On the morning of January 11, 2026, the internship delegation of the International Relations major, Faculty of History and International Relations, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City arrived in the capital city of Ha Noi. On the first day of setting foot in the thousand-year-old capital, the delegation visited Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, the Ho Chi Minh Museum, the One Pillar Pagoda, and the Temple of Literature.
The first stop on the field trip in Ha Noi for the lecturers and students of QH22–24 was the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum - the resting place of the beloved leader who devoted his entire life to the ideals of national independence and world peace.
Stepping into the Mausoleum, everyone could clearly feel the solemn, respectful, and quiet atmosphere. Each step became slower, and each gaze seemed to deepen, for this is not only a historical monument but also a spiritual symbol for the Vietnamese people and international friends to express deep gratitude for Uncle Ho's great contributions.
In the moment of offering flowers to pay tribute to the soul of President Ho Chi Minh, the lecturers and students not only expressed their respect but also had the opportunity to reflect on the values of sacrifice, the ideal of service, and civic responsibility - qualities that shaped the stature of a great man and an entire nation.
Leaving the Mausoleum, the delegation continued to visit Ba Dinh Square, a place associated with a sacred moment in national history. It was here, on September 2, 1945, that President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. The vast, open space of the square serves as a reminder of a historical beginning, where the will for independence, the aspiration for freedom, and the self-reliant spirit of the Vietnamese nation were proclaimed to the entire world.
Students at Ba Dinh Square - Photos taken and compiled by the Faculty's Media Team
For International Relations students, this stop is not just for sightseeing and learning, but also a vivid lesson on history, sovereignty, and national identity, laying a spiritual foundation for the upcoming stages on the journey to the North.
Continuing the journey, the delegation visited the Presidential Palace Relic Site - the place associated with the time President Ho Chi Minh lived and worked from 1954 to 1969. Unlike the majesty of the Mausoleum, the atmosphere here offers a different feeling: cool, peaceful, and tranquil among hundred-year-old trees.
Here, the lecturers and students visited Uncle Ho's stilt house, the fish pond, and His office. Each structure and every object is as simple as can be, yet they contain profound spiritual values. Without ostentation or complexity, everything truthfully portrays the life of labor, contemplation, and tireless dedication of Uncle Ho - a man who chose a modest lifestyle to dedicate his entire heart and mind to the nation.
Lecturer Anh Thu (left) and Lecturer Dai Nghia (right) at Uncle Ho's stilt house - Photos taken and compiled by the Faculty's Media Team
When asked about their feelings after visiting Uncle Ho's Mausoleum, Anh Nhat - a 2nd-year International Relations student, shared: “Although time was a bit tight, the experience of stepping into the President's Mausoleum for the first time was incredibly special. What impressed me the most was the solemn and careful procedure in 'watching over Uncle's sleep'; I saw the utmost meticulousness of everyone working here. It makes me feel prouder than ever.”
Besides that, the delegation also had the opportunity to visit the One Pillar Pagoda, also known as Dien Huu Pagoda - a unique cultural symbol of Ha Noi built during the Ly Dynasty with extremely unique architecture. The delegation also visited the Ho Chi Minh Museum, which preserves and displays thousands of precious artifacts and documents related to Uncle Ho's life and revolutionary career. Through each exhibition space, students had the opportunity to look back at the important historical stages of the Vietnamese nation in the 20th century, while gaining a deeper understanding of Ho Chi Minh thought - a value system crystallizing patriotism, international spirit, and the desire for peace.
Students taking photos at the Ho Chi Minh Museum - Photos taken and compiled by the Faculty's Media Team
The final stop on the first day in Ha Noi was the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam, one of the most typical monument complexes of Thang Long - Ha Noi. This place is not only a space to worship Confucius but also Quoc Tu Giam - the first university in Vietnam, symbolizing the nation's tradition of studiousness and respect for teachers.
Within the ancient campus, students had the opportunity to participate in an incense offering ceremony, a solemn and meaningful ritual. In that silent space, history seemed to settle, allowing everyone the chance to reflect on the value of knowledge, academic ethics, and the responsibility to inherit the scholarly spirit of previous generations.
Group photo of the field trip delegation at the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam - Photos taken and compiled by the Faculty's Media Team
Khanh Linh - an International Relations student, felt very moved when experiencing the incense offering ceremony at the Temple of Literature for the first time, she said: “I felt very emotional when immersing myself in the atmosphere of the incense offering ceremony. In that moment, I felt like I was listening again to the sacred historical will of our forefathers, feeling more clearly the value of the tradition of studiousness and the spirit of respecting teachers preserved through many generations.”
On the first day in Ha Noi, the delegation had the opportunity to step into the vibrant historical-cultural space of the Capital. These initial experiences not only helped the members understand more deeply about the historical value of the Capital but also became an important foundation for subsequent activities in this meaningful field trip. Now, let's join the media team to review some memorable photos of today!!
Executed by: Faculty Media Team
|
“FOLLOWING THE NORTHERN ADVANCE” is a series of articles updating information and photos about the 2026 Domestic Field Trip Program for students of class QH22–24, International Relations major, Faculty of History and International Relations, executed by the Faculty Media Team. |
