Discovering Hanoi Museum

A Journey Through Hanoi's Museums and Ancient Sites

When I landed in Hanoi, I had one goal in mind: to dive deep into the history and culture of this vibrant city.

I’ve always loved visiting museums, and there’s something about walking through ancient sites that makes the past feel alive. Little did I know, this trip would be full of unexpected moments, from strange toilets to serene cafes under ancient trees.

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology: Stepping Back in Time

My first stop was the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. The place is huge, with both indoor and outdoor exhibits, but it was the outdoor area that really caught my attention. 

As soon as I stepped outside, I felt like I had stepped back in time. The lush greenery, big shady trees, and traditional wooden houses made it feel like I was walking through an old Vietnamese village.

These houses weren’t just for show—they had wooden beds, firewood stoves, and some even had straw roofs. It was amazing to see how people lived back in the day. 

A small stream with a cute little bridge added to the peaceful vibe. They even had a puppet theater, though it wasn’t in use when I visited. The whole place felt like a living snapshot of history.

Inside the museum, there were interactive displays, including a video about the influence of Koreans in Vietnam’s early history. While interesting, it didn’t quite match the charm of the outdoor exhibits. Still, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology left me with a deeper appreciation for the country’s rich culture and history.

Hoa Lo Prison Museum: A Chilling Experience

Next, I visited the Hoa Lo Prison Museum, also known as Maison Centrale. The atmosphere here was totally different—eerie and unsettling. As soon as I stepped inside, I was met with dim lighting and lifelike statues of prisoners. The statues were so realistic that they gave me chills.

The museum was a bit hard to navigate, with exhibits that didn’t flow well, so I ended up missing a few. The place was also only partially air-conditioned, so some areas were uncomfortably warm. Despite these issues, the museum did a great job of telling the story of how the prison was used during the revolution. It’s definitely not a place for the faint of heart, but it leaves a strong impression.

Vietnam National Museum of History: A Peek Into the Past

The Vietnam National Museum of History was the first museum I visited in Hanoi, and it set a great tone for the rest of the trip. The museum is split into two buildings, both housed in beautiful colonial-era structures. One ticket gets you into both buildings, which are just across the street from each other.

The architecture alone was worth the visit. Inside, I noticed a few freelance tour guides offering their services, but I decided to explore on my own. The exhibits were well-organized, and the museum did a great job of covering Vietnam’s long and complex history.

Vietnam Military History Museum & Vietnam People’s Air Force Museum: A Closer Look at the War

The Vietnam Military History Museum and the Vietnam People’s Air Force Museum were both fascinating in their own way. These museums are all about the Vietnam War and the country’s military history. What stood out to me were the old warplanes on display. The Air Force Museum, in particular, had a massive collection of planes, including a huge Huey helicopter. Seeing these machines up close was incredible.

The exhibits are mostly outdoors, so it got pretty hot. I’d recommend visiting early in the morning to avoid the heat. Inside the buildings, the air conditioning wasn’t always on, probably because there weren’t many other tourists around. Still, these museums gave me a better understanding of Vietnam’s military past and the struggles the country has faced.

Ho Chi Minh Trail Museum: Off the Beaten Path

One of the lesser-known museums I visited was the Ho Chi Minh Trail Museum. To get there, I took the Cat Linh Line (Line 2A) in Hanoi, which ends at Yen Nghia station. From there, it was a 700-meter walk to the museum. When I arrived, it was clear this place doesn’t see many visitors—the staff had to rush around to turn on the lights and fans for me.

The museum wasn’t air-conditioned, so some parts were stuffy and hot. But what made this museum stand out was how bluntly it showed the horrors of the Vietnam War. Unlike other museums, which were more balanced, the Ho Chi Minh Trail Museum didn’t hold back on showing the atrocities committed by the Americans, including graphic photos of killings and the use of Agent Orange. It was a tough visit, but it gave me a deeper understanding of the war’s impact on Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh Museum & Mausoleum: Paying Respects to a Leader

Visiting the Ho Chi Minh Museum and Mausoleum was a unique experience. The museum itself mostly repeated what I’d learned in other places, but the real highlight was seeing Ho Chi Minh’s preserved body. It was a solemn moment, and the long walk and stairs to get there added to the sense of importance.

