1. Cultural museums in Saigon

1.1. Ho Chi Minh City Museum

Address: 65 Ly Tu Trong Street, District 1
Opening hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PMTicket fee: 30,000 VND
Website: https://hcmc-museum.edu.vn/en/

Among the museums in Ho Chi Minh City for history enthusiasts, Ho Chi Minh City Museum is a gateway to the city’s rich culture. This museum contains 9 specialized exhibition spaces, highlighting various aspects of Ho Chi Minh City’s formation, development, and revolutionary past. Visitors can explore displays of nature, archaeology, traditional handicrafts, ethnic cultures, and revolutionary struggles.

In this museum, notable artifacts include maps, tools, documents, and wartime memorabilia. Housed in a former governor's residence designed by Alfred Foulhoux in a Gothic style with Asian influences, the building itself is worth admiring. Special exhibitions like "Phu Xuan - Gia Dinh: Historical Imprints” and “Thang Long - Hanoi, A Thousand Years of Civilization” offer deeper insights into Vietnam's heritage.

1.2. Ho Chi Minh City History Museum

Address: 2 Nguyen Binh Khiem Street, District 1
Opening hours: 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM | 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM (closed on Monday)
Ticket fee:
- Adults: 30,000 VND
- Children under 6: Free of charge
Website: https://www.baotanglichsutphcm.com.vn/en-US/

The History Museum of Ho Chi Minh City was formerly known as the Museum of Blanchard de la Brosse (1929) and later Vietnam National Museum (1956). As the first museum in southern Vietnam, it boasts a stunning French-Indochinese architectural style, surrounded by picturesque landscapes. It showcases over 43,000 artifacts, including 12 national treasures from the Oc Eo and Champa cultures. Permanent exhibitions cover Vietnam’s history, from prehistoric times to the Nguyen Dynasty, and explore the cultural heritage of Vietnam and Asia. Highlights include the Nguyen Dynasty’s antiques, Buddhist statues, Cham sculptures, Oc Eo relics, and Asian ceramics.

1.3. Southern Women’s Museum

Address: 200-202 Vo Thi Sau Street, District 3
Opening hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Ticket fee: Free
Website: https://baotangphunu.com/en/home/

You cannot miss the Southern Women’s Museum when it comes to history museums in Ho Chi Minh City. Opened in 1985, this museum celebrates Vietnamese women's contributions. Its collection houses over 31,000 artifacts including films, photographs, documents, and books. The 11 permanent exhibitions focus on Vietnamese women’s roles in wartime, traditional crafts, and heritage. Highlights include photos of Southern Vietnamese women in the war, the Phu Nu Newspaper collection, displays on the Mother Goddess Worship, ethnic costumes, and jewelry.

1.4. Ao Dai Museum

Address: 206/19/30 Long Thuan Street, Thu Duc City
Opening hours: 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Ticket fee: 50,000 VND
Website: https://baotangaodai.com.vn

Ao Dai Museum celebrates the essence and history of ao dai - Vietnam’s iconic traditional garment. Situated within a serene natural setting, the museum’s architecture harmoniously blends Quang Nam’s traditional house style with the southern region’s waterway aesthetic. The exhibition “History of Ao Dai” chronicles the evolution of this symbolic costume. The exhibition "Ao Dai in Cultural Heritage" showcases ao dai associated with intangible heritage like Xoan singing, Quan ho singing, and Don ca tai tu singing. Here, visitors can also enjoy market activities, rent ao dai for photos, explore the local cuisine, and visit special areas featuring ceramic collections.

