The 10 Best Museums in Hanoi

There are many museums in Hanoi and making a choice is quite complicated, here is a list of museums that you can't miss during your stay in Hanoi. I hope you will find your happiness among this list.

Table of content

1. Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

Certainly, one of the most captivating museums in Hanoi, this museum allows you to learn more about Vietnamese culture and the multitudes of ethnic groups present in Vietnam. This colourful museum will fill your eyes. It includes a research centre, several libraries, a warehouse with collection pieces, activities for children and water puppet shows are regularly organised. The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is divided into several parts.

First, you will find the Trong Dong, "bronze drum", this part is one of the most exciting. On the second floor, you will be immersed in the universe of the ethnic groups of Vietnam thanks to the permanent exhibition which explains the history of this beautiful country, the customs, religions, traditional clothing, ornaments, weapons, musical instruments,... But also many photographs and audiovisual documents. Temporary exhibitions are also organised and change quite often.

Then, the Southeast Asia Building, "Flying Kite", is dedicated to the different cultures of Southeast Asia in general, an ideal place for people who would like to know more about art, textile, beliefs and daily life.

Finally, an outdoor exhibition, an architectural garden, with typical traditional houses await you. For example, the common house of the Banhar, the long house of the Ede or the tomb of the Raglai.

To visit this museum which aims to preserve the heritage and promote the socio-cultural diversity of the country, please allow for a half-day visit or a minimum of 1.5 hours.

Price:

• Adults: 40.000 VND / plus or minus 1.80 USD
• Students, elderly or disabled people: 15,000 VND ( You need to show an ID or student card )
• Children under 15 years old: free

Openings hours:

• Every day except Monday and Lunar New Year's Eve.
• Open time: 08:00 AM - 5:30 PM

Address: Nguyen Van Huyen street, Cau Giay district, Hanoi

2. Vietnamese Women's Museum

This museum highlights the Vietnamese woman through history, family life, Vietnamese fashion with beautiful colourful traditional costumes or by the collection of photos or other various objects. You will learn things like the rituals related to engagement and marriage, the education of children, the history of some heroines during the war,...

Vietnamese Women's Museum's mission is to research but also to present the material and immaterial history and cultural heritage of Vietnamese women, it’s a centre of dialogues between women from all over the world to fight against gender inequality, development, peace as well as to improve public knowledge.

The recommended duration of the visit is 1-2 hours.

Openings hours:

• Every day
• Open time: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Address: 36, Ly Thuong Kiet, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi (in the heart of the French Quarter )

3. Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum

Being one of the best museums in Hanoi, Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum explains the evolution and characteristics of Vietnamese art on more than 4,700 square metres and three floors. The museum is divided into 5 different sections: prehistoric art, Vietnamese art from the 11th to the 19th century, Vietnamese art in the 20th century, folk art collections and Vietnamese ceramic art. It is the perfect place for art lovers. There are countless masterpieces and unique collections such as statues of Buddha, paintings on silk typical of Vietnam or the beautiful Goddess of Mercy with a thousand eyes and arms.

Price:

• Adult : 30.000VND
• Child : 10.000VND

Openings: 

• Every day except Monday
• Open time: 8:30 AM - 05:00 PM or 09:00 PM on Wednesday and Saturday

Address: 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Ba Dinh district, Hanoi

4. Hoa Lo Prison Relic

Hoa Lo Prision, built at the time when Indochina belonged to the French, was one of the largest in all of Indochina. American military pilots were locked up here after their planes were spat out. A visit to this prison, which has now become a museum, will not leave you indifferent to the explanations of human cruelty during the Vietnam War. There is a reconstruction of the living conditions of the prisoners of the time, you can discover the cells of the time, the guillotine or uniforms. 

The visit can be done with a guide or an audio guide.

Price: 

• Adult: 30.000VND
• Student, senior citizen: 15.000VND
• Child under 15 years old, disabled person, member of the State Prison Liaison Committee: free

Openings: 

• Every day
• Open between 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Address: No. 1 Hoa Lo, Tran Hung Dao, Hoan Kiem District, Ha Noi

5. Ho Chi Minh Museum

If you are interested in Vietnamese history or colonial architecture, Ho Chi Minh museum will appeal to you. During the visit, you will be immersed in the communist and propaganda atmosphere of the Ho Chi Minh era. This Ho Chi Minh Memorial Museum is dedicated to the memory, memories and teachings of Ho Chi Minh who is considered the father of the Vietnamese nation because he fought for the independence of Vietnam.

