Vietnam National Museum of History

Museum in Hanoi

The Vietnam National Museum of History (Vietnamese: Viện Bảo tàng Lịch sử Việt Nam) is located in the Hoan Kiem district of Hanoi, Vietnam. Originally built in 1910 as an archaeological research institution by the French School of the Far East (École Française d’Extrême-Orient EFEO) during French colonial rule, the building underwent significant renovations in 1920. Between 1926 and 1932, it was redesigned by architect Ernest Hébrard. In 1958, the government of North Vietnam (now the government of Vietnam) acquired the museum, subsequently expanding its artifact collections to include eastern arts and national history.

The museum showcases Vietnam’s history from its prehistoric era (approximately 300,000–400,000 years ago) up to the August 1945 Revolution. With over 200,000 exhibits, the displays cover a vast timeline from prehistory to the 1947 revolution and the founding of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. The artifacts are organized into five major sections, providing a comprehensive overview of the nation’s rich historical heritage.

The Vietnam National Museum of History appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Hanoi!

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