The 10 Best Small Museums in Vietnam That Might Be the Highlight of Your Trip
Big museums are fascinating, but Vietnam’s small museums offer a more personal and unique experience. They’re not the typical tourist spots, but it’s what makes them special.
They offer a glimpse into the country’s rich history and culture through ancient relics and hidden collections. As such, they’re perfect for people who want to step away from the beach or the bustling streets, allowing you to experience Vietnam like never before.
Take a look into what you should include in your itinerary below!
1. Vietnamese Women’s Museum
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Website: https://baotangphunu.org.vn/
Address: 36 Ly Thuong Kiet Ward, Hang Bai, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Contact details: +84 24 3936 5973
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday, 8 AM to 5 PM
The Vietnamese Women’s Museum is an inspiring tribute to the beauty and resilience of Vietnamese women throughout history in the heart of Hanoi. Just a short walk from Hoan Kiem Lake, the museum features heartfelt stories and rich local culture.
Inside, you’ll see beautiful traditional clothing and creative patterns from various ethnic groups, as well as their family lives. Each floor features a different exhibit, with fascinating photos and personal items.
One of their most moving displays is about the role and participation of Vietnamese women in the resistance wars. Letters, portraits, and personal stories highlighting their bravery and sacrifice can make you emotional yet inspired.
You only need 1-2 hours here, but don’t be in a rush. Instead, embrace its moving history and leave with a deeper appreciation of Vietnam’s cultural memory.
Pro tip:
While the museum itself is already inspirational, it’s best to get the audio guide to connect more deeply with the women behind the artifacts. It’s available in Vietnamese, English, Korean, French, and Japanese.
2. Museum of Folk Culture
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Address: 33 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Minh An Ward, Hoi An, Quang Nam
Contact details: +84 235 3910 948
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday, 7 AM to 9:30 PM
The Museum of Folk Culture in Hoi An celebrates the culture and tradition of indigenous groups in Vietnam. Nestled in a centuries-old residential building, it’s an intimate space that feels like walking into a home rather than a museum.
The museum showcases the town’s time-honored traditions, with displays of traditional clothing, farming tools, and local crafts. The exhibits perfectly capture their daily lives and customs.
One of the museum’s most popular exhibits is its collection of local festivals and folk performances. Here, you’ll find colorful costumes and lifelike models, such as the Vietnamese Heavenly Dog dance, which captivates visitors from all over.
You can easily squeeze your visit to the museum into your itinerary since you only need less than an hour to explore. It’s a perfect stop to slow down and connect with the local heritage.
Pro tip:
Your ticket to Hoi An’s Ancient Town includes access to the Museum of Folk Culture. Tour around the town and be amazed by its Chinese, Vietnamese, French, and Japanese architecture.
3. Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine
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Website: http://fitomuseum.com.vn/
Address: 41 Hoang Du Khuong, Ward 12, District 10, Ho Chi Minh
Contact details: +84 28 3864 2430
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday, 8:30 AM to 5 PM
Also known as the Fito Museum, the Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine transports visitors into a world of healing, herbs, and well-preserved wisdom. Hidden in a quiet corner in Ho Chi Minh City, the museum’s wooden architecture and earthy tones bring a sense of calmness.
Inside its 18 exhibitions, you will see dried herbs, traditional tools, and old medicinal texts. The museum is truly a time capsule of traditional medicine that guides visitors to the evolution of Eastern Medicine.
One of its highlights is the recreation of traditional pharmacy and treatment rooms. Here, you’ll find acupuncture tools and jars of preserved herbs, showcasing how the Vietnamese approached wellness long before modern medicine.
Even if you’re not a history buff or a fan of holistic health, the museum still offers a unique experience for anyone wanting a calming experience.
Pro tip:
After the tour, visitors can engage in various activities, such as medicine preparation and medical consultations with detailed health treatment recommendations. Additionally, guests can purchase dried herbs inside the museum.
4. War Remnants Museum
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Website: https://baotangchungtichchientranh.vn/
Address: Ward 6, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
Contact details: +84 28 3930 5587
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday, 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM
The War Remnants Museum features a raw and honest look at the harsh realities of the Second Indochina War and its profound impact on Vietnam. Going to the museum isn’t a light visit, but it’s an important one.
Established in central Ho Chi Minh City, the museum holds a collection of weapons, tanks, and haunting photos that show the heartbreaking accounts from both Vietnamese and foreign soldiers. Some of these are emotionally heavy and can be difficult to take in.
The museum also features a courtyard where you can see old military airplanes, helicopters, and armored tanks. Disarmed missiles and bombs are also on display, which can be equally educational and disturbing for visitors.
Plan an hour or more of your time when visiting here. This museum is ideal for those who want to experience Vietnam outside of its popular tourist spots.
Pro tip:
Thousands of people visit the museum annually, so it’s best to arrive early to avoid the crowd and long lines. Additionally, some of the displays, especially in the Agent Orange exhibit, may be too intense for some visitors.
5. Museum of Ethnology
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Website: http://www.vme.org.vn/
Address: D. Nguyen Van Huyen, Quan Hoa, Cau Giay, Hanoi
Contact details: +84 24 3756 2193
Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Located in the heart of Hanoi, the Museum of Ethnology offers a mesmerizing glimpse into the livelihoods, rituals, and customs of the country’s diverse ethnic groups.
Inside, you’ll see the carefully curated displays of ceremonial clothing and jewelry, tools, and even musical instruments. Each artifact is thoroughly presented in a way that will captivate visitors long after their visit.
You can also enjoy the museum’s architectural garden, which features full-scale replicas of ethnic homes from various tribes. Aside from the country’s ethnic groups, you can also take a peek into other cultures outside the country, particularly in Southeast Asia.
