From dawn on May 19, Ba Dinh Square area and roads leading to President Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum were crowded with people and tourists coming to visit Uncle Ho to celebrate the 136th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's birth (May 19, 1890 - May 19, 2026).
Crowds extend order under the early summer weather in Hanoi.
Many families brought young children and elderly people. Many delegations from provinces and cities were present very early to enter the Mausoleum on the special occasion of the historic May.
Arriving in Hanoi early to visit Uncle Ho's Mausoleum, Ms. Nguyen Minh Phuong (Bac Ninh) said she felt lucky to be in harmony with the sacred atmosphere on Uncle Ho's birthday.
I am very touched to be able to visit Uncle Ho's Mausoleum on this occasion. Although the number of people is very large, all organizational work is thoughtful and orderly.
Especially, when receiving free drinking water, milk and bread directly, I clearly feel the concern and affection of Hanoi for people and tourists," Ms. Phuong shared.
Amidst the solemn crowd at Ba Dinh Square, the image of small gifts including drinking water, milk and bread being handed directly to the people has become a touching highlight in the anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's birthday this year.
Free gift-giving activities are an annual program organized by the Hanoi Department of Tourism in coordination with the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Command during major holidays in 2026 to support people and tourists when visiting Uncle Ho's Mausoleum, especially in the hot weather at the beginning of summer.
According to the plan, essential goods support activities are implemented in three peak periods including the April 30 - May 1 holiday, the anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's birthday May 19 and National Day September 2.
The total number of gifts expected to be served this year is about 110,000 sets. Of which, the April 30th and May 1st holidays serve about 45,000 sets; the April 19th Uncle Ho's birthday celebration serves about 20,000 sets and the September 2nd National Day holiday continues to supply about 45,000 sets.
Each gift bag is carefully prepared, ensuring hygiene and quality before being handed to people and tourists.
The Hanoi Department of Tourism is responsible for preparing resources and controlling food quality; while the Command of the Mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh organizes site coordination, receives and directly gives gifts.
The coordination between units helps the activities take place smoothly, both ensuring solemnity in the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum area and creating a feeling of closeness and friendliness for people and tourists from all directions.
According to the Hanoi Department of Tourism, the activity becomes even more meaningful in the context of the number of visitors to the Capital continuing to increase sharply.
In April 2026 alone, Hanoi welcomed about 3.09 million visitors, an increase of 13.3% compared to the same period last year; total revenue from tourists reached about 12.65 trillion VND.
In general, in the first 4 months of 2026, the Capital welcomed about 12.14 million visitors, of which international visitors reached 3.29 million, an increase of 20.9% compared to the same period last year.
Director of Hanoi Department of Tourism Dang Huong Giang said that annual activities such as giving free gifts to people and tourists visiting Uncle Ho's Mausoleum contribute to improving the quality of tourism services of the Capital in the spirit of putting people at the center.
Not only focusing on increasing the number of visitors, Hanoi is gradually building the image of a'Safe - Friendly - Quality - Attractive' destination, taking the experiences and emotions of people and tourists as the center for sustainable tourism development," Ms. Dang Huong Giang shared.
