Hanoi has a variety of museums that provide profound insight into Vietnam’s diverse history, culture, and art. From military history to ethnic diversity, there are plenty of museums in Hanoi to visit for all people.
Ho Chi Minh Museum
- Location: 19 Ngoc Ha Street, Doi Can Ward, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
- Entrance fee: 40.000 VND/pax
The Ho Chi Minh Museum is one of the excellent cultural museums in Hanoi that honors the life, legacy, and revolutionary history of President Ho Chi Minh. The museum’s modernist architectural style, its design is derived from the shape of a lotus flower, which in Vietnamese culture symbolizes purity and respect, is inspiring. The exhibits include a vast array of documents, photos, and artifacts that represent Uncle Ho’s life from childhood until the very end of his life.
Inside the museum, you will navigate through themed rooms that look at important periods in Ho Chi Minh’s life, including early education, overseas experience, and leadership during the independence struggle in Vietnam. The exhibit room that carries the museum is noteworthy for its storytelling and explorative exhibit display; each exhibit tells legends and historical truths with an impactful emotional experience.
Vietnam Museum Of Ethnology
- Location: 1 Nguyen Van Huyen Street, Nghia Do Ward, Cau Giay District, Hanoi
- Entrance fee: 40,000 VND/adult; 20,000 VND/students; 10,000 VND/pupils
The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology allows visitors a peek into the cultural heritage of the 54 ethnic groups of the country. The museum is located in the Cau Giay District, with formal galleries showcasing things like traditional dress, musical instruments, religious items, and handicrafts. The indoor gallery is incredibly well curated, and what an abundance of information, with descriptions in both Vietnamese and English!
When outside, you can explore life-size exhibits of ethnic minority houses with examples of stilt houses, long houses, and communal houses. The open displays showcase the rural life of Vietnam in many parts of the country, and are essential for hands-on learning experiences in a very urban setting. Whether interested in history, architecture, or culture, the museum will provide an enriching experience for everyone traveling to Hanoi.
Vietnam National Museum Of History
- Location: 1 Trang Tien Street, Phan Chu Trinh Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
- Entrance fee: 40,000 VND/adult, 20,000 VND/students, 10,000 VND/pupils, free for children under 6 years old and severely disabled people
The Vietnam National Museum of History is an essential stop for anyone interested in learning about the past of a country. The museum itself is located in a lovely French building near Hoan Kiem Lake and contains thousands of objects dating from prehistoric to modernity. You will see everything from bronze drums, ancient ceramics, imperial artifacts, and material culture from Vietnam’s wars of resistance.
The exhibitions are arranged clearly enough to allow visitors to walk through the historical timeline of the country. It has multiple permanent and rotating exhibitions to inform visitors about Vietnam’s cultural heritage and national identity development. It is an excellent place to visit for people wanting to see how deep and resilient the history of Vietnam is.
Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum
- Location: 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Dien Bien Ward, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
- Entrance fee: 50,000 VND/adult; 30,000 VND/student.
The Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum is a goldmine of the nation’s artistic heritage museums in hanoi. In an attractive French colonial building, the museum has many works of art, from ancient sculptures and folk art to present-day paintings and lacquer works, demonstrating the trajectory of Vietnamese art through the historic periods.
One can see traditional Buddhism-era sculptures, eccentric silk paintings, and other significant works by prominent Vietnamese artists, and the serenity and way the museum is organized help one appreciate in greater depth the cultural dimensions and creative energy of Vietnam.
Vietnam Women’s Museum
- Location: 36 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Hang Bai Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
- Entrance fee: 40,000 VND/adult, 10,000 VND/child or student, 20,000 VND/university student or member of the Vietnam Women’s Union.
The Vietnamese Women’s Museum in Hanoi is a remarkable place that highlights the significance of women throughout Vietnam’s history. It tells the stories of Vietnamese women through their family life, their experiences in war, and their role in today’s society through powerful exhibits and personal artifacts.
There are many exhibits that share the power of the dual roles of motherhood and fashion, as well as the contributions of women to national independence, that create an emotional and educational experience. It is a must-visit site for any traveller who wants to see an important part of Vietnam’s culture from a strong and often under-represented perspective.
Vietnam Military History Museum
- Location: Km 6+500, Thang Long Boulevard, Tay Mo Ward, Nam Tu Liem District, Hanoi
- Entrance fee: 20,000 VND/Vietnamese visitor, 40,000 VND/foreign visitor
The Vietnam Military History Museum is one of the most vital historical attractions in Hanoi and allows visitors to explore the country’s long history of military struggle for independence and resilience. Although the museum was previously placed next to the Hanoi Flag Tower, since 2024, it has been situated on Thang Long Boulevard. Nowadays, it contains a rich collection of weaponry, aircraft, tanks, and photos about various wars.
