Vietnam
sightseeing
The Vietnam National Museum of History is one of the most important museums in Hanoi. It covers Vietnamese history from prehistoric times all the way to the present day. The museum holds over 200,000 artefacts, including 18 officially recognised national treasures. Anyone who wants to understand Vietnam properly should spend at least half a day here.
The museum runs across two buildings in the Hoàn Kiếm district. Site One is at 1 Trang Tien Street. Site Two, the former Museum of Revolution, is at 216 Tran Quang Khai Street. One ticket covers both. Vietnam tour packages that include Hanoi almost always pass through this area. Both buildings are within walking distance of Hoan Kiem Lake.
The building at 1 Trang Tien Street was originally built by the French and housed the École Française d'Extrême-Orient. In 1958, the Vietnamese government took it over and opened it as the National Museum of Vietnamese History on 3 September 1958.
The second building at 216 Tran Quang Khai Street was constructed in 1917 as the headquarters of the Indochina Department of Trade. After liberation in 1954, the government converted it into the Museum of the Vietnamese Revolution. It officially opened on 6 January 1959. After more than half a century of separate operation, both museums merged in 2011 to form the Vietnam National Museum of History that exists today.
October to April is the best time to visit Hanoi. The weather stays cool and dry. Temperatures sit between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius. Visit between 8 AM and 11 AM on weekdays for a quieter experience. Avoid public holidays when the museum draws large local crowds and queues build up quickly.
Located in Hanoi’s French Quarter near Hoàn Kiếm Lake, the museum is easily reached by taxi, walking, or app-based cabs. Travel time from the Old Quarter is usually 10–15 minutes depending on traffic.
Entry Fee:
Timings:
Day Wise Timings
Maps & Location
1 Tràng Tiền, Cửa Nam, Hà Nội 100000, Vietnam
Essential Information
Point of Interest for National Museum of Vietnamese History
Ancient Vietnamese Artefacts
Displays of tools, ceramics, coins, and historical sculptures
French Colonial Architecture
Museum building designed during the French colonial period
Dynasty History Sections
Galleries covering major Vietnamese dynasties and rulers
Archaeological Collections
Artefacts collected from excavation sites across Vietnam
Bronze Drum Displays
Traditional Đông Sơn bronze drums displayed inside museum halls
Nearby Hoàn Kiếm Area
Easy access to Hanoi’s Old Quarter and the lake surroundings
Yes. The museum covers over 300,000 years of Vietnamese history across two buildings. One ticket covers both. It takes two to three hours. If history interests you at all, this is one of the better museums in Hanoi.
Yes. Both merged in 2011. The Museum of Revolution building at 216 Tran Quang Khai Street is now Site Two of the Vietnam National Museum of History. One ticket covers both sites. Same museum, two buildings, two different periods of history.
It holds over 200,000 artefacts covering Vietnamese history from the Stone Age to the present day. It has 18 nationally recognised treasures, including Dong Son bronze drums and Ho Chi Minh's personal documents. It is the most comprehensive history museum in Vietnam.
The museum stays closed every Monday. Morning hours run from 8 AM to 12 PM. The afternoon session runs from 1:30 PM to 5 PM. Plan accordingly and avoid public holidays when crowds are significantly higher than usual.
Trusted by 1,00,000+ travellers
Dedicated experts to plan your trips
Secure bookings, clear cancellations
10,000+ unique trips to choose from
4.8
Grace Collins
Reviewed: Oct 18, 2025Sandeep Ahuja
Reviewed: Jan 10, 2026
