The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is a surprisingly interesting place to get the real feel of Viet Nam .Well worth seeing to learn alot about Vietnam as a nation and of its people, ethnics and minorities under one roof

The museum has over 15,000 artefacts including photographs and other multi-media such as audiotapes.The museum is packed full of information detailing traditional Vietnamese ways of life, from religious events to the symbolic rituals of all the Vietnamese ethnic groups, providing a rich tapestry of the culture melting pot existing in Vietnam. The exhibition hall features everyday objects representing each group, a research centre, library and auditorium.

The facility consists of two parts:indoor display;outdoor display( South East Asia display)

About indoor exhibition space can be viewed via a virtual tour which includes the Viet, Muong, Tho, Chut, Tav, Thai, Ka Dai, H’Mong-Dao, Tang, San Dui, Ngai, Mon-Khmer, Nam-Dao, Cham, Hoa and Khmer ethnic groups. There are priceless antiques on display alongside everyday objects such as pipes, baskets and knives.You can also watch videos if you wish

Expecting to see a wide range of interesting items on display at the museum with clothes, jewellery and items relating to weddings, funeral ceremonies and other spiritual rituals also exhibited across the 54 communities offering an incomparable glimpse of their history, heritage and cultural identity.

The outdoor area presents a range of traditional homes including a Tay stilt house, Yao House on half stilts and half earth, the Ha Nhi house made out of beaten walls, Gia Rai Tomb, Se Dang Communal house to name a few. The interiors of the house feature the living and dining areas. And a Viet house complete with indigenous foliage, each separated by a small stream and reached via little bridges. One of the main features of the museum is to present the artefacts in a simple manner so that visitors can enjoy them without being overwhelmed by detail. The museum is suitable for children and all documents and display signs throughout have been translated into intelligent Vietnamese , French and English.

Certaintly the museum is really especially a great choice for those who cannot find time to visit all remote areas where live the majority of Vietnam ethnic minorities.So dont miss it

You can get there 2 ways: best to go via taxi to the museum which will take about 20 minutes or alternatively take the number 14 minibus from Dinh Tien Hoang Street (just north of Hoan Kiem Lake) to the Nghia Tan stop and walk two blocks

Address: Nguyen Van Huyen, Hanoi

Opening hours: Everyday except for Monday, 8:30-17:30

Website: http://www.vme.org.vn