Oceanographic Museum of Vietnam

History & Location

The Museum is located at 1 Cau Da St., approximately 5km from Nha Trang City Center, situated at the foot of the picturesque outcrop where Bao Dai Village is designed within a grand French-colonial building. Opened to the public on September 14, 1922, it continues to be a favored destination for both domestic and international tourists in 2025.

What To See

This museum presents an unparalleled collection of marine life from the Eastern Sea, particularly emphasizing the biodiversity found in the bays of Thailand, the Paracels (Hoàng Sa) and Spratlys (Trường Sa) archipelagos, the coastal regions of Vietnam, and the Gulf of Vân Phong.
Photo: nemtv.vn

The museum's collection is displayed across two floors. The ground floor features aquariums of various sizes that showcase an array of marine life, including reef sharks, turtles, living coral, anemones, puffers, lionfish, clownfish, seahorses, and a vibrant selection of reef species, some of which are exclusive to this region. Each exhibits a label detailing their name, origin, and characteristics, available in both Vietnamese and English.
Photo: betour.com.vn

The upper floor is dedicated to showcasing specimens, local boats, fishing artifacts, and an impressive 18-meter-long whale skeleton. Over its extensive history, the museum has accumulated a collection of more than 20,000 specimens of tropical marine creatures. In addition to living fish, the exhibits include rare species’ skeletons and bodies preserved in formaldehyde. The collection also features endemic species from the Cambodian-Vietnamese seas and other nearby nations, including exceptionally rare finds like the dugong or sea cow. Children particularly enjoy observing the large tropical turtles and crocodiles.
Photo: Internet

In addition to the aquariums, the National Oceanographic Museum of Vietnam contains several themed rooms focusing on marine science and the history of research equipment and technology. Notable exhibitions include: “From Light to Life” (which highlights algae and phytoplankton), “Life in a Drop of Water” (showcasing microscopic aquatic organisms), and rooms dedicated to illustrating coastal natural disasters, sacred legends, as well as the traditions and cultural practices associated with Vietnamese fishing.

How To Get There

The museum is open daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with an entrance fee of VND 40,000 for adults in 2025. Traveling by motorbike or car is convenient and recommended for accessing the museum.

Useful Information