Vietnam National History Museum: Hanoi Travel Information

Vietnam National Museum of History in Hanoi (Vietnamese: Bảo Tàng Lịch Sử Quốc Gia Hà Nội) is a sanctuary of of significant historical and cultural artifacts of Vietnam that every visitor should experience. Come and listen to the story of Vietnam's thousands-years-history in a nostalgic Indochinese setting. There is no better place than the Vietnam National Museum of History in Hanoi to discover Vietnam's cultural quintessence and longstanding history. The old building with ancient Indochinese architecture and valuable historical artifacts is a must-visit for a complete Travel to Hanoi.

• Location: No. 1 Trang Tien street & No. 216 Tran Quang Khai street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, Vietnam
• Opening Days: Daily except the first Monday of every month (anouncement on special days)
  • Morning: 8:00 – 12:00
  • Afternoon: 13:30 to 17:00
• Entrance Fee:
  • Adults Price: VND 40,0000/ person /ticket
  • Students (college and university): VND 20,000/ person
  • Students (primary to high school): VND 10,0000/ person
  • Free for children under six and disabled people
• Ticket prices when taking photos:
  • Pictures: 15,000 VND / camera / ticket
  • Filming: 30,000 VND / camera / ticket

1. Where is Vietnam National Museum of History Hanoi Located?

Vietnam National Museum of History has two locations in Hanoi at No. 1 Trang Tien street and No. 216 Tran Quang Khai street of Hanoi French Quarter, both situated near Hoan Kiem lake and Hanoi Old Quarter. Thanks to its central location, the Vietnam National Museum of History is easily accessible via different means of transport and convenient routes.

2. Information of Vietnam National Museum of History in Hanoi:

The predecessor of the building was the Louis Finot Museum. This is a project in the activities of the Institute of the École Française d'Extrême-Orient - a French research center for Orientalism in Indochina, established in 1900 in Saigon, until 1902, it was moved to Hanoi. The building was built by the French from 1926 - 1932, named after the first director, Louis Finot (1864 - 1935).

Vietnam History Museum in Hanoi was established on September 3, 1958 on the basis of inheriting Louis Finot Museum. This is a unique architectural work, typical of the Indochinese architectural style in Hanoi. It contains two separate exhibition spaces: one on Tran Quang Khai and one on Trang Tien street. Built in 1917 and 1926, respectively, these are two of the oldest architectures in Hanoi and the oldest museum of Hanoi. 

Currently, the Vietnam National Museum of History is storing a heritage of over 20,000 documents and artifacts representing the entire historical flow of Vietnam, from the primary times to now. In particular, the museum has many national treasures, rare and precious antiquities compared to other similarly-themed museums in Hanoi. That number explains why the National Museum of Vietnamese History is considered the best museum in Hanoi.

3. What to Do and Things to See in Vietnam Museum of History Hanoi?

3.1. Enjoy architectural beauty of Construction:

Architectural beauty is one of the main reasons why the Vietnam National Museum of History in Hanoi is always on top of the places to visit in Hanoi. The spacious space and magnificent Indochinese architecture style are the most impressive highlights of this place.

A massive building with yellow paint, distinctive green windows, and red roofs, ancient yet brilliant, has made the museum stand out in the heart of the colorful Hanoi capital. After many years of establishment and development, the museum retains the typical old architecture of hundred-year-old works. 

Besides its impressive outside appearance, the interior space of the national museum of Vietnamese history Hanoi is also unique. The main lobby has a prominent octagonal shape. Passing the hall is the main exhibition space, which has an elongated rectangle shape. All the rooms are interconnected, which is a clever structure. Overall, this architecture is both typical and familiar but also very unique. You won't find another museum like this in Hanoi.

3.2. The displays about history of Vietnam:

Vietnam National Museum of History in Hanoi has two separate exhibition areas: No 1 Trang Tien street for Vietnam from prehistory to the end of the Nguyen Dynasty (1802 - 1945) and 216 Tran Quang Khai street for Vietnam from the mid-19th century to the present.

• Vietnam from prehistory to the end of the Nguyen Dynasty (1945) – No 1 Trang Tien

This place displays a long history, from the appearance of humans in Vietnam to the initial building of the nation to the long struggle for independence and the gradual building up of a massive cultural heritage through feudal dynasties.

In addition, the museum also displays the complete collection of Oc Eo – Phu Nam cultural relics, Champa sculptures, and the creations of Indochina Fine Arts students during the French colonial period. Moreover, the impressive outdoor display area makes the museum even more attractive. You can learn more about Champa culture through a collection of civilized artifacts and sculptures. And you can also find large inscriptions, statues, and worship towers…in Ly and Nguyen dynasties.

• Vietnam from the mid-19th century to the present – No 216 Tran Quang Khai

You will have access to a struggling yet heroic history of Vietnam from 1858 when the French started invading Vietnam, until the US intervened and ended the Vietnam war in 1975. This permanent exhibition will show the life of fighting, working, building facilities in war times, and preparing for the country’s development after the war. 

You can also find more than 100 original artifacts, which were gifts to President Ho Chi Minh and the Vietnamese Communist Party from many local and global citizens. In addition, the front and back yard area of the National Museum of History display several large-sized objects with typical historical values. The most prominent is the car given to the Communist Party of Vietnam by the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in 1954.

4. How to Get to Vietnam National History Museum in Hanoi?

Vietnam History Museum opens from 8:00 – 12:00; 13:30 – 17:00 with a ticket price of VND 40,000 (US$ 1) and a bonus of VND 15,000 (US$ 0.75) if you want to use camera inside the museum. The museum is quite easy to find as it is located right on the back of Hanoi Opera House, at 216 Trần Quang Khải Street, Tràng Tiền, Hoàn Kiếm Distrct, Hanoi.

If you take a bus, you can refer to bus numbers 02, 34, 44, 49, and 51 or electric bus E07 and get off at the Hanoi Opera House. If you drive or ride a môtrrcycle, you can take the route from Le Thai To - Hang Trong - Hang Khay - Trang Tien and park your vehicle at the entrance.

Additionally, visitors can also opt for a Hanoi City Tour Hop On – Hop Off Bus to fully immerse in the authentic Hanoi experience, but don't forget to get off at the Hanoi Opera House, then you can easily walk to the museum.

Adventure Journey

See Also:

• List of Best Things to Do & Top Places to See in Hanoi Vietnam

• Best Local Food That Should Not Be Missed in Ha Noi Vietnam