum is closed for about two months each year while his embalmed body goes to Russia
for maintenance.
Within the complex are Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum, stilt house and the Presidential
Palace and Ho Chi Minh Museum.
HISTORICAL SITE
Ho Chi Minh Museum
MUSEUM
( 04-3846 3757;
www.baotanghochiminh.vn
; admission 25,000d; 8-11.30am daily & 2-4.30pm Tue-
Thu, Sat & Sun)
The huge concrete Soviet-style Ho Chi Minh Museum is a triumphalist
monument dedicated to the life of the founder of modern Vietnam and to the onward
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