For someone who wants to get a deep understanding of Vietnamese cultures, a visit to the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is must. It is one of the finest modern museums in the country with a terrific collection of tribal art, artefacts and articles of routine life. 8 kilometers from the city center of Hanoi, this museum is dedicated to the 54 officially recognized ethnic groups. With labels in English, French and Vietnamese, it is easy for all tourists to get familiar with the cultural aspects. Apart from housing the collection of artifacts, the exhibition hall also has an auditorium, a research center, and a library.
Specimens of traditional village houses – a must see feature – have been displayed in the museum grounds. Attention to the details in these creations would leave you dumbfound. Other traditional activities such as the water puppet show, calligraphy and stone games are also interesting to watch. Within the premises is a shop selling souvenirs, books, postcards and craft items. To reach there, take a local bus from P Dinh Tien Hoang till the Nghia Tan bus stop and walk till the museum, which is a few blocks ahead.
Situated at: Nguyen Van Huyen, Hanoi
Opening hours: Every day except for Monday, 8:30 – 17:30
Entrance fee: 25,000 (or USD 1.20)
Camera fee: 50,000 (USD 2)