A Detailed Guide To Vietnam Museum of Ethnology Hanoi
If you want to get a real feel for Vietnam’s culture beyond the usual tourist spots, this museum is a great place to start.
Located in Hanoi’s Cầu Giấy District, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is all about the country’s 54 ethnic groups—how they live, what they wear, and the traditions they’ve carried for generations.
In this travel guide, I share helpful information to plan your trip to the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology.
What to See and Do
The museum is divided into three sections, each offering a different way to explore Vietnam’s heritage. You’ll find detailed exhibits, hands-on experiences, and even performances that bring the culture to life.
1. Explore the Trong Dong Building
This two-story building, shaped like a Đông Sơn bronze drum, is where you’ll find the most detailed look at Vietnam’s ethnic communities. It’s filled with artifacts, ritual objects, and fascinating displays showing how different groups live, celebrate, and work.
On the first floor, you’ll see more than 15,000 artifacts and 42,000 photos. They showcase everything from clothing and farming tools to religious objects and household items. Everything is labeled in Vietnamese, English, and French, so it’s easy to follow along.
The second floor features rotating exhibitions. One year, you might see displays on ethnic textiles and weaving traditions. The next, it could be about traditional medicine or spiritual beliefs. There’s always something new to learn.
2. Walk Through Traditional Houses
This was my favorite part. The outdoor exhibition area feels like stepping into a real village.
These houses aren’t just models. They’re built with the same materials and techniques used by the ethnic groups themselves. You don’t just look at them. You walk inside and experience what daily life might have been like.
- Gia Rai grave house – a sacred space for ancestor worship, with wooden statues representing the spirits of the deceased.
- Hmong stilt house – raised high on wooden stilts, perfect for life in Vietnam’s mountainous regions.
- Ede longhouse – a massive wooden house built for large families to live together under one roof.
3. Visit the Southeast Asia Exhibition
Housed in a modern kite-shaped building, this section expands your view beyond Vietnam. Here, you’ll find artifacts from Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, Laos, and other neighboring countries. It’s a great way to see how Vietnam connects with the wider region.
4. Watch a Water Puppet Show
You can’t leave without seeing a water puppet performance.
This traditional Vietnamese art form dates back to the 11th century when farmers would put on shows using puppets in flooded rice fields.
Now, you can watch beautifully carved puppets perform folk stories on water, with live music playing in the background.
- Showtimes: Mostly on weekends, but check the schedule in advance.
- Tickets: 90,000 VND/adult, 70,000 VND/child.
Vietnam Museum of Ethnology Information
Entrance Fees
- Adults: 40,000 VND.
- University students: 15,000 VND.
- School students: 10,000 VND.
- Seniors, ethnic minorities, disabled visitors: 50% discount.
- Kids under 6, journalists, sponsors: Free.
Opening hours
The museum is open year-round, but mornings and early afternoons are the best times to visit. Weekdays tend to be quieter than weekends, making it easier to take your time exploring.
- Closed on Mondays and during Lunar New Year.
- Tuesday – Sunday: 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
How Long to Spend at the Museum
You can see the highlights in about 1.5 to 2 hours, but if you want to explore in detail, walk through the traditional houses, and catch a water puppet show, you’ll need at least half a day.
How to Get There
The museum is on Nguyễn Văn Huyên Street, about 8 km from Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Getting there is easy:
- Grab: Quick and convenient.
- Taxi or Motorbike: A flexible and affordable option.
- Bus: The cheapest way to go.
Nearby Attractions
If you have more time in the area, you might want to check out these nearby spots:
- Vietnam Museum of Nature (about 2 km away) – A small but interesting museum showcasing Vietnam’s wildlife and fossils.
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex (about 6 km away) – A must-visit if you’re interested in Vietnam’s modern history.
- Lotte Observation Deck (about 4 km away) – Offers a fantastic panoramic view of Hanoi from one of the city’s tallest buildings.
