Ho Chi Minh's Stilt House

Uncle Ho’s Stilt House – nestled peacefully within the Presidential Palace grounds in Hanoi, Uncle Ho’s Stilt House is a modest yet deeply meaningful architectural gem. This humble wooden home, where President Ho Chi Minh lived and worked from 1958 until his passing in 1969, has become one of Vietnam’s most revered cultural and historical sites. It draws visitors from around the world who come to honor his legacy and gain insight into the simple yet profound life of the nation's beloved leader.

The story of the stilt house began in March 1958, when President Ho, during a visit to Dai Tu district in Thai Nguyen province, expressed his wish to have a traditional Viet Bac-style stilt house built beside the tranquil fishpond at the Presidential Palace. He desired not grandeur, but a quiet, rustic space that reflected the lifestyle of the ethnic people he admired. Architect Nguyen Van Ninh was assigned the task, and the house was completed on May 17, just in time for Ho Chi Minh’s birthday.

Constructed of wood with a tiled roof, the stilt house covers an area of about 65 square meters and features two floors. The upper level contains a small bedroom and a study—each room just around 10 square meters, furnished only with the essentials: a single bed, a bookshelf, a desk, and a typewriter. The lower floor served as a meeting area, where Uncle Ho welcomed Politburo members and received both Vietnamese and international guests in a warm, informal setting.

After his passing in 1969, the Party and Government made preserving this space a priority. Artifacts were carefully restored and conserved, ensuring future generations could experience the atmosphere in which Ho Chi Minh lived—a life of discipline, humility, and unwavering dedication to the nation.

Since its official recognition as a special national relic in 1975, Uncle Ho’s Stilt House has become an essential stop for visitors to the capital. More than just a historic site, it is a place that embodies the spirit of a leader who devoted his life to the cause of independence, the happiness of the people, and peace for all humanity. The stilt house not only captures the architectural charm of the Tay and Thai ethnic groups of Viet Bac but also reflects the deep moral values and revolutionary lifestyle of a man who chose simplicity over grandeur.

A visit to Uncle Ho’s Stilt House is a journey into the soul of Vietnam—a quiet yet powerful space that continues to inspire generations with its timeless message of humility, patriotism, and peace.