Ho Chi Minh City, located in the southern part of Vietnam, is the largest and most developed city in the region. With numerous exciting attractions, it's not difficult to find suitable entertainment activities for your trip. The city is also home to several notable museums, ranging from historical museums to modern art galleries. In this article, we will explore the most famous museums in Ho Chi Minh City.

Ho Chi Minh City Museum

The Ho Chi Minh City Museum is one of the most beloved tourist destinations in the city. It introduces visitors to the history, culture, and society of both the city and Vietnam through artifacts, antiques, images, and historical evidence.

Situated on a spacious 1,700 square meter property, the Ho Chi Minh City Museum boasts classical French architecture. The museum is divided into various rooms, each dedicated to a specific theme, such as Natural History and Archaeology, Saigon Culture - Ho Chi Minh City, Geography and Administration of Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City, Resistance Memorabilia, and Pre-Vietnam artifacts.

Resistance memorabilia room

Aside from exploring Vietnam's history and culture, visitors can also relax amidst the lush greenery of the museum's grounds, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere and fresh air while observing the bustling streets of Saigon.

Details:

• Address: 65 Ly Tu Trong Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
• Opening Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
• Ticket Price: 30,000 VND per person per entry

Ho Chi Minh City History Museum

The Ho Chi Minh City History Museum is one of the largest and oldest museums in southern Vietnam. It was established in 1929 as the "Blanchard de la Brosse Museum" (named after the Governor of Cochinchina). In 1956, it was renamed the "Vietnam National Museum," focusing on Asian art. Finally, in 1979, it officially became the "Ho Chi Minh City History Museum."

Located on a spacious 6,057 square meter property, the museum features a unique architectural blend of Eastern and Western influences. Today, the museum houses over 40,000 valuable artifacts from various countries and ethnic groups. The collections cover the history and culture of Vietnam from ancient times to 1945, unique cultural aspects of southern provinces, and some Asian countries. Additionally, the museum preserves 12 national treasures, rare publications, and antiques waiting to be discovered.

Details:

• Address: 2 Nguyen Binh Khiem Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
• Opening Hours: 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Tuesday to Sunday)
• Ticket Price: 30,000 VND per person per entry

War Remnants Museum

One of the must-visit museums in Ho Chi Minh City is the War Remnants Museum. This museum researches, collects, preserves, and exhibits documents, images, and artifacts related to the two resistance wars against the French and the Americans, shedding light on the brutality of war, the atrocities committed by invading forces, and the consequences for Vietnamese soldiers and civilians.

The museum currently holds over 20,000 documents, artifacts, and films, presented in eight exhibition areas that vividly depict Vietnam's society during its darkest times. It recreates the horrendous acts of the invading forces, such as the Con Dao Tiger Cages, execution tools, and the suffering caused by Agent Orange, leaving a profound impact on visitors.

Details:

• Address: 28 Vo Van Tan Street, Vo Thi Sau Ward, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
• Opening Hours: 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
• Ticket Price: 40,000 VND per person per entry

Independence Palace

Independence Palace is one of the most remarkable architectural landmarks in Ho Chi Minh City. It was once the residence and workplace of the President of the Republic of Vietnam and was constructed from 1962 to 1966 according to the design by architect Ngo Viet Thu. On April 30, 1975, the liberation tanks crashed through its gates, marking the end of 30 years of struggle and the reunification of the country.

Covering an area of 120,000 square meters, Independence Palace is a unique architectural masterpiece that attracts numerous domestic and international tourists. It served as the meeting and reception place for leaders at all levels.

Details:

• Address: 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
• Opening Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
• Ticket Price: Adults 40,000 VND, Students 20,000 VND, Children 10,000 VND (Prices may vary for exhibition room visits)

Ho Chi Minh Campaign Museum

The Ho Chi Minh Campaign Museum is a military history museum that was established in 1987. It preserves significant documents and artifacts related to the Ho Chi Minh Campaign.

The museum is divided into two display areas:

• Outdoor Area: Displays aircraft, anti-aircraft guns used in the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, and various military vehicles.

• Indoor Area: Exhibits artifacts, photographic materials, scientific documents, and murals. The highlight is the interactive electronic map in the middle of the exhibition room, providing a comprehensive overview of the entire campaign.

Each displayed item holds historical value and is related to the general offensive and uprising of 1975.

Details:

• Address: 2 Le Duan Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
• Opening Hours: 7:30 AM - 11:00 AM, 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM (Monday to Friday)
• Ticket: Free

Southern Women's Museum

The Southern Women's Museum is a unique institution in the city, established in 1985 to preserve and educate about the patriotism and noble traditions of Southern women for future generations.

Covering an area of 5,410.5 square meters, the museum houses over 44,000 artifacts and scientific documents, with half focusing on revolutionary war-related items and the other half on cultural artifacts. In addition to collecting documents and artifacts related to Southern women's roles during the resistance, the museum also emphasizes the contributions of Southern Women in preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of the nation.

Women's costumes of ethnic groups in the South

The Southern Women's Museum is the first museum in the city to incorporate 3D/360-degree virtual reality technology, offering a vivid and authentic way to recount historical stories and lessons.

