"Completing the strike"

In Moscow I saw Lenin. In Beijing I saw Mao. In Hanoi I saw Ho Chi Minh. Three communist leaders, still cherished in their own countries, they were all mystical figures that for decades to come will be read and written about all over the world.

Upon arrival in Hanoi I heard some rumors that Ho Chi Minh was not available at the moment. Some said the mausoleum was closed off to tourists because of the Spring Festival, some said that his body was taken to Russia for refurbishing, and some said he was there. But after talking to someone who had been there the day before, I knew I would be alright.

The Ho Chi Minh mausoleum was by far the most impressive of the three I went to. The building is large, and it is located in a very nice park area, right next to the presidential palace. Ho Chi Minh did in fact not live in the palace, but in a small building next to it. I guess he did not feel at home in the vast rooms of the palace. And just like the other "Great Leaders", Ho Chi Minh did not want to be put on display. He is now pit inside a crystal casket, far more decorative and far larger than Mao.

The day I went there was the day after the "Vietnamese Communist Party" celebrated their 80th birthday, so there were a lot of flowers everywhere. But I have to admit that I would have expected a huge military parade when the communists celebrate themselves. The best they put up was a ceremony where they put down some flowers in front of the Mausoleum. Later one there was a show with dancers and acrobats down by the lake in the city center.