Uncle Ho's stilt house in the President Ho Chi Minh Relic Site - Presidential Palace. (Photo: VNA)

The Ho Chi Minh Memorial Site contains nearly 1,700 artifacts, including 325 items displayed at the stilt house. The preservation and restoration of these artifacts require meticulous care, with specialized tools such as feather dusters used for cleaning. Staff members work diligently to maintain the original state of the site, ensuring it remains unchanged since the last days of President Ho Chi Minh’s life.

On May 15, 1975, the Ministry of Culture and Information officially designated this site as a National Historic Relic. Today, it is recognized as one of Vietnam’s 23 special national relics and serves as a museum dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh’s daily life.

Each artifact within the site carries profound meaning and valuable lessons about Ho Chi Minh’s compassion and love for humanity and nature. The fishpond and lush garden remain well-preserved, with fruit tree varieties from different regions of Vietnam further enriching the landscape.

The fishpond, one of the most symbolic locations at the site, is surrounded by hibiscus trees along its banks, reminiscent of Ho Chi Minh’s childhood home in Sen Village.

The stilt house, an essential part of the Presidential Palace site, is a must-visit location for Vietnamese citizens and international visitors, especially during the Lunar New Year.

President Ho Chi Minh lived and worked in this stilt house for the last 11 years of his life (1958–1969). The house was built in the style of traditional ethnic stilt houses of Vietnam’s northern regions. It features a two-story structure: the ground floor was used as a summer workspace, a meeting room for the Politburo, and a space for informal receptions. The upper floor consists of two small rooms (each about 10 square meters), one for resting and one for working. The frame and floor are made of wood.

Inside the study, many of President Ho Chi Minh’s personal belongings remain intact. The books he was reading in his final days are still neatly stacked on his desk, with the outermost volumes focusing on exemplary individuals and good deeds. A rattan rocking chair in the corner of the room, where he used to rest at noon or after work, is a reminder of his simple lifestyle.

It was in this stilt house, on July 17, 1966, that President Ho Chi Minh wrote an appeal calling on the Vietnamese people to unite against American imperialism. Between 1965 and 1969, he wrote his historic will here, leaving behind his boundless love for the entire nation, the Communist Party, the armed forces, and the younger generations.

Visiting Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house offers insight into his humble and modest lifestyle. This site witnessed many significant historical events in the final years of his life.

Today, the stilt house remains a "sacred landmark," drawing Vietnamese people and peace-loving individuals worldwide who wish to pay tribute to President Ho Chi Minh’s extraordinary legacy./.

Compiled by BTA