History Museum of Ho Chi Minh City

The displays at the Museum of Vietnamese History are divided into two sections. The first section displays Vietnam’s ancient history. The second section explores the cultural history of the country’s ethnic minorities and the influence of other countries. On entering the museum, the first exhibit begins on the left and the tour moves in a clockwise motion with all displays arranged in chronological order. All the informational display texts are written in English, Vietnamese, and French. The exhibits begin from the pre-historic period with sculptures depicting artefacts like bronze drums, royal jewellery, and even a wooden coffin shaped like a boat that was found in 1961.

The other section of the Museum of Vietnamese History displays exhibits of Vietnam’s ruling dynasties. This fairly large exhibit is in a spacious room, attempting to highlight all the battles of the time like the map of battles with the Yuang Dynasty or a painting of the Battle of Bach Dang. On the wall, there is a quote by the famous Vietnamese general, Tran Hung Dao. The other fascinating artefacts here include Vietnamese music instruments like the danh tranh, cups made of tortoiseshells, and even a lacquered royal bed. You’re bound to be mesmerized by the articulate clothing once worn by the royal members and seeing the way royalty lived in Vietnam.