Unfortunately, I visited on Vietnam’s Independence Day, so the place was packed with both locals and tourists. It took almost an hour of waiting in line to get a glimpse of Ho Chi Minh’s body, which made the experience a bit tiring. If you plan to visit, try to avoid busy days for a more peaceful experience.

Vietnamese Women's Museum: Honoring Vietnam’s Heroines

The Vietnamese Women’s Museum was a nice change of pace, focusing on the role of women in Vietnam’s history, especially during the war. The museum was well-designed, with good air conditioning, which was a relief after some of the other places I visited. However, unless you have a lot of time, I’d suggest skipping this one, as it’s more specialized and might not be as engaging as the other museums.

Fine art Museum

The Hanoi Fine Arts Museum is a pretty big place with lots to see. It’s housed in a lovely old building and is nice and cool inside, thanks to the air conditioning. 

You’ll find all kinds of art here, from traditional Vietnamese pieces to modern works. It’s a great spot to get a feel for the country’s artistic history and culture.

Imperial Citadel of Thang Long: A Walk Through History

After visiting so many museums, I was excited to explore the ancient sites of Hanoi, starting with the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long. From the outside, it didn’t seem too extraordinary. However, as we got closer, we realized the significance of the gates, which were built during the Chinese dynasty period. Within the complex, there are colonial buildings from the French era, now housing ancient relics like vases, statues, and carvings from those days.

The compound is vast, divided into three main sites. The first is the main complex, which once served as the historic royal residence and a military fort. It now boasts sprawling grounds with a museum full of artifacts. The second site is the Brick-arched North Entrance, which is a bit separate, so you need to walk out to visit this gate.

The third site was particularly interesting to us—it’s an ongoing excavation area. Here, we got to see how archeological work is done. One of the excavation sites had a deep hole, almost as big as a swimming pool, with a metal staircase leading down to the bottom. At the bottom, there was an ancient spring water pond. The water kept spilling out, so there was a timer on a water pump that would pump out the water to a big drain leading outside.

While exploring the Citadel, I encountered a unique experience that I’ll never forget. I needed to use the restroom, so I followed the signs and found what can only be described as an unusual setup. The women's toilet had squat pans separated by dividers—without doors. And the dividers were only about four feet high. Even with a full bladder, there was no way I was going to do my business with my buttocks exposed! I quickly exited that strange toilet and, with the help of Google Translate, asked the groundskeepers if there were any other, more modern, facilities. Luckily, they pointed me to another toilet not too far away.

After that little adventure, we took a break at a café under a huge tree. We sipped on cool Vietnamese coffee, imagining what it must have been like in ancient times. Maybe someone, centuries ago, sat under the same tree, collecting water from that very spring pond.

Temple of Literature: A Quick Visit

The Temple of Literature is another significant historical site in Hanoi. This complex is also quite large, but it didn’t captivate us as much as the Citadel. Unless you have a lot of time, I’d suggest skipping this one.

Ngoc Son Temple (Temple of the Jade Mountain): A Crowded Getaway

Our last stop was the Ngoc Son Temple, located on a small islet in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake. It’s connected to the shore by a charming bridge, and the setting is quite picturesque. However, it was extremely crowded, likely because it’s right next to the old quarters. The temple itself is small, and with so many people on such a limited piece of land, it was impossible to find the serenity the place is supposed to offer. But the views of the lake were nice, and it’s worth a quick visit if you’re already in the area.

Conclusion: A Deeper Understanding of Vietnam

The Vietnamese government has done a lot to ensure that these museums and ancient places are tourist-friendly, with English signs and descriptions for each exhibit. The toilets are clean and available in most places, and there are even cafés around. Most of these places are within the city and easily accessible by e-hailing services or, as we did, by bus. We traveled around using public transport and had a few hiccups along the way, which you can read about in Part 1 of our Hanoi discovery.

After exploring so many museums and ancient sites, I walked away with a deeper understanding of Vietnam’s history and culture. Each place told a different part of the story, from the ancient dynasties to the struggles of the Vietnam War. But what really made this trip special were the personal moments—the quiet café under a giant tree, the unexpected adventure with the strange toilet, and the stories I’ll carry with me long after I’ve left Hanoi.