Museum of Vietnam History in Ho Chi Minh City – A local guide

• Visiting information
• History of the museum
• Museum of Vietnam History exhibition
• Vietnam from prehistory to the end of the Nguyen Dynasty (1945) – No 1 Trang Tien
• Vietnam from the mid-19th century to the present – No 216 Tran Quang Khai

The Museum of Vietnam History in Ho Chi Minh City offers a captivating journey through the rich and diverse history of Vietnam. Housed in a grand French colonial building, the museum showcases a vast collection of artifacts, artworks, and exhibits that span from prehistoric times to the modern era. With its comprehensive displays and informative narratives, the museum provides you with valuable insights into the country’s ancient civilizations, cultural heritage, and historical events that have shaped Vietnam into what it is today.

Visiting information

• Address: Museum of Vietnam History, 2 Nguyen Binh Khiem Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
• Opening Times: The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. It is closed on Mondays.
• Entrance Fees: The entrance fee for adults is 40,000 VND, while students with valid ID and children under 16 years old have a reduced fee of 15,000 VND.
• Suggested visiting duration: 1 hour

The Museum of Vietnam History is located on the edge of District 1, adjacent to Saigon Zoo. It is approximately 2.5 kilometers away from Ben Thanh Market, one of the city’s main landmarks. To reach the museum, it is recommended to take a taxi or use a ride-hailing app like Grab, as it offers a convenient and reliable transportation option in the city.

The cost of a taxi ride from other locations in District 1 to the museum will likely range between 50,000 VND and 100,000 VND, depending on the exact starting point.

History of the museum

The architectural complex of the museum, spread over a 6,057 square meter precinct, consists of two buildings: the front building constructed in 1927 and the rear building added in 1970.

The building dates back to its origins as the Blanchard de la Brosse Museum, founded in 1929 and the first museum in South Vietnam. Originally showcasing ancient art from various Asian countries, it later transformed into the Museum of Vietnam History, focusing on Vietnam’s rich historical heritage.

Under the administration of the French School of the Far East, the museum displayed exhibitions on the culture and early civilizations of Asian countries from 1928 to 1975. Following the end of the Vietnam War, the museum was renovated and reopened in 1981 as the Museum of Vietnam History, later acquiring its current name in 1987. It has a vast collection that includes porcelain, Buddha statues, and artifacts related to Vietnam’s history and ancient civilization.

Museum of Vietnam History exhibition

Vietnam National Museum of History has two separate exhibition areas: No 1 Trang Tien street for Vietnam from prehistory to the end of the Nguyen Dynasty (1945), and 216 Tran Quang Khai street for Vietnam from the mid-19th century to the present.

The museum also encompasses the diverse cultures of ethnic groups in Southern Vietnam and other Asian countries. Explore their clothing, unique musical instruments, statues of deities, and tools related to agriculture, hunting and fishing.

Vietnam from prehistory to the end of the Nguyen Dynasty (1945) – No 1 Trang Tien

This section of the museum offers a fascinating journey through Vietnam’s long history. It covers the period from the earliest presence of humans in Vietnam to the nation’s initial formation, the struggle for independence, and the gradual development of a rich cultural heritage through the feudal dynasties.

Among the notable exhibits are the complete collection of Oc Eo – Phu Nam cultural relics, which provide insights into the Kingdom of Funan that occupied the southern region of Vietnam. The Champa Culture exhibition showcases exquisite sculptures influenced by Hinduism, featuring deities like Buddha, Siva, and Bodhisattva. Additionally, the museum displays creations from Indochina Fine Arts students during the French colonial period.

In addition to these specific cultures, the museum also presents a journey through different periods and dynasties in Vietnamese history. From Chinese domination and various dynasties like Hung Kings, Ngo-Dinh-Early Le, Tran-Ho, and Tay Son.

One unique exhibit is the Mummified Body of Xom Cai, discovered in a tomb in Ho Chi Minh City. This remarkably preserved body offers a rare opportunity to witness the burial customs and rituals of the 19th century.

Step outside to the outdoor area and explore a collection of cannons used in battles during the 18th and 19th centuries under the Nguyen Dynasty.

Vietnam from the mid-19th century to the present – No 216 Tran Quang Khai

At this exhibition area, you’ll delve into Vietnam’s history from the mid-19th century onward. It chronicles the struggles and heroism of the Vietnamese people during significant events, starting from the French invasion in 1858 to the conclusion of the Vietnam War in 1975 with U.S. intervention. The permanent exhibition presents the lives of the Vietnamese people during wartime, highlighting their resilience, work, and efforts in rebuilding the nation after the war.

This section also features over 100 original artifacts, which were gifted to President Ho Chi Minh and the Vietnamese Communist Party by local and international citizens. Furthermore, the front and back yard areas of the museum display notable historical objects, including a car presented to the Communist Party of Vietnam by the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in 1954.

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