Top 10 Vietnam Museums That Tells the Tales of the Nation

Vietnam is a diverse country. You can learn about the rich history and culture of the land from the Vietnam museums, spread across the nation. These centers try to familiarize the tourists with important national events like war and oppression, the country's diversity and heritage, and a lot more.

Here is a list of museums that tells the tale of the nation:

1. War Remnants Museum, Ho Chi Minh City

Address: Võ Văn Tần, Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam

Opening time: 7.30am – 6pm

The museum is one of the most important Vietnam museums located in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) and contains exhibits associated with the Vietnam War. Many of the exhibits retell the harrowing story of the Vietnamese who suffered miserably during the war and its subsequent period. The museum contains illustrations of brutalities, weapons used during the war including the US armored vehicles and infamous ‘tiger cage’ that was used to hold war prisoners. The trip to the museum could be an intense experience for many tourists.

2. The Robert Taylor Museum of Worldwide Arms, Vũng Tàu

Address: Tran Hung Dao Street, Vũng Tàu, Vietnam

Opening time: 8am – 6pm

The entire museum contains a huge collection of military arms, equipment, and uniforms sourced from different parts of the world. A section of the museum is dedicated to Vietnam and its conflict with America and French Colonial Rule. Apart from that, one can find Chinese and European weapons dating back to medieval times. Some of the interesting artifacts include a riffle used in the Battle of Waterloo, 1815 and a suit of armor dating back to the 15th century. Curated by Robert Taylor, the entire museum attracts a huge number of tourists each day.

3. Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture, Da Nang

Address: Hải Châu, Đà Nẵng 550000, Vietnam

Opening time: 7.00am – 5.00pm

Founded by École Française d’Extrême Orient, the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture contains one of the finest collections of Cham artifacts of the Champa Civilization (an Indic civilization that flourished in the southern parts of Vietnam). Established in 1915, this popular museum contains close to 300 artifacts. One of the popular Vietnam museums, you can find intricate altars, garudas (mythical creature in the Hindu and Buddhist mythologies), idols of Ganesha and Shiva, Apsaras (celestial nymphs residing in heaven), and so on.

4. Vietnamese Women’s Museum, Hanoi

Address: Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Hà Nội, Vietnam

Opening time: 8.00 am – 5.00 pm

This museum celebrates the role and contribution of the Vietnamese women toward shaping the history of the country. The museum contains artifacts, propaganda posters, tribal basket ware, costumes that represent the women of the nation. With labels in both French and English, the center is meant to familiarize tourists with Vietnam’s powerful female leaders. For the sake of convenience, the museum is divided into different sections like leather, textile, pottery, and so on. Overall, the museum contains close to 30,000 exhibits and is an interesting place to visit on a Hanoi day trip.

5. Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum (Bao Tang My Thuat), Hanoi

Address: Phố Nguyễn Thái Học, Hà Nội, Vietnam

Opening time: 8.30am – 5.00pm

Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum is the country’s primary art museum and contains important art pieces from eras. The museum contains close to 20,000 pieces of art. However, due to the lack of spaces, only 3,000 of the art pieces are put on display. The entire building is divided into six categories – prehistoric to remnants of the Don Son Era, 11th to 19th century, 20th century to present, ceramic, and folk art. The center also hosts art exhibitions frequently.

6. Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, Hanoi

Address: Quan Hoa, Cầu Giấy, Hà Nội 100000, Vietnam

Opening time: 8.30am – 5.30pm (Monday Closed)

Another popular tourist destination of Hanoi, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology houses collection of tribal artifacts belonging to the indigenous minorities of Vietnam. With displays labeled in Vietnamese, French, and English, visitors find it easy to identify the showpieces on display. The place is a must-visit for tourists with interests in Anthropology.

7. Vietnam Military History Museum, Hanoi

Address: Điện Bàn, Ba Đình, Hà Nội, Vietnam

Opening time: 8.00am – 11.30am, 1.00 pm – 4.30pm (Monday, Friday closed)

With a large collection of military equipment including a Soviet-built MiG -21 Jet Fighter Plane, the Vietnam Military History Museum of Hanoi is probably one of the easiest to spot Vietnam museums. Apart from the mighty Soviet build jet plane, the museum contains wreckage of French aircraft and other military gears. Close to one of the popular landmarks of Hanoi, the Flag Tower, the museum can be visited on a day trip to the city.

8. FITO Museum, Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC)

Address: Phường 12, Quận 10, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

Opening time: 8.30am – 5.00pm

The FITO Museum at HCMC is dedicated to the traditional Vietnamese medicinal techniques. The museum contains close to 3,000 artifacts – some dating back to the stone ages. Some of the items in display include mortars and pestles, knives, cabinet, traditional teapots, etc.

9. Alexandre Yersin Museum, Nha Trang

Address: Xương Huân, Thành phố Nha Trang, Khánh Hòa, Vietnam

Opening time: 7.30am – 11.30pm, 2.00am – 5.00pm (Sunday closed)

Dedicated to scientist Dr. Alexandre Yersin, the Alexandre Yersin Museum of Nha Trang is a treasure trove of science enthusiasts. The museum houses the private library and the laboratory equipment of the eminent scientists, a must-visit for the fans of Alexandre Yersin.

10. Ho Chi Minh Museum, Hanoi

Address: 19 Ngoc Ha Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Opening time: 8.00am – 12.00pm, 2.00am – 4.30pm (Monday, Friday closed)

One of the popular Vietnam museums, the museum is dedicated to the beloved Vietnamese leader of Ho Chi Minh. The museum contains artifacts and memorabilia associated with the iconic leader and Vietnam’s struggle for independence. Arranged chronologically, the center delves into the different parts of the leader’s lifespan.