Vietnam History Museum
The oldest of its kind in Vietnam, Vietnam History Museum was renovated from the French Ecole Française d’Extreme Orient.
Location & History
The Vietnam History Museum is nestled adjacent to the iconic Hanoi Opera House, located at 1 Pham Ngu Lao Street, Hoan Kiem District. Established in 1926 as the Louis Finot Museum by the Ecole Française d’Extreme-Orient, it was completed in 1932. Following its acquisition by the Vietnamese government, the museum was renamed the Museum of Vietnam History and opened to the public on September 3, 1958.
Photo: chaohanoi.com
What to see
Although the museum spans just 2,000 m², it offers a comprehensive overview of Vietnam's history through a chronological layout. The two-story building divides the nation's history into ten distinct sections, from prehistoric times to the pivotal moment when President Ho Chi Minh proclaimed Vietnam's independence.
Photo: nemtv.vn
Housing over 7,000 valuable artifacts, including some that are thousands of years old, the museum showcases the cultural richness of the country. The historic objects on display include artifacts from Vietnamese culture, as well as influences from China, Japan, Thailand, and the Cham civilization, featuring more than 50 stone engravings dating back to the 7th-13th centuries.
Photo: internet
Visitors are encouraged to engage their imagination and sensitivity to fully appreciate the artifacts and relics on exhibit. While exploring the museum, one may find that the descriptions of the objects are limited, primarily written in Vietnamese, providing only basic identification rather than deeper contextual meanings.
How to get there
The Vietnam History Museum is open to visitors daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with an admission fee of VND 50,000 (approximately US$ 2.10). There is an additional fee of VND 30,000 (approximately US$ 1.25) for photography inside the museum. It is conveniently located behind the Hanoi Opera House, at 1 Pham Ngu Lao Street, Hoan Kiem District, making it easy to find for both locals and tourists.
Useful Information
- Location: 1 Pham Ngu Lao Street, Hanoi
- Best for: Family, couple, solo
- Entrance: 20,000
- Hours: 8:00 - 16:00
- Distance to city center: 2.6km (1.6 mi)
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