1.5. Ton Duc Thang Museum

Address: 5 Ton Duc Thang Street, District 1
Opening hours: 7:30 AM - 11:30 AM | 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM (closed on Monday)
Ticket fee: Free
Website: https://baotangtonducthang.vn/

Established in 1988 to honor the 100th birth anniversary of President Ton Duc Thang, this museum in Ho Chi Minh City uniquely presents the life and career of one of Vietnam’s most admired leaders. It houses five thematic galleries, showcasing his journey from a humble child to a national leader. Key exhibitions include “His Childhood”, “15 Years in Con Dao Prison” and “A Symbol of National Unity.” With over 17,000 artifacts, photographs, and documents, the museum paints a vivid picture of Ton Duc Thang’s contributions to Vietnam’s independence and unity. Visitors can pay homage at the memorial room and see special exhibitions like “Ton Duc Thang and the People’s Army”.

2. War museums in Ho Chi Minh City

2.1. War Remnants Museum

Address: 28 Vo Van Tan Street, District 3
Opening hours: 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Ticket fee:
- Adults: 40,000 VND
- Children under 6: Free of charge
Website: https://baotangchungtichchientranh.vn/?language=en

Founded in 1975, the War Remnants Museum is the only museum in Vietnam dedicated to studying and preserving exhibits about war crimes and their consequences. This museum features many permanent exhibitions, including "Historical Truths", "Vietnam - War and Peace", "Consequences of Agent Orange", "War Crimes", "Global Support in Vietnam’s Resistance War Against the US", and more. Here, visitors can explore an array of artifacts, including photos, panels, maps, documents, and weapons like tanks, bombs, and aircraft. Special exhibitions such as “Dien Bien Phu in the Air” and “Agent Orange - Conscience and Justice” provide deeper insights into Vietnam's resilience.

2.2. Independence Palace

Address: 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, District 1
Opening hours: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Ticket fee:
- Adults: 65,000 VND
- Children: 15,000 VND
Website: https://independencepalace.gov.vn/

The Independence Palace, a symbol of Vietnam's resilience, is a must-visit museum in Ho Chi Minh City. Originally built by the French in 1868 as Norodom Palace, it later became the residence of the Republic of Vietnam’s leaders. On April 30, 1975, it witnessed a historic moment when a tank from the Vietnamese Liberation Army crashed through its gates, marking the country's reunification. Today, the palace houses exhibitions like “From Norodom Palace to Independence Palace: 1868-1966”, which features 800 photos and artifacts on its turbulent history. Moreover, visitors can admire its architecture which blends Eastern tradition with Western modernity, and explore areas once used by former governments.

2.3. Ho Chi Minh Campaign Museum

Address: 2 Le Duan Street, District 1
Opening hours: 7:30 AM - 11:30 AM | 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM (closed on weekends)
Hotline: 033 657 8946

Ho Chi Minh Campaign Museum is one of the best museums in Ho Chi Minh City, commemorating the final days of Vietnam’s fight for reunification. This museum offers six themes: From the Paris Accords to the Phuoc Long Victory, the Tay Nguyen Campaign, the Hue-Da Nang Campaign, the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, the Ho Chi Minh Campaign Command, and the Collapse of the puppet Southern Government. Among over 6,000 artifacts, highlights include a large diorama, battle plans, and photos of victory. Outside, visitors can see military tanks and fighter jets used in the campaigns and a monument celebrating the 1975 Victory.

2.4. Southeastern Armed Forces Museum

Address: 247 Hoang Van Thu Street, Tan Binh District
Opening hours: 7:30 AM - 11:30 AM | 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM (closed on Monday)
Ticket fee: 40,000 VND

The Southeastern Armed Forces Museum is another place to learn about the resistance wars in Vietnam. It is dedicated to the history of Vietnam’s military forces in the southeastern region, with over 23,000 artifacts. The exhibitions chronicle the region’s resistance against the French and Americans, highlighting key moments such as the Ho Chi Minh Campaign and the defense of Vietnam’s southwestern borders. The museum features interactive displays, including the destruction belts, tunnels, improvised weapons, and the “Ho Chi Minh Campaign Duty Log,” a national treasure.

