Vietnam Museum of Ethnology - A Traveler’s Guide

The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is also a place where you can admire documents and artifacts related to the culture and history of the 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam. In addition to being a place for displaying artifacts, it is also a center for ethnographic research.

1. Where is the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology?

The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is located on an area of over 4 hectares on Nguyen Van Huyen Street, Cau Giay District (about 8 km from the city center). The museum's construction began in late 1987 and was inaugurated in 1997. The museum was designed by architect Ha Duc Linh, a Tay ethnic, in the shape of a Dong Son bronze drum, with the interior architecture designed by French architect Véronique Dollfus. The museum has three main exhibition areas: the Bronze Drum Building, the Outdoor Area, and the Southeast Asia Area.

The Bronze Drum Building covers an area of 2,500m² over two floors, divided into nine themes: Overview; Viet - Muong Language Group; Thai - Kadai Group; Hmong - Dao Group; Han - Tibetan Group; Mon - Khmer Group; Austronesian Group; Cham, Hoa, Khmer Groups; and the Integration and Exchange among Ethnic Groups.

In the outdoor exhibition area, you will be introduced to the distinctive housing architecture of Vietnam’s ethnic groups, such as the Ede longhouse, Tay stilt house, Hmong Hinokin wooden roof house, Kinh tile-roofed house, Gia-Rai tomb house, Ba-Na communal house, and the earthen house of the Ha Nhi people.

The Southeast Asia area aims to provide an overview of the cultural diversity of Southeast Asian ethnic groups through five themes: clothing, daily life, social life, performing arts, and religion.

2. History of the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences. It is part of the Vietnam National Museum system. When reading the introduction to the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, you will learn about the history and development of the museum:

The proposal for the museum's construction was officially approved on December 14, 1987. Construction lasted from 1987 to 1995, and the museum opened to the public on November 12, 1997. The museum's construction budget was 1.9 million USD, with an additional 285,000 USD allocated for the acquisition of artifacts.

The exhibition building was designed by architect Ha Duc Linh, a Tay ethnic, in the shape of a Dong Son drum, and the interior design was by French architect Véronique Dollfus. The second exhibition building, focusing on Southeast Asian ethnology, was designed in the shape of a kite and opened in 2013.

3. What does the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi offer insight into?

Vietnam is a multi-ethnic country with 54 ethnic groups. Recognizing the importance of having an ethnology museum to preserve and introduce the cultural heritage of these groups, the government decided to establish the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi. The proposal to establish the museum was officially approved on December 14, 1987.

With numerous artifacts on display: 42,000 color films and photos, 2,190 positive images, 273 audio recordings and music tapes, 373 video tapes, and 25 CD-ROMs, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is the newest but perhaps the largest and certainly the most interesting museum in Hanoi and Vietnam. The museum was created with the understanding that Vietnam is a multi-ethnic country, and more attention needed to be paid to promoting cultural and social diversity. 

Although it is located far from other museums in Hanoi, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is worth a visit for anyone interested in learning about Vietnam’s diverse culture, especially for those who do not have time to visit all the remote regions where most of Vietnam’s ethnic minorities live. In 2014, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology was honored by the prestigious travel website TripAdvisor, ranking it 4th among the 25 most fascinating museums in Asia.

4. What to see and do at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology?

The museum is divided into two main areas: the indoor exhibition and the outdoor display of traditional houses from different ethnic groups.

4.1. Southeast Asia Exhibition Area

The Southeast Asia Exhibition Area is designed in the shape of a kite, symbolizing dreams, freedom, and aspirations. More importantly, you will have the opportunity to learn about Southeast Asian and Asian traditions through glass paintings and other artifacts.

Here, you can also experience various educational activities, a film screening room, and a hall to gain comprehensive information about the cultural materials of Vietnam and the ASEAN community.

Throughout the indoor exhibition, there are interactive displays and information boards with descriptions in both Vietnamese and English, creating an educational experience for both locals and international visitors.

4.2. Dong Son Drum Building

The Bronze Drum Building—a two-story building—is one of the two exhibition halls in the museum. Designed by architect Ha Duc Linh (Tay ethnic), the building is modeled after the bronze drum of the Dong Son civilization.

The Bronze Drum Building has a total exhibition area of up to 2,000m², opened in November 1997. With over 15,000 artifacts and more than 42,000 films and recordings, the Bronze Drum exhibition area is considered an important part of the museum. It holds the unique culture of Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups.

The visit to the Bronze Drum Building follows nine main sections, systematically organized in a very engaging way. There is also space for temporary exhibitions.

4.3. Outdoor Exhibition

There are over 10 traditional houses on display, each reflecting the unique architecture, interior design, and lifestyle of a different ethnic group. You can enter the houses, explore the interiors, and learn about the cultural activities, beliefs, and customs of each group. Additionally, there are other exhibits such as water puppet theaters, communal houses, village gates, and stone paths, offering insights into the daily life and social organization of the people.

The outdoor exhibition also includes workshops and activities where you can learn to make traditional crafts, musical instruments, and farming tools. There are also traditional music and dance performances for you to enjoy.

5. Vietnam Museum of Ethnology opening hours and entrance fee

You can visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi from Tuesday to Sunday. However, to avoid crowds, it is advisable not to visit on weekends. The best months for your trip to Hanoi are usually from February to April, when the weather is cool and there's less rain.

• Opening hours: from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, from Tuesday to Sunday.

• Closed: on Mondays and during the Lunar New Year holiday.

• Entrance fee: about 1.62 USD per person.

Source: Wikipedia