Overview of Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is one of the most special museums in Vietnam. It welcomes you into the kaleidoscopic world of Vietnamese ethnic minorities by unveiling their traditions and lifestyles through signature artifacts. Located in Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, it has garnered significant attention and become one of the most notable attractions to explore here.
- Address: Nguyen Van Huyen Street, Cau Giay District, Hanoi
- Opening hours: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM every day, except Mondays
- Phone number: (+84) 24 3756 2193
- Email: information@vme.org.vn
- Website: http://www.vme.org.vn
Step into a world where Vietnam’s rich cultural tapestry comes to life at Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. In a prominent tourist destination like Hanoi, this museum stands out as an eye-opening attraction, providing visitors with an experience like none other, one that combines invaluable knowledge alongside a sense of appreciation for culture.
The idea of building this vibrant testament to the multi-faceted Vietnamese culture came to be in the late 20th century, which finally came to fruition in 1997. Over the next 27 years, with countless exhibitions and events under its belt, Vietnam Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi has earned some major accolades. For three consecutive years from 2012 to 2014, it was ranked 4th out of the 25 most interesting museums in Asia by TripAdvisor.
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The fees at Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology entrance fee is 40,000 VND/person. Visitors can receive a discount on their Vietnam Museum of Ethnology tickets if they are the elderly or people with disability (50% off). Additionally, visitors can enter the museum free of charge if they are:
- Children younger than 6
- People with major disability
- ICOM card owners
- Museum membership card owners
- Journalists (with valid press cards)
- Sponsor representatives
Aside from the entrance fee, visitors may also pay for additional services like:
- Photography:
- Standard camera: 50,000 VND/camera
- Professional camera: 500,000 VND/camera
- Tour guide:
- Indoor Vietnamese guide: 50,000 VND
- Outdoor Vietnamese guid: 50,000 VND
- Indoor and outdoor Vietnamese guide: 100,000 VND
- Indoor English or French guide: 100,000 VND
Note that these details are strictly for reference purposes and may be subject to change over time. To get the most up-to-date information about the fees, contact the hotline of the museum:
- (+84) 24 3756 2193 (#100, except Mondays)
- (+84) 24 3836 0352 (#123, except Mondays)
- (+84) 24 3756 2193 (except Saturdays and Sundays)
The Architecture of Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
What makes the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology so special? Here, not only are the artifacts fascinating, the architectural traits of the buildings are also nothing short of spectacular. The three areas of the museum all possess unique characteristics that reflect different aspects of Vietnamese culture.
Trong Dong Building
Trong Dong Building is dedicated to exhibitions, drawing inspiration from the elegant circular shape of the traditional instrument of the same name. It serves as a nod to the ancient Dong Son culture, the one that architect Ha Duc Linh, a member of the Tay people, grew up with. With a total area of over 2,000 square meters across two floors, the building houses various artifacts of all 54 ethnic minorities, giving visitors a seamless journey through all the exhibitions.
Canh Dieu Building
The other building for exhibitions of the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology takes on a more ubiquitous and homier image for Vietnamese people: the kite. This building has four floors, with the top one specifically designed for artifact restoration and conservation, while the other three are mostly open to the public, bar a few offices. Since the kite is synonymous with Asian culture as a whole, visitors can also expect exhibitions of foreign cultures alongside an auditorium, cinema, and multimedia room.
Kien Truc Garden
The last area is a garden that leads you to 10 different traditional buildings of ethnic groups like the Viet, Cham, Bahnar, Ede, Giarai, Cotu, Tay, Yao, Hmong, and Hanhi. This melting pot of architectural styles from all across Vietnam not only includes buildings but also an artificial stream. The stream leads you to a water puppet performance stage, where there will be weekly shows.
The exhibitions at Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
The spectacular architecture is a nice touch, but what most people are looking for in their visit to the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is the opportunity to turn back the clock and admire the traditional artifacts on display here.
Permanent exhibitions
In these exhibitions, you will find yourself surrounded by a treasure trove of artifacts from Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. From intricately woven textile, jewelry, and musical instruments to centuries-old farming tools and weapons, every object tells a story about the lifestyle of Vietnamese ethnic minorities. The tour will take you through 12 unique areas in Trong Dong Building, covering all of the ethnic groups. To continue your exploration, there are four other exhibitions dedicated to Southeast Asian cultures.
Other than that, you can get a closer look at the life of these ethnic groups through movies and documentaries. Moving outside, the life-sized replicas of traditional homes at Kien Truc Garden await with weekend water puppet shows. To give all visitors the best experience, each item is captioned in Vietnamese, English, and French, allowing foreign culture enthusiasts to learn the story behind everything. The museum has also prepared flyers in various languages free of charge.
