Vietnam has a rich and colorful history. From the terrifying years of the Vietnam War to the reunification of the country during the seventies, there’s quite a lot to learn about Vietnam’s past. If you are visiting the country soon and you want to learn more about its history, take time to explore some of Vietnam’s best museums. Here are the top 7 museums in Vietnam that are worth visiting.

Before You Go

Getting visa on arrival Vietnam at Da Nang Int’l airport in Da Nang city

So you’re thinking of visiting Vietnam soon, but have you ever thought about your visa? It’s unfortunate to know that there are so many visitors that get turned away at the airport in Vietnam simply because they don’t have the right visa. To avoid this, you better apply for your visa ahead of your trip at eVisa-Vietnam.com. The process is so easy. You just have to fill out the form with your details, make a payment, and submit. Wait for the pre-approval letter to be sent to your email and carry this with you to present to the immigration upon arrival in Vietnam.

Once you have your visa sorted, you can now start planning for your trip. Here are the museums that you should include in your Vietnam itinerary.

1. War Remnants Museum

A view of the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam

If you want to learn more about the Vietnam War, then this would be the best museum to visit. Located in the city of Ho Chi Minh, the museum features a vast collection of things retrieved during the Vietnam War. But this museum is not for the fainthearted. If you intend to visit, prepare yourself for the gruesome images of American soldiers holding decapitated heads and other heart-wrenching exhibitions.

2. Cu Chi War History Museum and Tunnels

Cu Chi tunnels – famous place in Vietnam war – people dug underground for living

This museum is also in Ho Chi Minh famous for the Chu Chi tunnel, a small tunnel that serves as the hiding place of the Viet Cong soldiers during the Vietnam War. Just like the War Remnants Museum, this museum also features photographs and memoirs of the Vietnam War, but this museum puts more emphasis on the Chu Chi tunnel. Aside from getting into the tunnel hole, visitors to the museum can also get their hands on the shooting range nearby.

3. Vietnamese Women’s Museum

A view of the Vietnamese Women’s Museum

Located in the capital city of Hanoi, the Vietnamese Women’s Museum showcases more than a thousand pieces of art contributed by women for the Vietnamese culture. Most of the items that are exhibited in the museum have something to do with the Vietnam War since the Vietnamese women are known to provide primary aide for the injured during the war. These things are usually showcased in the form of costumes, posters, and more.

4. Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts

A view of Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts

If you have a passion for arts, the best museum to visit in Vietnam is the Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts. This museum consists of two buildings and has more than 20,000 art pieces covering items from the prehistoric era up to the modern times. Unfortunately, because of the limited space, only 3,000 of these art pieces are being showcased. The museum is housed on the same building where the former French Ministry of Information was located, just across the Temple of Literature, a popular attraction in Hanoi.

5. Hoa Lo Museum

The Maison Centrale Hoa Lo Prison was nicknamed the Hilton Hanoi during the Vietnam War by the American soldiers

This is another popular museum that’s located in Hanoi and where the US prisoners of war were once kept. Dubbed as the “Hanoi Hilton”, some of its most popular inmates include General Charles G. Boyd, General John L. Borling, and US Republican John Mc Cain. Although the prison was demolished in the 1990s, the site houses a museum now, which replicated the horrors that have occurred during the Vietnam War. Just like the War Remnants Museum, this museum showcases some heart-wrenching mementos, which may not be for the faint of heart.

6. Coi Nguon Museum

Coi Nguon Museum in Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam

This museum is located in Phu Quoc, a beautiful island known for its beautiful white sand beaches and resorts. The name translates to “The Roots Museum” because it showcases the roots and history of the island. It contains a fascinating collection of artifacts and other things that tell the colorful history of the seaside town. Among these are sands collected from the various beaches in the island, as well as a boat that’s full of preserved trading jars.

7. Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

A view of Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

If you want to learn about the various cultures in Vietnam, then this is the best museum to visit. Located in Hanoi, the Museum of Ethnology offers an in-depth look at the 56 ethnicities of the country and the various displays have descriptions in both French and English. Some of the displays include household materials, ancient tools for survival, and other ethnic objects used in religion and worship. Aside from the vast collection of interesting exhibits, the museum also hosts several cultural activities by the different ethnic groups in the country.