Top Museums in Hanoi

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Despite Ho Chi Minh's request to be cremated, like communist leaders before him, he was embalmed and put on display. A visit to the mausoleum is a somber experience in the spiritual center of Vietnamese independence. The guards are not terribly friendly and Uncle Ho looks a little yellow, but the quiet line that forms to view his body is a vision of respect and may even feature a few tears. Ho's mausoleum is open only in the mornings, every day except Monday and Friday. The mausoleum sits in front of Ho's stilt house.

Temple of Literature

In 1070 King Ly Thanh Tong founded this temple to pay tribute to education and to those of high academic achievement. Six years later, it became home to Hanoi's first university. Even now, more than 200 years after the last national examination, the site's five courtyards still enjoy an atmosphere of higher learning. Today, art students sit on the grass and try to reproduce the traditional Vietnamese architecture on paper. Stone stelae record the names of successful doctorates of the past at this quiet retreat into Vietnamese educational history.

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

A short taxi or motorbike ride outside of Hanoi's center brings you to the Museum of Ethnology. The French-designed building and surrounding grounds, which simulate life in the provinces, warrant the trip even before you step inside. The museum displays a dizzying array of artifacts from all over Vietnam. Brief descriptions in French, English and Vietnamese of tools, clothing and recreated homes provide a sketch of several Vietnamese ethnic minorities. A craft shop sells books, bags and other items from various ethnic communities at reasonable prices.

Vietnam Women's Museum

Photographs of women participating in the social and political ceremonies that mark Vietnam's historical path fill the walls of the first few floors of the Women's Museum. Images show prominent women in the context of wars, fighting social evils and promoting Party programs. The top floor of the four-story museum boasts a colorful array of women's textiles and fashion. The collection spans various ethnic groups and eras, from traditional attire to its modern interpretation.

Army Museum

Directly opposite a park featuring a large stone statue of Lenin is the Army Museum. Outside the museum sits Russian, American and Vietnamese weaponry left behind from the French and American wars. The museum itself mostly displays models, photos and information about battles. You will also see personal possessions of people involved on all sides of the disputes. Though the Russian jet fighter at the entrance will be what immediately catches your attention, the whole museum is worth a peek.

Museum of Vietnamese Revolution

The rustic Museum of Vietnamese Revolution houses mostly photos that document the country's various struggles for independence and the history of the Communist Party. Aside from capturing revolutionary moments, the images, which date from 1858 to the present, provide a glimpse of the changing rhythm of Vietnamese streets spanning across three centuries. The objects on display offer a creative and multi-dimensional insight. Some of the more original artifacts include a 1920s jar that stored revolutionary documents, a Japanese Buddhist drum used to rally support for the Party in the 1960s and Vietnam's first sewing machine.

Vietnam History Museum

From prehistoric tools to dynastic thrones to a bust of Uncle Ho, the Vietnam History Museum showcases items that mark the country's historical developments. The second floor displays more than 50 sets of remains from the Champa Kingdom, which flourished in central Vietnam between the 2nd and 15th centuries. A hall packed with detailed seals, stone tablets and sculptures of mythical creatures provides a glimpse of dynastic life. As descriptions of exhibits are brief, a local escort is recommended.

Vietnam Fine Arts Museum

Previously, the French had used this building as the Ministry of Information, but now this large building opposite the Temple of Literature houses samples from Vietnam's finest artists. Although some works are modern, the majority of art is traditional lacquer, oil or ceramics. For people interested in Asian art and design, this is a good place to see the development of Vietnam's artistic culture.

Viet Art

Located right next to the University of Fine Arts, in the hall of its exhibition center, Viet Art café is the go-to place of Vietnamese aspiring young artists. Decorated as artistically as you can expect in red, white, glass, and crystal, it's all-too-easy to be swept in and get lost watching the many exhibited works, from paintings, to photography, to installation art. The café has a selection of more than 40 kinds of cocktails to help get your creativity flowing, or a conversation with your favorite artist going. Jazz music and a quiet, serene atmosphere certainly help too. The café also has breakfasts and lunch buffet. - Van Le

Vu Gia

Vu Gia is famous for its leaf-pictures, a traditional, lost-and-restored style of picture-making from meteria leaves that produce smooth, light, and surreal colors, highly appreciated in Vietnamese fine art community. It has now expanded to include various handmade products made from bamboo, brocade, lacquer... It's quite a unique experience that is worth a visit just to experience the images.