Ba Dinh Square - Vietnam's Tiananmen Square

If the capital Hanoi is the heart of Vietnam, then Ba Dinh Square can be said to be the heart of Hanoi. The square is an important venue for Vietnam to hold rallies and festival activities, surrounded by government offices and foreign embassies. To the east of Ba Dinh Square towers the mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh, with his famous quote engraved on the granite wall in front of the tomb: 'Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom.' To the northwest of the tomb is Ho Chi Minh's former residence in Hanoi, and to the southwest is the Ho Chi Minh Museum. In front of the museum is the famous One Pillar Pagoda, which is one of Vietnam's unique ancient relics, located to the southwest of Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi. It was built during the Ly Dynasty in 1049 and is named for its construction on a single large stone pillar in the Lingzhuo Pond. The original temple was destroyed by bombing when the French withdrew in 1954, leaving only the stone pillar, and was rebuilt in its original form on the original site in 1955. Entry to Ba Dinh Square is free, but you must go through a security check first. The weather was very good on the day I went, a clear sunny day. Coming out of Ba Dinh Square, it is not far from the Temple of Literature in Hanoi, and you can walk there. Highly recommended!!!