A visit to the exterior of the Presidential Palace, plus a house Ho Chi Minh lived in from 1954 to 1958, then his so-called House on Stilts, and his car collection, naturally follows a stop at nearby Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum.
Travel better, travel smarter
Save money, receive our latest updates and get the most out of your travels.
Simply follow the crowds when you leave the mausoleum and you'll find yourself at the ticket booth to here, with the first stop in this complex being the exterior of the ochre-coloured Presidential Palace.
The pond is not the spot for a quiet stroll. Photo: Samantha Brown
Today the palace is the official home of Vietnam’s president, but it was originally the residence of the French Governor-General of Indochina. The ornate 30-room palace, built in Beaux Arts style at the start of the 20th century by French architect Auguste Henri Vildieu, is also used occasionally by the government for state receptions, particularly when heads of state visit. Architectural Digest named the palace one of the 13 most beautiful in the world in 2016.
For obvious symbolic reasons, Ho Chi Minh refused to move into the palace when the French were ousted in 1954, though he did receive guests there. Instead he moved into a modest cottage on the grounds while he waited for a house on stilts he commissioned to be built.
Guess who's late for dinner! Photo: Samantha Brown
You'll file past the several rooms of the first house, kept absolutely pristine, and a garage where his collection of well-preserved, gleaming cars remain stored behind ... Travelfish members only (Around 300 more words) ... please log in to read the rest of this story.
Don’t miss the boat!
Please subscribe to Travelfish.org to read the rest of this article, or log in here.
Subscribing to Travelfish costs A$35 per year and it gets you access to more than 200 downloadable guides to specific destinations, fabulous discount coupons and 50% off our personalised travel planning service. Sign up here.
By
Samantha Brown.
Last updated on 21st September, 2017.
Popular hotels in Hanoi on Agoda
(9 reviews)
(412 reviews)
(207 reviews)
(1,922 reviews)
(936 reviews)
Location map for Presidential Palace and Ho Chi Minh's House on Stilts
Popular attractions in Hanoi
A selection of some of our favourite sights and activities around Hanoi.
Best places to stay in Hanoi
A selection of some of our favourite places to stay in Hanoi.
What next?
Browse our independent reviews of places to stay in and around Hanoi.
Check prices, availability & reviews on Agoda or Booking
Read up on where to eat on Hanoi.
Check out our listings of things to do in and around Hanoi.
Read up on how to get to Hanoi, or book your transport online with Baolau.
Do you have travel insurance yet? If not, find out why you need it.
Planning on riding a scooter in Hanoi? Please read this.
Browse the web securely while travelling with TunnelBear. Try with a 7–day free trial.