Attraction
Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple
The lake at the heart of Hanoi, linked to the legend of the returned sword, with the Turtle Tower and the 18th-century Ngoc Son Temple on…
Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
A museum devoted to Vietnam's 54 recognised ethnic groups, with galleries of costumes and crafts and an open-air garden of full-size traditional houses.
At a glance
- Type
- Ethnography museum
- Area
- Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Opening
- Open 6 days a week (closed Monday) · 08:30–17:30
Good to know
- Indoor galleries
- Open-air architecture garden
- Southeast Asia building
Why we recommend it
The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is the best place in Hanoi to understand how diverse the country is. Vietnam officially recognises 54 ethnic groups, and the museum sets out to show how each of them lives, works, dresses and worships, using objects, photographs, film and full-size buildings. The project was approved in 1987, building work ran until 1995, and the museum opened in November 1997. The permanent indoor exhibition covers about 2,000 square metres on a site of almost 44,000 square metres. It is part of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, and it draws around half a million visitors a year.
The main exhibition building was designed by Ha Duc Linh, an architect from the Tay ethnic group, in a form inspired by the bronze drums of the ancient Dong Son culture, with interiors by the French architect Veronique Dollfus. Inside, three main exhibition areas cover costumes, handicrafts, tools, musical instruments and ritual objects, supported by videos that show crafts and ceremonies in context. A second building, shaped like a kite, opened in 2013 and is dedicated to the cultures and peoples of Southeast Asia beyond Vietnam's borders.
For many visitors the highlight is the open-air area, which covers about 20,000 square metres behind the main building. Here you can walk around life-size replicas of traditional buildings from different ethnic communities. Seeing the houses at full size gives a sense of scale and craftsmanship that the indoor displays cannot, and the open space makes the museum a good choice for families with children who need room to move.
The museum is open from 8.30am to 5.30pm every day except Mondays and the New Year holiday. Allow at least two hours, and three if you want to see both buildings and the garden properly; bring a hat and water on hot days, and consider seeing the outdoor area first, before the midday heat. The content rewards a slow pace.
The museum is in Cau Giay district, about 8 kilometres west of the historic centre, so most visitors come by taxi or ride-hailing app; journey times depend heavily on traffic. Because it is some way out, it makes sense to give it a half day of its own rather than squeezing it between central sights.
Vietnam Museum of Ethnology FAQs
What does the museum cover?
The daily life, crafts, costumes and beliefs of Vietnam's 54 officially recognised ethnic groups, plus a building on Southeast Asian cultures.
When is it open?
8.30am to 5.30pm daily except Mondays and the New Year holiday.
When did it open?
In November 1997; the Southeast Asia building opened in 2013.
What is in the open-air area?
Life-size replicas of traditional architecture from different ethnic groups, across about 20,000 square metres.
How long should I allow?
At least two hours, or three to see both buildings and the garden.
Is it good for children?
Yes, the open-air area with full-size houses gives children space to explore.
How far is it from the centre?
About 8 kilometres west of the historic centre, in Cau Giay district; a taxi or ride-hailing trip is the easiest way there.
Who designed the building?
Ha Duc Linh, a Tay architect, designed the main building inspired by Dong Son drums, with interiors by Veronique Dollfus.