Name: Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
Tel: +84 4 38360350
Add: Arts & Culture » Museums
Description: A large and modern museum detailing the more than fifty different ethnic groups of modern Vietnam.
Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is both a research centre and a public museum exhibiting the ethnic groups of Vietnam. The mission of the Museum is scientific research, collection, documentation, conservation, exhibition and preserving the cultural and historic patrimony of the nation’s different ethnic groups. The museum also serves to guide research, conservation, and technology that are specific to the work of an ethnographic museum.
In its planning for the future, the Museum intends to present the cultures and civilisations of other countries of South-East Asia as well as in the region
Review:
”Don’t miss this museum while you are in Hanoi! It’s well worth the trek away from town, thankfully made easier by the number 14 bus, which runs from the top of Hoan Kiem Lake. Get off at the first stop on Hoang Quoc Viet and its around a 5 minute walk from there.
It’s a toss up between here and the Army Museum for the Best Museum in Hanoi. Both are an overload of interesting information and exhibitions. I pick here.
It would be wise to dedicate a whole day to this museum, or at least a full afternoon, with a break at the onsite ‘Baguette and Chocolate’ cafe for brain-recharging.
It’s also possible to catch a free Water Puppet show behind the main building amongst the reconstructed houses. I stumbled across it by accident, as it isnt well advertised, but useful to know if your time is tight in Hanoi.
The information in the museum, on the 54 tribes that make up the ethnography of Vietnam, is well-presented and very very interesting. Not only is it a great prelude to those travelling on to SaPa or Mai Chau, but it is also giving a taste of tribal culture in Vietnam, to those who perhaps havent got time to see the real thing.
The reconstructed tribal dwellings outside really bring the information to life, and are a big plus point, especially for families. There’s also a temporary exhibition space inside, which is great to know, so I dont get bored with repeat visits!
I’m always pleased to see the museum popular with Vietnamse visitors, who seem as interested to learn about their heritage and culture as we are.
And why wouldnt they. When its as well-presented and fascinating as at this museum. Top Marks!”
”Ethnology museums across this wider region can be dire places – full of propaganda and poor research. This museum serves as an example for its east Asian cousins on how to properly present and explain a country’s ethnic mosaic without being condescending towards minorities.
This is a great place to spend a morning learning about the suprisingly large variety of languages and cultures inside Vietnam. I found the artefacts to be interesting and the explanations scholarly without being too dry.
The highlight is definitely wandering around the grounds poking through the different cultures’ traditional houses.”
”I’ve been to quite a few of the museums around town with my charges over the years, and out of all of them, I would have to say this is by far my favourite. It is nice to see some bigger stretches of grass, especially since you’re allowed to walk on them.
At certain times (I can’t remember if it’s the first or last week of the month) they also put on a water puppet show, which is included in the price of the ticket. To me, this is a much better option than going to the theatre to see it, as it is outside in a nice garden setting. Plus, if you get bored of it, you can wander off and go look at the rest of the exhibits. By memory the show is normally around lunch time, and we normally laze around in the sun sitting on the grass to eat. You can bring something with you, or buy from the cafe on grounds, Baguette & Chocolat which is run to support disadvantaged kids. But since I’ve normally had my screaming horde in tow, we’ve brought our own stuff, so I can’t really comment on their food.
The museum also occasionally has special events running, so if your visit coincides with one of these, its an even better visit. That’s not to downplay the permanent displays, as they are clearly labelled and set our well. There’s space for large tour groups to navigate easily, and there are a range of different sections – the traditional houses outside have always been the most popular with my kids.
Definitely a five star destination for adults and kids alike.”
Review: Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
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