Many objects are exposed, there is also a library with many documents, books and articles dedicated to the president, some scientific activities are also held there in order to constantly deepen their research. 

The audio guide service is available in English and Chinese. 

The recommended duration of the visit is 2 to 3 hours.

This visit can be combined with the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum which is located next door.

Price: 40.000VND/pax

Openings:

• Tuesday to Sunday except Friday
• Open time: 08:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 02:00 PM - 04:30 PM

Address: 19 Ngoc Ha, Ba Dinh district, Hanoi

6. Vietnam Military History Museum

The museum of military history located next to the statue of Lenin in the heart of Hanoi, traces the history of wars and battles in Vietnam. There are many remains of tanks, planes in an inner courtyard, documents, objects, uniforms and photos in a part dedicated to the history of the Japanese occupation, French, ... until the Second World War. But also discover what are their secrets to have succeeded in having their independence.

Price: 40.000VND/pax

Openings hours: 

• Every day (Monday and Friday are dedicated to groups of more than 150 visitors)
• Opening time: 08:00 AM - 11:30 AM and 01:00 PM - 04:30 PM

Address: 28 Dien Bien Phu, Ba Dinh district, Hanoi

7. National Museum of Vietnamese History

Among the most beautiful French colonial buildings in Hanoi, National Museum of Vietnamese History with Indo-Chinese architecture is one of the first in Vietnam whose design was entirely directed by a Frenchman, Ernest Hébrard. Many unique collections from the prehistoric era to the contemporary era are housed here. For example, a collection of Champa sculptures, the seven bronze drums of the Dong culture, Buddhist and Hindu sculptures... This quiet museum is divided into two different buildings not far from each other. It will take you one hour, maybe two to visit it.

Price: 

• 40,000VND/pax
• Free for children under 6 years old.

Openings hours: 

• Every day except Monday
• Opening time: 08:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 01:30 PM - 05:00 PM

Address: 01, Trang Tien Street and 216, Tran Quang Khai Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

8. Air Force and Air Defence Museum

Immerse yourself in the history of the war in Vietnam, tanks, legendary special forces aircraft, weapons, the remains of this endless war can be found in this museum which has an indoor and an open-air part. This museum is entirely dedicated to the air force during the different wars. It is a place of memory filled with rare and attractive objects, which is worth a visit.

Openings: Every day except Friday

Opening time: 08:00 AM - 11:00 AM and 01:00 PM - 04:00 PM

Address: 173C Truong Chinh street, Khuong Mai, Thanh Xuan district, Hanoi

9. Bat Trang Pottery Museum

Created to help the development of ancient villages but also to preserve the values of handicrafts, the museum is located in the pottery village in Bat Trang. It consists of a part dedicated to pottery crafts where artisans can exhibit their works and create a real connection with visitors. As well as a central part with exhibitions of art pottery, of all types, from the most ancient to the most modern. 

The real plus of this place is that visitors can have fun creating their own products.

Openings: 

• Every day
• Opening time: 08:00 AM - 06:00 PM

Address: Xuan Quan, Van Giang, Hung Yen

10. Thang Long Citadel Archaeological Site Museum

The museum is located in the beautiful citadel of Thang Long, and is a good idea for an extra visit not to be missed in Hanoi. It is located in the basement of the National Assembly building and is filled with antiques, traditional and historical values. It is the first archeological museum in Vietnam and many relics are carefully preserved here. Each floor has its own theme, with all kinds of amazing objects. In order to create an interesting visual experience, the traditional exhibits are enhanced with various lights and other technological and modern animations. Visitors will even be allowed to walk on a glass floor and walk over the excavation pits.

Price:

Free (Entrance to the citadel costs 30,000VND )

Openings:

• Every day except Sunday and public holidays
• From 9am to 4pm

Address: 19C Hoang Dieu str., Dien Bien, Ba Dinh district, Hanoi

Tip: Visit the museums during the week because it’s much more crowded on the weekend.

Feel free to tell us what you think or if you want more information about museums in Hanoi.

Enjoy your visit!

(photo: internet)

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