3. Famous art museums in Ho Chi Minh City

3.1. Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts

Address: 97 Pho Duc Chinh Street, District 1
Opening hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Ticket fee:
- Adults: 30,000 VND
- Children under 6: Free of charge
Website: http://baotangmythuattphcm.com.vn/

Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts showcases the evolution of art in southern Vietnam. The building itself, an exquisite example of early 20th-century French architecture, harmoniously blends Western designs with Eastern elements like tiled roofs and ceramics-decorated columns. This museum houses over 22,000 artifacts divided into two main categories: classical and contemporary fine arts. There are watercolors, oil paintings, sculptures, and war sketches. In addition, there are ancient ceramics from Lai Thieu and Bien Hoa, Cham stone sculptures, and contemporary statues. Frequent art exhibitions hosted by local and international artists also make it a dynamic space for cultural exchange.

3.2. Quang San Art Museum in Saigon

Address: 189B/3 Nguyen Van Huong Street, Thu Duc City
Opening hours: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM (closed on Monday)
Ticket fee:
- Adults: 200,000 VND
- Children under 6: Free
Website: https://quangsanartmuseum.com.vn/

Quang San Art Museum is another go-to museum in Ho Chi Minh City for art lovers, dedicated to inspiring public appreciation for Vietnamese art. It is Ho Chi Minh City’s first private art museum, preserving over 1,500 culturally significant artworks gathered over 20 years. Situated on a scenic site overlooking the Saigon River, the museum has three floors. The ground floor showcases works by pioneering Vietnamese painters and sculptors (1925–1945). The first floor features pieces reflecting wartime themes (1925–1975), while the second floor highlights artistic developments during the reunification and reformation era (post-1975). There are also thematic exhibitions like “Under the Forest Canopy” and “Blend in Blossom."

4. Best science museums in Ho Chi Minh City

4.1. Geological Museum in HCMC

Address: 2 Nguyen Binh Khiem Street, District 1
Opening hours: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (closed on weekends)
Ticket fee: Free

The Geological Museum offers a deep dive into Earth’s ancient history. Located in a 1970s-esque building, it spans three floors and displays 3,000 specimens. Each floor explores distinct themes such as geology, minerals, paleontology, and gemstones. Notable exhibits include the 1988 geological map of Vietnam, ancient fossils, and prehistoric stone tools. There are also gemstones such as quartz, jade, ruby, and sapphire. Many specimens, including rocks millions of years old, were collected by the French across Indochina. The museum also plays a vital role in research, education, and preservation of Vietnamese geological heritage.

4.2. Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine

Address: 41 Hoang Du Khuong Street, District 10
Opening hours: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Ticket fee: 180,000 VND

The Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine is a treasure trove of artifacts that illuminate Vietnamese ancient healing practices. This museum in Ho Chi Minh City resembles a traditional house and exudes cultural charm. Its 3,000 exhibits range from 2,500-year-old stone mortars and pots to 16th-century precision scales. Visitors can also explore ornate altars honoring the medical pioneers Tue Tinh and Hai Thuong Lan Ong, along with lacquered wood plaques. The museum also features interactive experiences, including herbal preparation and sampling of traditional remedies for an immersive cultural tour.

*Note: The information in this article is for reference purposes only and may be subject to change over time. Please visit the official website or contact the museum directly for the latest information.

These museums in Ho Chi Minh City offer a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam's heritage. From historical artifacts to art exhibits, these 13 museums will deepen your understanding of Vietnam’s past and its vibrant traditions!

After exploring these museums, you can enjoy endless fun at Grand Park in Thu Duc City. Here, you can experience exciting water slides at the Tropical Island water park, adrenaline-pumping rides at the Dream Garden amusement park, the peaceful Lake Beach.

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Beyond Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam travel offers other popular destinations like Hanoi, Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, Hoi An, and Ha Long. There, travelers can stay at the hotels and resorts of Vinpearl. With contemporary designs and all-inclusive services, Vinpearl ensures a luxurious stay. Moreover, be sure to visit the entertainment complexes of VinWonders for thrilling games and captivating shows!