Detailed Content
History and Changes: From "Sitting with Children" to "Waving Goodbye" The statue you see now is actually quite young, having been officially inaugurated on May 17, 2015 (the 125th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's birth).
Predecessor Story: Before this, there was another statue called "Uncle Ho and the Children," depicting a warm scene of President Ho Chi Minh sitting and embracing a little girl. Later, to accommodate the modernization of Nguyen Hue Walking Street and the expansion of the square, the old statue was respectfully relocated to the Children's House in District 3, and the original site was replaced with this more majestic statue.
Craftsmanship Details: The new statue is cast from bronze alloy, with a total height of 7.2 meters (base 2.7 meters, statue height 4.5 meters). The design of the statue underwent strict selection, aiming to showcase President Ho Chi Minh's humble and approachable image despite his high position. The base is made from a single piece of black granite, surrounded by a lotus pond (the lotus is Vietnam's national flower and symbolizes President Ho Chi Minh's hometown, Kim Liên Village), signifying purity.
Must-Visit Highlights
The Perfect Backdrop: This is the biggest selling point of the location. Behind the statue is the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Hall, built in 1909, which features an exquisitely detailed clock tower and reliefs. Capturing the dark bronze statue against the bright yellow-white building in the background can create a historically layered photograph.
Night Light Show: Although the statue itself does not light up, every night, the City Hall behind it is illuminated with golden artistic lighting, and the fountain below the statue is activated, making the entire square a dazzling sight, one of the most beautiful night views in Ho Chi Minh City.
Visiting Tips
Best Photo Spots:
Front Low Angle: Stand slightly crouched at the outer edge of the flowerbed directly in front of the statue and shoot upwards. This will make President Ho Chi Minh appear more imposing while perfectly avoiding surrounding tourists and capturing the complete clock tower of the City Hall in the background.
Side Silhouette: In the evening, try capturing the silhouette of the statue waving from the side, complemented by the sunset or streetlights, creating a unique artistic atmosphere.
Etiquette Note: Although this is an open tourist area, it is a place of significant political solemnity for Vietnamese people. Please avoid making inappropriate or overly playful poses (such as climbing on the base) while taking photos, as a sign of respect.
Recommended Stroll: After taking photos, you can walk along Nguyen Hue Walking Street towards the riverside, passing by the Coffee Apartment and the entrance to the bookstore street, all the way to the Saigon River to enjoy the night view.
