About Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is a major cultural museum in Nghia Do, Cau Giay District, Hanoi, dedicated to the 54 officially recognized ethnic groups of Vietnam. Located on Nguyen Van Huyen Street about 8 km from central Hanoi, it opened to the public in 1997. The museum is notable for its indoor exhibitions of artifacts, textiles and audiovisual displays and an open-air area featuring full-scale traditional houses.
Visitors guide
Visitors can explore two main areas: the Bronze Drum Building with indoor exhibitions on the 54 ethnic groups including costumes, tools, textiles, photographs and videos, and an open-air exhibition park with full-scale traditional houses such as Giarai communal house, Ede long house, Tay stilt house and Gelao house. The site includes landscaped gardens, ponds, pathways between houses, and indoor display halls with interpretive panels. Guided tours, educational programs and cultural demonstrations are available in designated areas.
Key highlights
- 01
Indoor exhibition in the Bronze Drum Building showcasing artifacts and cultures of Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups
- 02
Open-air area with 10+ full-scale traditional houses including Giarai communal house, Ede long house and Tay stilt house
- 03
Kite Building (Canh Dieu Building) with exhibitions on Southeast Asian cultures
- 04
Extensive collection of textiles, costumes, jewelry, tools and ritual objects
- 05
Audiovisual displays and photographs documenting daily life, rituals and festivals
History of Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
Proposed in December 1987 and constructed from 1987 to 1995, the museum was established as a national project to preserve and research ethnic cultures. Designed by architect Ha Duc Linh in the shape of a bronze drum with interior exhibition design by French architect Veronique Dollfus, it was inaugurated on November 12, 1997 and opened to the public shortly after.
Culture & Context
The museum documents, preserves and presents the cultural heritage of Vietnam's 54 officially recognized ethnic groups through artifacts, traditional architecture, costumes, rituals and daily-life objects, serving as a centre for research, education and promotion of cultural diversity and intercultural understanding.