Museums & galleries
Presidential Palace Historical Site
Overview
The Presidential Palace Historical Site is a preserved complex near Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, located directly behind the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. It served as the living and working quarters of Ho Chi Minh from 1954 to 1969. Travellers visit to observe the preserved residences, including his traditional wooden stilt house, meeting rooms, and surrounding gardens with a carp pond, illustrating the daily environment of Vietnam's former leader during the revolutionary era.
Getting There
Located in the Ba Dinh District, the grounds sit approximately 3 kilometres west of Hanoi's Old Quarter. A taxi or ride-hailing car from the city centre typically takes 10 to 20 minutes, depending on road traffic. Several municipal bus routes also stop around Ba Dinh Square, a short walk from the entrance.
Time to Allow
Plan to spend between 1 and 1.5 hours to walk the designated outdoor path, view the preserved buildings from the viewing points, and stroll through the surrounding gardens.
When to Go
Because the route is entirely open-air, arriving early in the morning helps avoid peak heat. The site regularly gets crowded with tour groups, school trips, and independent travellers, which can lead to slow-moving lines along the footpaths around the stilt house, particularly on weekends.
Nearby Attractions
The site can easily be combined with other landmarks located in the immediate vicinity:
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum: 0.2 km away.
- Presidential Palace of Vietnam: 0.2 km away.
- One Pillar Pagoda: 0.2 km away.
- Ho Chi Minh Museum: 0.3 km away.
Updated September 13, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors
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