In the heart of Hanoi, amidst the bustling streets, lies a hidden gem that tells the tales of strength, resilience, and empowerment of Vietnamese women throughout history. The Vietnamese Women's Museum in Hanoi honors the role that women have played in shaping Vietnam's rich heritage.

From the traditional roles of women in family and society to their pivotal roles in times of conflict and social change, Vietnamese Women's Museum in Hanoi offers a comprehensive and immersive experience that captivates visitors, making it an absolute must-visit in Hanoi.

The History Of The Vietnamese Women’s Museum In Hanoi

The Vietnamese Women's Museum in Hanoi, located on Ly Thuong Kiet Street, was established in 1987, to honor and celebrate the contributions, achievements, and struggles of Vietnamese women throughout history and in contemporary society. The museum was founded by Mrs. Nguyen Thi Dinh, the president of the Vietnam Women’s Union at the time.

The museum's history is closely intertwined with Vietnam's own journey of development and transformation, marked by periods of colonization, war, and socio-political change. Throughout these turbulent times, women have played vital roles in various aspects of society, often taking on responsibilities both at home and in the public sphere.

In addition to the regular exhibitions, the museum also organizes many thematic exhibitions and projects targeting various groups, especially disadvantaged and vulnerable women and children.

What To See At The Vietnamese Women’s Museum In Hanoi ?

The museum owns a collection of about 40,000 documents and artifacts related to Vietnamese women. There are three permanent exhibitions: Women in Family, Women in History, and Women’s Fashion.

Women In Family

The exhibition tells the life cycle story of women from a young girl growing up, getting married, and entering family life. The role and position of women in the family are highlighted through wedding ceremonies in extended and nuclear families; customs and rituals related to courtship, pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum care, childcare; business, farming, foraging, meal preparation, pottery, weaving, etc.

There is also an exhibition space dedicated to Đạo Mẫu, or the worship of mother goddesses, recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage. The three main elements of the exhibition are "Pure Heart", "Beauty", and "Joy".

Women In History
 

The exhibition not only focuses on introducing the roles and participation of Vietnamese women in the resistance wars against enemies but also touches on various aspects of women's daily lives during the war. The life stories, contributions, achievements, and sacrifices, as well as losses, for the country’s independence, are vividly depicted through the displayed artifacts. Their qualities, courage, determination, and passion are also portrayed through short films. On the walls, you will see many posters and propaganda paintings about war. There is a small corner displaying the image of modern Vietnamese women.

Women’s Fashion
 

The 4th floor of the museum is where you can admire the entire traditional costumes of the 54 ethnic groups and their embroidery techniques. Apparently, you can recognize whether a woman is married or not through their clothes. It’s interesting to see expressions of femininity, especially through makeup, teeth-dying, and jewelry.

There is also an area dedicated to ao dai and its styles throughout history and an area for you to experience wrapping scarves in the traditional style.

“Legends of Youth” Show
 

"Legend of Youth" (or “Huyền Thoại Tuổi Thanh Xuân”) is a collaboration between the Vietnamese Women's Museum in Hanoi and the screenwriter-director Le Quy Duong, aiming to recreate the story of the 10 heroic women who bravely sacrificed themselves at Dong Loc Junction during the Vietnam War when they were just in their late teens and early twenties.

In 1968, during the height of the war, Dong Loc junction became a vital route for transporting supplies from the North to the southern front lines and a target for American bombing raids. Despite the dangers, these 10 Vietnamese women, members of the 4-C552 Youth Volunteers squad, were stationed at Dong Loc to ensure the safe passage of the supplies. They tragically lost their lives while protecting the transportation route, becoming martyrs and symbols of Vietnamese resilience and sacrifice during the war.

The actors participating in the 60-minute show are aged 18 to 24, matching the age of the 10 young female martyrs. You can directly register via the museum's fan page to participate in the special experiential program held at 8:00 PM every Saturday and Sunday.

Visiting Vietnamese Women’s Museum In Hanoi

Opening hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM daily

Entrance fee

Adults: 40,000 VND per person

Students: 20,000 VND per person

Children under 10 years old: Free

“Legends of Youth” show: 450.000 - 550.000 VND

How To Get To Vietnamese Women's Museum

Address: 36 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

If you choose to use the bus, there are several routes available such as 09B, 08A, 31, 36, 45, and 49 with stops directly at Vietnamese Women's Museum, or at 58B Ba Trieu and 29 Hang Bai, which are short walks to the museum.

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