Details:

• Address: 200 - 202 Vo Thi Sau Street, Vo Thi Sau Ward, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
• Opening Hours: 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
• Ticket: Free

Ton Duc Thang Museum

Established in 1988 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Chairman Tôn Đức Thắng (August 20, 1888 - August 20, 1988), the Tôn Đức Thắng Museum is the only place in the country that preserves a complete collection of artifacts, images, and documents related to the life and career of Chairman Tôn Đức Thắng.

The museum currently holds more than 16,000 artifacts and documents related to the great contributions of Chairman Tôn Đức Thắng in the nation's construction and defense efforts.

Details:

• Address: 5 Tôn Đức Thắng Street, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
• Opening Hours: 7:30 AM - 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM, from Tuesday to Sunday
• Admission: Free

Southeastern Armed Forces Museum

The Military Region 7 Armed Forces Museum, also known as the Military Region 7 Museum, was built in 1988 and officially opened its doors to visitors in 1990.

The museum covers a total display area of over 17,500 square meters, with both indoor and outdoor sections, housing more than 20,000 diverse and rich artifacts that vividly reflect the history, formation, and development of the Military Region 7 Armed Forces in the national liberation, construction, and defense efforts.

Details:

• Address: 247 Hoàng Văn Thụ Street, Ward 1, Tân Bình District, Ho Chi Minh City
• Opening Hours: 7:00 AM - 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM, from Monday to Friday
• Admission: Free for Vietnamese visitors, 40,000 VND per person for foreigners (entrance fee) and 10,000 VND for photography.

Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts

The Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts is one of the largest art museums in the country and attracts a large number of visitors. Established in 1987, the museum officially opened its doors to the public in 1989.

The museum currently houses and preserves over 22,000 artifacts, divided into two main categories: ancient and modern art. It showcases numerous artistic works by East Indochinese school painters, Gia Định artists, as well as renowned authors like Diệp Minh Châu, Nguyễn Sáng, Nguyễn Gia Trí, Quách Phong, etc. The ancient and classical artifacts are made from various materials such as ceramics, bronze, wood, and stone.

Details:

• Address: 97A Đức Chính Street, Nguyễn Thái Bình Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
• Opening Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
• Admission: Adults - 30,000 VND per person, students - 15,000 VND per person

Ao Dai Museum

One of the iconic symbols of Vietnamese culture, the áo dài is the traditional attire of Vietnamese women. The Áo Dài Museum was established in 2014 based on the idea of artist and designer Sĩ Hoàng, with the aim of preserving and promoting this cultural heritage.

Located in a spacious area of nearly 20,000 square meters, the Áo Dài Museum not only preserves and displays valuable artifacts related to áo dài but also incorporates the core values of this national costume into daily life, bringing áo dài closer to the public.

Details:

• Address: 206/19/30 Long Thuận Street, Long Phước Ward, District 9, Ho Chi Minh City
• Opening Hours: 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
• Admission: Adults - 100,000 VND per person, students - 50,000 VND per person

Traditional Vietnamese Medicine Museum

The Traditional Vietnamese Medicine Museum is the first private museum of its kind in Vietnam. It houses nearly 3,000 artifacts related to traditional Vietnamese medicine from the Stone Age to the present day. With a total area of nearly 600 square meters, the museum consists of one ground floor and six upper floors, each showcasing different aspects of traditional medicine. Room 2 is dedicated to the altars of two remarkable Vietnamese medical practitioners: Thiền sư Tuệ Tĩnh (14th century) and Hải Thượng Lãn Ông – Lê Hữu Trác (18th century).

Details

• Address: 41 Hoàng Dư Khương Street, Ward 12, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City
• Opening Hours: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
• Admission: Adults - 180,000 VND per person, students, seniors - 90,000 VND per person

Vietnam Geological Museum

The Vietnam Geological Museum is a place where a variety of precious gems, minerals, and fossils from around the world are displayed. It is one of the unique museums in Vietnam that appeals to science and geology enthusiasts.

Established in 1970, the museum consists of three floors with a total display area of 30 square meters, and it currently houses and displays around 13,000 specimens. Each floor features different themes, such as geology, valuable minerals, or ancient fossils.

Details:

• Address: 2 Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm Street, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
• Opening Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, from Monday to Friday
• Admission: Free

Artinus 3D Art Museum

Artinus 3D Art Museum is one of the popular entertainment destinations in Ho Chi Minh City. With its vivid 3D paintings, visitors have the opportunity to "live" within the world they are admiring.

Established in 2015, the museum covers an area of over 4,000 square meters. It is divided into nine different zones, each offering a unique and unforgettable experience in the world of 3D art. Each painting in the museum is created in the free-style of various artists, allowing visitors to enjoy the most vivid and unique artworks that are impossible to forget.

Details:

• Address: 2-4 Street No. 9, KDC Him Lam, Tân Hưng Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City

Opening Hours:

• Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
• Saturday, Sunday, and holidays: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
• Admission: Prices range from 150,000 VND to 250,000 VND; admission fees may vary.

These are some of the famous museums in Ho Chi Minh City that Visithcmc introduces to you. Each museum has its unique characteristics, helping visitors gain a deeper understanding of Vietnam's history, art, science, and culture. Take the time to visit these museums and enjoy meaningful experiences.