What do Hanoi museums have to offer?

What do Hanoi museums have to offer?

The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is not just a museum, but also a research center.

It offers an insight into the cultural diversity, values and unique lifestyles of over 54 different ethnic groups living in Vietnam.

The museum is divided into two parts. The research center, technical lab, exhibit building, office, library and auditorium comprise one area.

These offices cover 2,480 square meters, including 750 square meters for the storage of artifacts.

A separate outdoor exhibit highlights different styles of houses from around the country.

To date, the museum has collected an impressive 15,000 artifacts, 2,190 slides, 42,000 photographs, 237 audio-tapes, 373 videotapes and 25 CDROMs.

This popular museum receives some 100,000 visitors annually.

The Vietnam Fine Arts Museum is also considered among the top cultural venues in the county for maintaining and promoting the treasures of cultural artistic heritage of Vietnamese ethnic communities.

Visitors to this museum will leave with a deep appreciation for the rich history of Vietnamese fine arts.

This museum showcases works spanning from the prehistoric age to today and it appeals to a great number of visitors thanks not only to the exhibit contents, but also to the fascinating architecture of its building.

Its mandate was to transform the building with ornamental details from the traditional architecture of communal houses and to make it fit for exhibiting works of fine art.

It spans a total area of 4,737 square meters, of which 1,200 are allocated for exhibits. The museum also has equipment for artwork conservation, a restoration lab, and large rooms for conferences and meetings.

It also has 18,002 items ranging from domestic paintings, graphics, sculptures and pottery, to international fine art collectables.

Opened over 50 years ago, the 7,200 square-meter Vietnam Military History Museum houses some 15,000 artifacts that showcase the national military history from Vietnamese clashes of the distant past to the two most recent wars.

It highlights the national military strategies, ongoing issues and lessons learned throughout time as well as exhibiting many of the actual weapons used in the Vietnam War like aircrafts and tanks.

The Vietnam History Museum is home to thousands of relics dating back to the Stone Age and feudal dynasties.

From prehistoric tools to dynastic thrones, and even a bust of Uncle Ho, the museum showcases items marking the country's historical developments.

The second floor displays over 50 sets of remains from the Champa Kingdom, which flourished in central Vietnam between the 2nd and 15th centuries.

A hall packed with detailed seals, stone tablets and sculptures of mythical creatures provides a glimpse of dynastic life.

Preserving the heritage of Vietnamese women, the Vietnamese Women Museum highlights the remarkable achievements of Vietnamese women and their role in national defense and development; along with the establishment of the Vietnamese Women Association. Also on display are the traditional costumes of 54 Vietnamese ethnic groups.

Opened in 1990 on the occasion of the 100th birthday anniversary of Uncle Ho, the Ho Chi Minh Museum is home to over 12,000 documents, films and photos of his noble life and revolutionary career as one of Vietnam most famous heroes.

Onlookers marvel at a unique work in the Museum of the Fine Arts