HCMC History Museum

A Peaceful Walk Through Vietnam’s Past We visited the History Museum of Ho Chi Minh City early in the morning, right when it opened and that turned out to be the best decision. The place was peaceful and nearly empty, allowing us to explore without any crowds. By the time we left, more visitors had started arriving, so if you prefer a quiet and calm atmosphere, definitely try to go when the doors first open. The museum is beautifully arranged, guiding you step by step through the fascinating history of Vietnam. From ancient civilizations to more recent events, each section flows naturally into the next. We especially enjoyed the displays on ancient wars, traditional weapons, and the evolution of Vietnamese culture. Seeing swords, armor, and other artifacts up close gave us a deeper appreciation of the country’s resilience and rich heritage. What really stood out was how everything is laid out in a way that’s easy to follow, even if you’re not a history buff. It feels like traveling through time and learning about Vietnam’s past in one thoughtfully curated package. The museum itself is housed in a beautiful colonial era building, and the peaceful garden outside adds to the charm. It’s not a massive museum, but it’s packed with meaningful displays and doesn’t overwhelm you with too much at once. Overall, it was a highlight of our trip. Whether you’re just curious about Vietnam’s roots or already passionate about Southeast Asian history, this museum is well worth a visit. Just remember to go early for the best experience!

This place is definitely worth visiting to dive deeper into the history of Vietnam and gain a better understanding of the country’s unique character. It provides a solid foundation for exploring other locations, like the My Son Sanctuary. We spent about 1.5 hours in the museum, and it has a rich and diverse exhibition. Not far from the museum are the famous Jade Emperor Pagoda and a botanical garden, both of which are worth checking out if you're in the area.

Charming museum with lots to see, but could use some updates This museum gives a broad look at Ho Chi Minh City's development — from ancient cultures to more recent history. The building is beautiful, with French colonial charm, and the surrounding gardens are peaceful. There are some really interesting artifacts, including ancient tools, ceramics, and cultural displays from different ethnic groups. Great for getting a general feel for the region’s past beyond just the wartime period. However, some sections felt a bit outdated, and not everything is translated into English — would love to see more interactive or modern elements. Still, for the low entrance fee, it's a worthwhile stop if you’re interested in Vietnamese history and architecture. 🕰️ Plan for about 1–1.5 hours. Bring cash for tickets.

Admission is 30k VND per ticket. Visited on 5 June afternoon. Had quite a lot of local and foreign visitors when I visited. Got to learn about the religion and history of Vietnam, especially Southern Vietnam. Spent around 1 hour to get to learn sufficient amount of exhibits.

This is a very interesting museum in Ho Chi Minh City, which looks back at the history of the region, and there is very little specifically focused on Ho Chi Minh City itself. Unlike the Presidential Palace and the War Museum, this museum is much quieter, and you can very well explore it at your own pace. There are many chambers to see and appreciate about the art and history of this region. Early after is the best time to go as it is quiet, but consider that in most of the chambers, there is no AC, so in hot days, it can be a bit of a challenge.

A must-see for anyone visiting Ho Chi Minh City. Lots of valuable artifacts. And probably the only place in the city where you can see a mummy. Right next to the zoo so very convenient to plan your next destination.

A really charming museum with really antique architecture. I reccomend anyone who is interested in vietnamese history and archaeology to go visit this place. It’s also near the saigon zoo (one of the oldest zoos in the world) so a full day spent would be a wonderful experience. If there’s anything to complain it would be the lack of AC and the smell from the ongoing renovation.

I was going to the botanical gardens and the museum is on the left of the entrance so I stopped in. First of all, the ticket price is ridiculously cheap, 30,000VND (under $1.50US). Next, the place is much larger than it looks from the outside and filled with interesting and beautiful exhibits. The museum includes exhibits from 1,000 years ago to the Vietnam War, many of them including English explanations. There was a puppet show (extra fee) going on in a small theater in the museum as well as a beautiful garden in the center to sit in the shade and relax. I spent a very enjoyable hour and recommend stopping by.