Sadly, Vietnam is a country that was shaped by conflicts and wars. But it always rose from the ashes like a phoenix. As the famous saying goes: “those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it”. Definitely check the museums listed below during your Vietnamese trip. From dynasties to colonialists and neighbouring countries, everyone has left their mark. Culture and ethnology are amazing, too - did you know that Vietnam has over 50 ethnic groups, over 100 dialects, and around 10 minority languages? Museums that we picked here present history, culture, and even famous people, such as Hồ Chí Minh’s life and legacy. Discover them all in this list of top museums in Vietnam.
1. Vietnam Military History Museum, Hà Nội
Vietnam was always tormented by conflicts, from ancient, imperial, dynastic, colonial, to republic times. Vietnam Military History Museum, one of seven national museums, is dedicated to several conflicts, in detail. It covers 12,800 square metres (202.361 square feet.) If you are in Hanoi, head here to learn about the First and Second Indochina wars and see artefacts, such as tanks, guns, and planes. For example, you can see B-52 bomber, which, if you’ll discover Hanoi more, can be seen peeking out of Huu Tiep Lake, where it fell. And these two spots are only 2 kilometres apart (1.2 miles!)
Vietnam Military History Museum
Address: 28A Điện Biên Phủ, Điện Bàn, Ba Đình, Hà Nội, Vietnam
Website: Vietnam Military History Museum
Opening hours: Tue - Thu, Sat - Sun: 8am - 11:30pm, 1pm - 4:30pm (closed on Mon & Fri)
Price: 20,000 - 40,000 VND (1 - 2 USD)
2. Vietnam Museum Of Ethnology, Hà Nội (from USD 42.0)
This is another museum in Vietnam where you can learn about the past and how it shaped the present. You will get a chance to see the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh, president of North Vietnam from 1954 to 1969. This tour also includes a visit to a unique One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature (the first university in Vietnam), and a tasty lunch. If you book for Mondays, Wednesdays, or Fridays, you will visit the Bat Trang ceramics and pottery village as well. The creations of artisans working there are amazing.
Hanoi Must-See City Full Day: Museum of Ethnology & Lunch
Duration: 1.0 day
3. Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum, Hà Nội
This is another museum located in the capital, plus it is easy to combine with a visit to The Temple of Literature. Sculptures - whether wood and stone - as well as paintings can be adored here. It is Vietnam’s main art museum. From the nine national treasures which are kept safe here, folk art, collections of silk and lacquer paintings, and ceramic art, art lovers will really enjoy this museum. They regularly organise workshops, events, and educational activities as well. If you get hungry, we recommend walking 600 metres (656.1 yards) to the famous Chicken Street. Tender barbequed chicken bits (even feet, if you dare) and honey bread are insanely tasty here.
Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum
Address: 66 Phố Nguyễn Thái Học, Điện Bàn, Ba Đình, Hà Nội, Vietnam
Website: Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum
Opening hours: 8:30am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 40,000 VND (2 USD)
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4. Vietnam Women Museum, Hà Nội
Although Vietnam is a patriarchal society, this museum especially celebrates all women. It is one of the most popular museums in Hanoi. It is very informative and will let you learn about everything from culture (such as ethnic traditional dresses) to relationships (role of single mothers), and female warriors. If you’ll visit and want to learn more, we recommend the book called: “For Two Cows I Ain’t Half‑Bad: The Memoir of a Young Girl in Vietnam.” Vietnam Women Museum is truly eye-opening.
Vietnam Women Museum
Address: 36 Lý Thường Kiệt, Hàng Bài, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam
Website: Vietnam Women Museum
Opening hours: 8am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 30,000 VND (1 USD)
5. War Remnants Museum, Hồ Chí Minh (from USD 55.0)
Discover War Remnants Museum, as well as the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, where Viet Cong soldiers were hiding. Believe us, without the guide, you would not find the entrance! This full-day group tour will allow you to see through both the Vietnamese perspective and American perspective on the Second Indochina War. Did you know, that Vietnamese call it the American War and Western countries call it the Vietnam war? Either way, more than 3 million people were killed and many affected. The museum displays photographs, documents, and even military equipment outside. Warning: “tiger cages" in which they kept prisoners or fetuses exposed to Agent Orange, preserved in formaldehyde, might shake you to the core.
