18 Must-Visit Museums in Hanoi for an Unforgettable Cultural Journey

Ho Chi Minh Museum in Ha noi

• Location: No. 19, Ngoc Ha Street, Ba Dinh District
• Opening Hours: 8 AM – 12 PM | 2 PM – 4:30 PM (Closed Mondays & Fridays)
• Entrance Fee: VND 40,000 (Approx. INR 130)

This iconic museum is a must-see to understand modern Vietnam. The museum building symbolizes a lotus flower, representing President Ho Chi Minh’s simple yet noble life. Explore numerous photographs, documents, and historical relics related to his revolutionary journey. Ho Chi Minh’s philosophy resonates with Indian ideals of independence and social justice. The museum’s architecture is unique as well.

B-52 Victory Museum

• Location: No. 157, Doi Can Street, Ba Dinh District
• Opening Hours: 8 AM – 11 AM | 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM (Closed Mondays & Fridays)
• Entrance Fee: Free

This unique war museum is dedicated solely to the exhibition of B-52 aircraft, commemorating the “Hanoi – Dien Bien Phu in the Air” victory. Discover various weapons, equipment, a shot-down B-52 aircraft, and photos documenting Hanoi’s armed forces during this battle. The war, like India’s own struggles for independence, showcases broader themes of self-determination and resilience.

Vietnam Military History Museum

• Location: No. 28A, Dien Bien Phu Street, Ba Dinh District
• Opening Hours: 8 AM – 11:30 AM | 1 PM – 4:30 PM (Closed Mondays & Fridays)
• Entrance Fee: VND 30,000 (Approx. INR 100)

For visitors interested in Vietnam’s military history, this museum is a highlight. The interior displays 4,000 artifacts depicting the country’s military development from ancient eras to modern times, including key battles. The outdoor exhibition presents 200 artifacts, showcasing weapons used by the Vietnamese military and those captured from the enemy. Don’t miss climbing the Hanoi Flag Tower for panoramic views. The museum will eventually be moving its location to the Tay Mo district.

Hoa Lo Prison Museum

• Location: 01 Hoa Lo Street, Hoan Kiem District
• Opening Hours: 8 AM – 5 PM (Daily)
• Entrance Fee: VND 50,000 (Approx. INR 165)

The infamous “Hanoi Hilton”, this former prison tells a grim but important story of Vietnamese resilience. See relics like the French guillotine, iron shackles, and torture tools, but also learn about the bravery of revolutionaries. While potentially sensitive, Hoa Lo provides a crucial perspective on the Vietnamese fight for independence and national identity. Many visitors dress up and pose for instagram photos.

Vietnam National Museum of History

• Location: No. 1, Trang Tien Street & No. 216, Tran Quang Khai Street, Hoan Kiem District (Two Buildings)
• Opening Hours: 8 AM – 12 PM | 1:30 PM – 5 PM (Closed Mondays)
• Entrance Fee: VND 40,000 (Approx. INR 130)

The Vietnam National Museum of History is an essential stop for anyone interested in exploring a top museums in Ha Noi. This museum provides an extensive collection of artifacts spanning from prehistoric times to the modern era. Its well-curated exhibits present a chronological narrative of Vietnam’s cultural evolution, resilience, and journey to independence.

This museum stands out with its impressive French architecture and extensive collection of artifacts. Established by merging the Vietnam Museum of History and the Vietnam Museum of Revolution, it preserves approximately 200,000 artifacts, including ancient ceramics, bronze items, stone sculptures, and items related to the Vietnamese revolution. The Dong Son drum, discovered in Thanh Hoa Province is a well-known national symbol.

Museum of Armored Forces

• Location: No. 108, Hoang Quoc Viet Street, Cau Giay District
• Opening Hours: 8 AM – 11 AM | 2 PM – 4 PM (closed on Friday)

The museum is a military museums where valuable artifacts are exhibited. You will gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by Vietnamese people. The museum also serves as a gathering place for veterans.

Air Force and Air Defence Museum in Hanoi Vietnam

• Location: No. 173C, Truong Chinh Street, Thanh Xuan District
• Opening Hours: 8 AM – 11 AM | 1 PM – 4 PM (closed on Friday)

Here, you will find many photos and documents for understanding the development of Vietnamese Air Force. The museum also introduces the international cooperation in space flight in 1980, where Vietnamese pilot Pham Tuan became the first Vietnamese in space.