Temporary exhibitions
These events can keep things fresh and exciting, beckoning history buffs to come back. They delve into a wide variety of topics such as in-depth research about specific regions of Vietnam, special glimpses into culturally significant spots and events around the world, and collaborations with reputable photographers. The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology has constantly been improving their cultural exchange efforts between Vietnam and other countries by giving their passionate visitors plenty of educational experiences with these event exhibitions.
Virtual exhibitions
As technological advancement hits the scene, the museum has implemented many virtual exhibitions to bring Vietnamese culture to eager visitors. The idea came to fruition back in the pandemic period and it proved to be a real treat for tech-savvy explorers. Using cutting-edge digital technology, these displays can transport visitors to their destinations, giving them the most realistic experience possible through a computer screen.
Maybe you are interested in other attractions in Hanoi, such as Temple of Literature, Hoa Lo Prison, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple,…
Things to do at Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
Checking out the artifacts is surely the best thing to do at the museum, but that is not all. Learning about culture is a comprehensive experience and that is exactly what you can expect here.
Learn about the culture of various ethnic groups
The full-on cultural immersion experience begins with the artifacts, but what if you want to learn more? The multimedia room is the place to be. Settle in for a cinematic journey through Vietnam’s ethnic landscapes in a room that can house up to 70 people. These films are like your personal tour guide, whisking you away to remote villages and age-old ceremonies. Not much of a visual learner? The museum’s got you covered with a lot of cultural literature. From colorful picture books to published studies, there is something for everyone.
Now, here is where things get really interactive. Should you ever want to try your hands at Vietnamese folk music and traditional musical instruments, Vietnam Museum of Ethnology provides. Moreover, you can end a fun-filled, educational day by catching one of the live music performances and handicraft demonstrations. These events can happen on a weekly basis or during important holidays like the Lunar New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival.
Take part in occasional events
Throughout the year, Vietnam Museum of Ethnology hosts a variety of vibrant celebrations during the Lunar New Year, Mid-Autumn Festival, and other important occasions. You might find yourself learning the art of making traditional handicrafts, participating in folk games, and admiring performances. These events provide many valuable opportunities to immerse yourself in the culture of the less celebrated ethnic groups in the country.
Dine at Truc Lam Restaurant and Cafe
After a day of cultural exploration, why not treat yourself to a cup of coffee or a hearty meal at Truc Lam Restaurant and Cafe? This charming spot offers a mouth-watering party of traditional Vietnamese flavors in every dish. Not only that, the restaurant and cafe is also eye candy with traditional ethnic elements incorporated into the interior design. In fact, this spot also serves as an open exhibition zone, showcasing ceramic products, precious gems, and minerals. Aside from that, the open space filled with luscious greenery is perfect for families to rest during their visit.
Buy souvenirs at Truc Lam Handmade
Finally, it would be nice to commemorate your trip with an adorable souvenir at Truc Lam Handmade. These items range from brocade products to wooden puppets and postcards made from paper. You can easily find the souvenir shop on either side of the entrance to the Museum of Ethnology Vietnam.
Vietnam Museum of Ethnology Map
How to get to the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology?
You could take the public bus number 14 for about 1 hour from Dinh Tien Hoang Street (Northern bank of Hoan Kiem Lake) to get to Hoang Quoc Viet Street then walk 1 mile to the museum. Taxi will take about 30 minutes and cost you about 8$ each way.
The most comfortable way to get to the museum is by private car/ van. Experienced local drivers know the alternative roads and time to reach there better as traffic in Cau Giay district is always busy. At the museum, you can use the services of a French/English onsite tour guide at 100,000VND. Using a camera inside the museum: 50,000VND/camera.
Besides, a private tour with an experienced guide & private vehicle is highly recommended. You can book a private tour from Vietnam Shore Excursions. Professional and knowledgeable tour guides will share profoundly many interesting stories about this place and Hanoi, as well as the local life of local people during the tour. Here are some Hanoi Tours which customers can find out and book for you and your group.
Important notes while visiting Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
Last but not least, there are quite a few things to note when visiting Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, especially regarding their regulations:
- Put your personal belongings at designated places and carry valuable items on you at all times.
- Do not smoke.
- Do not carry weapons, combustibles, toxic materials, and other dangerous objects.
- Do not litter.
- Do not bring food and drinks into the museum.
- Do not make loud noises.
- Do not touch or sit on the exhibits.
- Do not organize activities in the museum without permission.
- Do not use flash while taking pictures.
- Do not bring animals into the museum.
- Do not defile the botany in the garden.
As visitors leave Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, they will come away with a highly educational experience. The museum transcends a simple series of exhibitions, instead focusing on giving its visitors a journey through all aspects of Vietnamese culture. If you are a history buff or just eager to learn more about Vietnam, the museum is an unmissable attraction in Hanoi.
