Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Guide: Hours, Dress Code, Queues & Visitor Rules

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum opens only on selected mornings, so check the date before planning your Hanoi itinerary. Regular visiting days are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday; entry is free, but security screening, modest dress, and silence are required. Queues can be long on busy days, so arrive near opening.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum opening hours

Regular viewing is held on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings. Monday and Friday are normally closed. If May 19, September 2, or the first day of Tet falls on Monday or Friday, special opening may apply. Always check the current official notice.

Entry to the mausoleum and Ba Dinh Square is free. The Presidential Palace historical site, Ho Chi Minh Museum, and other nearby venues have separate tickets and schedules.

2026 annual maintenance closure

The official authority has announced maintenance from September 4 through November 2, 2026. Entry to pay respects inside the mausoleum is suspended during this period and resumes on November 3. Ba Dinh Square and some surrounding sites may remain accessible, subject to daily controls.

How long is the queue?

The time inside the viewing chamber is brief; most of the visit is assembly, security, and queuing. Allow 1–1.5 hours, and longer on weekends, holidays, school-group days, or around anniversaries. Arrive early and avoid scheduling a tightly timed paid activity immediately afterward.

• Find the correct queue entrance instead of walking straight to the front of the mausoleum.
• Carry as little as possible to simplify screening and storage.
• Much of the summer queue is outdoors; prepare for sun and heat while following item restrictions.
• Seniors, young children, and visitors with mobility needs should ask staff about the current route.

What is the dress code?

This is a solemn national memorial. Clothing should be clean and modest, with shoulders and knees covered. Avoid sleeveless tops, very short shorts or skirts, sheer clothing, and revealing outfits. Remove hats where staff instruct you to do so.

Security and visitor rules

• Stay in line, remain silent inside, and keep moving without stopping or talking.
• Photography and filming are prohibited inside; switch off, store, or deposit phones and cameras as instructed.
• Do not put hands in pockets, joke around, eat, smoke, or touch facilities.
• Large bags, dangerous items, and prohibited objects cannot enter.
• Military and security staff may change the route for state events, security, or crowd control.

Age guidance for families

The mausoleum is a solemn viewing site, not a typical family attraction. Children need to tolerate a long queue, remain quiet, follow the line, and avoid crying or running inside. Many online guides claim children under three cannot enter, but the authority’s current public schedule page does not clearly state one universal minimum age. Families with toddlers should confirm directly with the authority or on-site staff rather than relying on an old blog.

• For babies, toddlers, or children likely to cry, consider viewing the exterior and Ba Dinh Square instead.
• Explain to school-age children that this is a memorial containing preserved human remains.
• Strollers, carriers, and children’s items remain subject to security instructions.
• Prepare an alternative route before joining the queue.

A half-day Ba Dinh itinerary

Place the mausoleum first in the morning, then continue to Ba Dinh Square, the Presidential Palace historical site, Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house, and One Pillar Pagoda as access permits. Add the Imperial Citadel or Temple of Literature in the afternoon. Each site has its own admission and opening hours.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum FAQ