Ho Chi Minh City: War Remnants Museum & Cu Chi Tunnels Tour
Duration: 12.0 hour
6. Museum of Vietnamese History,Hồ Chí Minh
This is another museum in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), but this one introduces you to the pre-colonial history, starting from the Bronze Age. Reserve two hours for it. The Champa artefacts, such as statues and stone inscriptions almost looking they are from India, are especially beautiful. The Champa Kingdom once occupied what is now southern Vietnam. With mummies, old musical instruments, and traditional costumes, it is worth every penny (and is cheap, at that!) It is also very close to Botanical Gardens, where you can go for a stroll if you are not too tired.
Museum of Vietnamese History
Address: 2 Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Opening hours: 8am - 11:30am, 1:30pm - 5pm (daily)
Price: 30,000 VND (1 USD)
7. Hanoi Police Museum, Hà Nội
Are you visiting “Hanoi Hilton?” No, we do not mean the hotel chain. That was the nickname of Hoa Lo Prison. Hanoi Police Museum, in Hoan Kiem area, is located close to it so you can easily visit both! And the entry is free. You can see different uniforms with badges and ranks, guns, motorbikes, spy stories, even pictures or recent cases the police cracked and exhibits of illegal substances (Vietnam, after all, still had a death sentence for this before 2016). This museum is small but clean and exhibits are well-tagged and in chronological order. Reserve 30 minutes to visit it.
Hanoi Police Museum
Address: 67 Lý Thường Kiệt, Trần Hưng Đạo, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam
Website: Hanoi Police Museum
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 8am - 4:30pm (closed on Sun & Mon)
Price: Free
8. Worldwide Arms Museum, Vũng Tầu
You might have never heard about Vũng Tàu, once a seaside resort of the French living in Saigon. But if you are a military history lover, open a map. Worldwide Arms Museum is located here. Military uniforms, helmets, and weapons from all over the world are on display here as well. Actually, there are almost 3,000 of them, from swords, knives, guns, uniforms, medals, to paintings. And you can snap a picture, u-close. Fun fact: it was the first privately owned museum in the country, and it was started by a Brit who married a local.
Worldwide Arms Museum
Address: 98 Trần Hưng Đạo, Phường 1, Thành phố Vũng Tầu, Bà Rịa - Vũng Tàu, Vietnam
Website: Worldwide Arms Museum
Opening hours: Thu - Thu: 8am - 6pm; Wed: 8am - 4:45pm
Price: 100,000 VND (4,32 USD)
9. Đà Nẵng Museum of Cham Sculpture, Đà Nẵng
The establishment was first proposed in 1902, and it was one of the first museums built (1915)! After all, the Cham culture was very unique. If you will find yourself in Danang, include it in your itinerary. Detailed carvings of around 300 pieces will stun you. Reserve two hours to visit it. You can even download an app that helps you when you walk around the museum. And if you will like this museum, look into a trip to My Son Sanctuary, sometimes nicknamed The Vietnamese Mini Angkor Wat.
Đà Nẵng Museum of Cham Sculpture
Address: Số 02 2 Tháng 9, Bình Hiên, Hải Châu, Đà Nẵng 550000, Vietnam
Website: Đà Nẵng Museum of Cham Sculpture
Opening hours: 7am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 40,000 VND (2 USD)
10. Hồ Chí Minh City Museum, Hồ Chí Minh (from USD 45.0)
This 21.6 meters (70.9 feet) tall building is impressive. And at night, when it lights up, people walk around on the grass - a truly magical sight. It is a mausoleum inspired by Lenin’s Mausoleum in Russia and there is a museum next to it, as well. Learn about the role of Ho Chi Minh, or Uncle Ho, as locals fondly call him, with a private tour guide. Vietnamese street food dinner after the tour is included in the price. Try local soup, snacks, or noodle dishes. Drinks are available for purchase.
Visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum at night
Duration: 4 hours
Learn about Vietnamese history in museums - from Hanoi to Saigon
Vietnamese culture, that is an alluring combination of local traditions and Chinese, French, and American influences. Nowadays, even Japanese or Korean. And its history shaped it present in a way that is so much different from other Southeast Asian countries. If you read “Vietnam”, the first thing that might come to your mind might be photogenic Halong Bay, street food, or war. But there is so much more. Local art, from embroidering to lacquer techniques, artefacts, or paintings, are not to be missed. We have compiled a mix of everything, that a visitor might find interesting in museums in Vietnam here.
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