Hồ Chí Minh Mausoleum

The Mausoleum is of simple and clear cubic form with the ground area of 47 x 34m, the head of 21.65m. The Mausoleum consists of a platform and three descending levels by height, forming a strong position. The roof also forms three levels, although there is no curves, but the tertiary level combined with beveled hinge makes the roof just wears the neat and clear features of modern architecture as well as soft appearance of curved roof in folk architecture. The Mausoleum’s body is a square block, four sides are the columns supporting the roof creating the appearance of a five-compartment house. Four columns at four corners are of dimension 1.2×1.2m, others columns are of dimension 1.2×0.9m. The exterior face of the Mausoleum is pressed with gray granite and the interior face of the Mausoleum is pressed with polished gray and red stone, four columns supporting the roof is pressed with marble. Front side of the Mausoleum running the words “PRESIDENT HỒ-CHÍ-MINH”. More than 250 species of plants from all over the country are grown around the Mausoleum.

The work is the result of cooperation of many specialized design institutes of both Soviet Union and Vietnam. Chief designer of Soviet Union was architect Garold Isakovich, who was formerly awarded Lenin Prize. For Vietnam, architects Nguyễn Ngọc Chân and Vương Quốc Mỹ made remarkable contribu- tion to the preliminary design to make the work closer to traditional cultural identity.

At the same time, the work has to be guaranteed of technical elements to preserve President Hồ Chí Minh’s body intact and long-term, against the adverse changes of climate, weather as well as war prevention plan. In addition, it must ensure the convenience for Vietnamese citizen and foreign visitors to continually visit and ensure the solidity and sustainability of the work.