Hanoi Police Museum

• Location: No. 1, Tran Binh Trong Street, Hoan Kiem District
• Opening Hours: 8 AM – 4:30 PM (closed on Monday and Sunday)

You can explore various modern firearms, equipment, and memorabilia of soldiers. Many valuable photos and documents are on display, including propaganda materials from the Viet Minh Honorary Unit, relics such as anti-tank guns, and touching stories of exemplary police officers.

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

• Location: Nguyen Van Huyen Street, Cau Giay District
• Opening Hours: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM (Closed Mondays)
• Entrance Fee: VND 40,000 (Approx. INR 130)

A must-visit to explore the cultural diversity of ethnic groups in Vietnam! The museum building exhibits hundreds of thousands of artifacts and showcases the cultural traits of the 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam. As India also has a very ethnically diverse background, this might particularly appeal to Indian tourists.

The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology offers an immersive exploration into the cultural diversity of Vietnam. Distinguished among cultural museums in Ha Noi, this institution showcases the rich traditions, customs, and lifestyles of the country’s various ethnic groups.

Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum

• Location: No. 66, Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Ba Dinh District
• Opening Hours: 8:30 AM – 5 PM (Daily)
• Entrance Fee: VND 40,000 (Approx. INR 130)

For art aficionados, the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum is a treasure trove of creative expression. Displaying a range of artworks from ancient ceramics to contemporary masterpieces, this museum stands as a testament to the vibrant artistic legacy of Vietnam—a must-visit for any museum in Ha Noi.

This museum preserves and promotes the cultural and artistic heritage of Vietnam, featuring paintings and sculptures from prehistoric to contemporary art. The museum also hosts art exhibitions and culinary workshops. You can relax at the coffee shop that is inside.

Vietnamese Women’s Museum

• Location: No. 36, Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Hoan Kiem District
• Opening Hours: 8 AM – 5 PM (Daily)
• Entrance Fee: VND 40,000 (Approx. INR 130)

Enhance your understanding of the history and heritage of Vietnamese women at this museum. Showcasing over 40,000 artifacts through its exhibitions, the museum covers three main themes: Women in Family; Women in History; and Women’s Costumes. As the country progresses, the museum also organizes themed exhibitions, to raise awareness of gender equality issues.

Museum of Literature Hanoi

• Location: Alley 275, Au Co Street, Tay Ho District
• Opening Hours: 8:30 AM – 12 PM | 1:30 PM – 5 PM

Visitors can find many valuable materials and stories related to famous writers such as Nguyen Du, Nguyen Trai, Nam Cao, Xuan Dieu, To Huu, etc. Here, you will explore the outdoor exhibition which features ceramic sculptures and statues of literary figures, recreating the folk literature of Vietnam.

Bat Trang Pottery Museum

• Location: Hamlet 5, Bat Trang Pottery Village, Gia Lam District
• Opening Hours: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM (Weekdays), 8:30 AM – 6 PM (Weekends)
• Entrance Fee: Varies depending on activity (approx. INR 50-200 for pottery classes)

The museum has six floors, offering various experiences for visitors. You will be able to experience pottery craftsmanship.

Hanoi Museum

• Location: Pham Hung Street, Nam Tu Liem District
• Opening Hours: 8 AM – 11:30 AM | 1:30 PM – 5 PM (closed on Monday)

Some valuable collections include bronze drums, ceramics, war relics, and national treasures. The museum also features specialized exhibition areas and outdoor exhibition areas, helping visitors better understand the history of Hanoi.

Geological Museum of Vietnam

• Location: No. 6, Pham Ngu Lao Street, Hoan Kiem District
• Opening Hours: 8 AM – 5 PM (closed on Saturday and Sunday)

The Geological Museum of Vietnam is where the largest collection of geological specimens in Vietnam is preserved, dinosaur bone unearthed in Laos in 1935, aragonite crystal, and fossils from the Jurassic Period.

Vietnam National Museum of Nature

• Location: No. 18, Hoang Quoc Viet Street, Cau Giay District
• Opening Hours: 8:30 AM – 11 AM | 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM (closed from Monday to Wednesday)

With over 1,400 unique specimens, recreates the evolution of life over 3.6 billion years, visitors can admire the diverse world of life, with fossils from four geological periods.