The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi is a captivating destination that offers a deep insight into the cultural richness and diversity of Vietnam's ethnic groups. Established in 1997, the museum is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the traditional customs, lifestyles, and artifacts of the 54 recognized ethnic groups of Vietnam.

At the museum, you'll find a diverse range of exhibits, including traditional clothing, handicrafts, musical instruments, tools, and architectural models representing different ethnic communities across the country. Visitors can explore both indoor and outdoor exhibition areas, featuring reconstructed traditional houses, cultural displays, and interactive exhibits.

The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi is a must-visit destination, whether you're a history enthusiast, a cultural explorer, or simply curious about Vietnam's ethnic diversity. 

The Vietnam Museum Ff Ethnology’s Layout

The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi is designed with three main exhibition areas, an outdoor space, and 2 indoor exhibition areas: the Architecture Garden, the Bronze Drum Exhibition Area, and the Kite Exhibition Area.

Bronze Drum Area (Khu Trong Dong)

The building was designed by the Tay architect Ha Duc Linh, modeled after the Dong Son bronze drums, covering an area of 2000 square meters. The Bronze Drum exhibition area showcases the cultures of the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam through 15,000 artifacts. It also shows many fascinating research papers on ethnic culture conducted by museum researchers. The exhibition area consists of 9 systematically and consistently arranged sections, taking about 2 hours to explore.

Kite Exhibition Area (Khu Canh Dieu)

The Kite Building was built in 2006 and designed to resemble a kite, symbolizing the traditional cultural beauty of Vietnam and Southeast Asia. The Kite building has 4 floors, with the 4th floor designated as the artifact preservation area, and the other 3 floors comprising offices, design rooms, and preparation for exhibition. The total display area of ​​the Kite Exhibition Area is about 500 hectares. Visitors will experience exhibition themes to better understand the cultural activities, customs, and traditions of the people of Southeast Asia, such as Indonesian glass paintings.

Architecture Garden (Vuon Kien Truc)

The Architecture Garden covers a total area of ​​up to 2 hectares and featuring 10 distinct folk architectural structures of 10 Vietnamese ethnic groups, showcasing the diversity of the cultures. These include houses of the Cham people, Ede longhouses, Bana communal houses, Tay stilt houses, etc. The Architecture Garden is covered with greenery and artificial streams, providing a cool and comfortable space.

Other Things To See At The Vietnam Museum Of Ethnology

When visiting the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi, you can also participate in various entertaining activities such as watching water puppetry, listening to Quan Ho folk songs, and engaging in traditional folk games.

Water puppetry is a unique traditional folk art form that originated from the Red River Delta. Artists adapt stories from the daily lives of ethnic groups across the country into vivid puppet performances. Ticket prices: 90,000 VND/adult and 70,000 VND/child.

Quan Ho has been considered the cultural essence of Bac Ninh for hundreds of years. Even if you’re not visiting the province, you can still have the opportunity to enjoy Quan Ho performances right here at the museum.

Traditional folk games such as stilt walking, swinging, bridge crossing, and balancing are also organized within the museum grounds. According to some visitors, participating in these folk games is the most enjoyable experience. You not only get to have fun but also learn about Vietnamese folk games that are gradually disappearing in modern life.

Visiting Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

Opening hours: every day from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM 

Entrance fees:

Museum admission ticket: 40,000 VND

College students: 15,000 VND 

Students: 10,000 VND

Elders, people with disabilities, and ethnic minorities: 50% discount

Children under 6 years old, disabled people, journalists, sponsors: Free

Audio guides:

Vietnamese (indoor/outdoor): 50,000 VND

English/French (indoor): 100,000 VND

Additional charges: 

Camera: 50,000 VND

Address: Nguyen Van Huyen Street, Cau Giay District, Hanoi

=> Top 10 best places to visit in Hanoi