The Museum of Ethnology is massive, and you would probably need 2-3 hours to explore all the exhibits. However, its interactive and immersive displays make it a must-see when you’re in Hanoi.
Pro tip:
You can go inside the reconstructed houses in the Architecture Garden to get a real sense of how different ethnic communities live.
6. Museum of Ho Chi Minh City
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Website: https://hcmc-museum.edu.vn/
Address: 65 Ly Tu Trong, Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh
Contact details: +84 28 3829 9741
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday, 8 AM to 5 PM
The Museum of Ho Chi Minh City sits inside a beautiful French colonial building, complete with grand staircases and a polished interior. It’s one of the best places to learn about the city’s past while being stunned by its elegant architecture.
Inside, you’ll find rooms filled with various artifacts and memorabilia, including old photos, military artifacts, and maps showing how the city grew from a simple trading post to a bustling metropolis.
The museum also has an exhibit dedicated to the city’s revolutionary history where you’ll see photos and personal belongings of historical figures, which perfectly capture Vietnam’s struggle for independence.
Even with displays inside and outside the building, the museum isn’t too big, so you’ll have plenty of time to take in the breathtaking history of Ho Chi Minh City.
Pro tip:
If you have the time, the museum is near the historical Ho Chi Minh Birthplace Memorial, which is the birthplace of national hero and leader, President Ho Chi Minh.
7. Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts
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Website: http://baotangmythuattphcm.com.vn/
Address: No. 97A, Pho Duc Chinh Street, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Contact details: +842838216331
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday, 8 AM to 5 PM
At the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts, you’ll see everything from contemporary art to artifacts. Each piece perfectly captures Vietnam’s artistic spirit and vibrant history.
You’ll surely be impressed with the museum’s assortment of vintage Buddhist art, with the earliest dating back to the 4th century.
Before heading out, be sure to check out the museum’s open-air courtyard. Here, you’ll find sculptures, large-scale art installations, and cozy, shaded spots so you can take a breather before going to your next destination.
Plus, the building itself is a piece of art with its elegant architecture.
Pro tip:
Don’t just follow the main walkway! Some of the museum’s interesting pieces are discreetly located in its less obvious rooms and corners.
8. Museum of Cham Sculpture
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Website: http://chammuseum.vn/
Address: No. 02 D. September 2, Binh Hien, Hai Chau, Da Nang
Contact details: +84 236 3572 935
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday, 7 AM to 5 PM
While the city of Da Nang is full of resorts and is home to two UNESCO World Heritage sites—Hoi An Ancient Town and My Son Sanctuary—it’s also where the Museum of Cham Sculpture stands.
The museum houses the largest collection of Cham statues and artifacts from the Champa Kingdom, with many dating back over a thousand years. Each piece showcases the kingdom’s rich spirituality and how Hinduism influenced their art and way of life.
Another interesting fact about the museum is its design. Its architecture has a perfect blend of European Gothic design and Cham traditional art, which complements its displays.
With over 500 national treasures and Chapa sculptures from the 5th to the 15th century, you should take time to admire all the pieces and be connected with Vietnam’s outstanding history.
Pro tip:
If you want to explore outdoors, visit the nearby Marble Mountains. Here, you can see unique geological formations and a network of caves. Just make sure to wear comfy shoes!
9. Con Dao Prison Museum
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Address: Nguyen Chi Thanh, Con Dao, Ba Ria – Vung Tau
Contact details: +84 254 3830 134
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday, 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM to 5 PM
Visiting the Con Dao Prison Museum is truly an unforgettable experience. Located in the quiet Con Dao Island, it’s hard to believe that this serene, peaceful island was once home to the most notorious prison colony in Vietnam.
As you enter the prison grounds, you can almost feel the weight of the past. Inside, you’ll see the infamous “tiger cages,” where political prisoners were confined in the harshest conditions inside a narrow, cramped cell.
The museum isn’t an easy visit. Throughout the facility, there are sculptures depicting the prisoners’ life inside their cells, as well as brutal reenactments.
However, it does a thoughtful job of telling the stories of the revolutionists who fought for their country’s freedom.
If you’re heading to Con Dao for its sandy beaches and marine life, don’t forget to visit the museum as well. It may be harsh for some visitors, but it perfectly captures the resilience and strength of the Vietnamese people.
Pro tip:
Explore slowly. Start walking through the outdoor exhibit first before heading inside to the heavier displays, like the tiger cages so you won’t get overwhelmed with the content and layout of the museum.
10. Da Nang Fine Arts Museum
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Website: http://dnfam.vn/
Address: 78 D. Le Duan, Thach Thang, Hai Chau, Da Nang
Contact details: +84 236 3865 663
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday, 8 AM to 5 PM
If you are passionate about art, culture, and creativity, the Da Nang Fine Arts Museum is worth the visit. Situated in the vibrant city of Da Nang, the museum features not only the artistic heritage of the region but also the works of local artists.
Inside, you’ll find everything from bold, contemporary artworks to traditional pieces such as costumes and jewelry from the Truong Son ethnic group. Additionally, the ground floor hosts rotating exhibits, so you’ll always see something new here.
With only three floors, the museum is easy to explore. It has a welcoming atmosphere that can make anyone want to visit, whether you’re an art lover or just passing the time.
If you need a break from the beach, the museum is a great place to chill for 1-2 hours away from the crowd.
Pro tip:
The Da Nang Fine Arts Museum is a great place to see Vietnam’s emerging talents. Plus, each piece has English descriptions, which makes it easier to know the artist!