About 3,000 people visited the Presidential Palace, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum at the Ba Dinh historical and cultural relic site in Hanoi during the two days of May 16-17.

Most visitors came to the Ho Chi Minh City relic site in groups, including mostly children and the elderly. Photo: VnExpress

Most visitors came in groups, including mostly children and the elderly.

The relics have been reopened to the public since May 12 from 7:30 am to 11 am and from 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm. Visitors have their body temperature checked, their hands washed with antiseptic solution and are required to wear face masks inside the premise to prevent Covid-19.

Doan Thanh Tuyen, tour leader of a tourist group from the Elderly Association of Thai Nguyen province, said that his delegation comprises of 160 people who came here since the morning to visit Uncle Ho's Mausoleum and the Presidential Palace.

Thanh Huyen, 34-year-old guide at the monument said that on the morning of May 16, she attended two groups of tourists including Youth Union of Ha Dong district and the Hanoi Capital High Command.

Huyen said that due to the impact of the pandemic, the number of visitors this year has decreased significantly compared to previous ones. However, "the young people visiting the monument are very happy, honored and proud."

Among the system of national relics nationwide related to President Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace and its premises welcome the largest number of visitors. 

From 1970 until now, this place has welcomed more than 80 million domestic and foreign visitors. Before the outbreak of Covid-19, the relic site received on average of 6,000 to 8,000 visitors per day. On major holidays like President Ho Chi Minh's birthday (May 19), the National Independence Day (September 2), the number of visitors would amount to 50,000.