Visitors may explore both the indoor exhibits and the outdoor exhibits at the museum, which documents Vietnam’s fight for independence from colonial and neo-colonial powers, paying particular attention to the French and American wars. The museum is a fascinating and educational experience as it pertains to understanding Vietnam’s military history, military effort, and national pride.
Hanoi Museum
- Location: Pham Hung Street, Me Tri Ward, Nam Tu Liem District, Hanoi
- Entrance fee: 30,000 VND/pax
The Hanoi Museum is a uniquely inverted pyramid structure and modern design, making it one of the most distinctive museums in the capital. Established in 2010, the museum is devoted to preserving and exhibiting the culture, history, and advancement of Hanoi through thousands of objects.
The inside contains various exhibitions which highlight everything from ancient antiquities, traditional handicrafts, and contemporary exhibits that document the development of urban Hanoi. The large exhibition space and hands-on displays of the museum make it a great destination for anyone wanting to learn about the history of Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam.
B-52 Victory Museum
- Location: 157 Doi Can Street, Doi Can Ward, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
- Entrance fee: Free
The B52 Victory Museum in Hanoi is a strong souvenir of Vietnam’s strength during the Vietnam War. Located in Ba Dinh District, the museum pays tribute to the victory against the B-52 bombing in December 1972. Their outdoor display features the wreckage of a real B-52 bomber that was striking to anyone who could see.
The exhibits inside contain photographs, maps, and military artifacts that document the defense of Hanoi, the strategic planning, and all the events involved with the victory of the capture of the US’s most advanced bomber at the time. If you are someone who enjoys history and wants additional details about Vietnam’s history during wartime and excitement about its people, this is a must-visit destination.
Air Force And Air Defense Museum
- Location: 173C Truong Chinh Street, Khuong Mai Ward, Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi
- Entrance fee: 2,000 VND/children under 6 years old, 5,000 VND/children aged 6 and above, 10,000 VND/adult, 30,000 VND/foreign visitors
The Air Force and Air Defense Museum is a must-see museum in Hanoi for anyone with even a passing interest in aviation or military history in Vietnam. Conveniently located near the Bach Mai Airport, the museum teaches visitors about the history, development, and accomplishments of Vietnam’s air force and air defense forces.
Guests get a glimpse of Vietnam’s military aviation apparatus through a collection of military airplanes, helicopters, and missile systems used in the major battles. The museum’s photos, documents, and personal possessions serve as testimony to the Air Force personnel’s courage and commitment to safeguarding the identity of Vietnam’s skies.
Museum Of Armored Forces
- Location: 108 Hoang Quoc Viet Street, Nghia Tan Ward, Cau Giay District, Hanoi
- Entrance fee: Free
The Museum of Armored Forces in Hanoi offers a rich insight into the history and development of the tank and armored divisions in Vietnam. This museum is located in the Gia Lam district and shows how these armored vehicles were an important element in many of Vietnam’s significant military campaigns.
Visitors will be able to explore a vast outdoor space with tanks, armored vehicles, and pieces of artillery, both inside as well as uniform displays, military maps, and historical photographs. While recognizing the contributions of the armored forces, the museum also offered reconstructive information on the nation’s resilience and military strategies for fighting the population’s enemies.
FAQs About Museums In Hanoi
In order to help you visit museums in Hanoi with some thought, here are some commonly asked questions. Whether you’re a history lover, an art enthusiast, or generally inquisitive, this FAQ should hit on all the key points:
1. What are the best museums in Hanoi?
Some of the popular museums are the Ho Chi Minh Museum, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, and the Vietnam National Museum of History. So, visiting Hanoi’s museums is one of the favorite things to do in Hanoi that every visitor should enjoy at least once.
2. Are museums in Hanoi open every day?
Most museums are open every day except Monday, and opening hours usually run from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
3. What is the ticket price for museums in Hanoi?
Prices are usually between 10,000 to 50,000 VND, depending on the museum type and whether the visitor is an adult, student, or child etc.
4. Can I take photos in the museums?
It depends. Some museums allow images in designated areas, while others may allow no photography or charge you to take pictures.
5. How much time should I spend at each museum in Hanoi?
Most museums can be seen in 1-2 hours; however, larger museums such as the Ethnology Museum or the Fine Arts Museum may take a bit longer.
Final Thoughts
With a diverse blend of war history and ethnic diversity, to fine arts and contributions by women, museums in Hanoi reveal the true essence of Vietnamese culture. Every stop will add another layer to your experience of the capital. Learn about Hanoi’s best museums with Seni World & be inspired while learning about the past throughout the Vietnam trip.
