Located in Cau Giay District, Hanoi, the Vietnam Ethnology Museum offers an insightful look into the lives, traditions, and heritage of Vietnam’s 54 officially recognized ethnic groups. It’s one of the most visited museums in the capital, attracting tourists, students, and researchers alike.
This museum is not just about exhibits — it’s an immersive experience of Vietnam’s deep cultural roots.
🧕 Inside the Main Exhibition Hall
The indoor galleries are organized by ethnic groups, displaying:
Traditional clothing, tools, musical instruments, and ritual items
Short videos and stories explaining different customs and beliefs
Models of daily life and ceremonies from across Vietnam
Rotating special exhibitions on contemporary or lesser-known cultures
🕰️ Most panels have English and French translations
🌍 Why It Matters: Preserving Cultural Identity
The Vietnam Ethnology Museum plays a vital role in preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of the country’s 54 ethnic groups. In a rapidly modernizing world, traditional knowledge, rituals, and crafts can easily be lost.
The museum helps prevent that by documenting oral histories, showcasing real artifacts, and hosting cultural performances and workshops. For both locals and tourists, it’s a place to reflect on Vietnam’s incredible diversity — from the mountainous north to the Mekong Delta.
School groups, scholars, and international visitors leave with a better understanding of what shapes the nation beyond its cities and beaches.
🎭 Cultural Events & Hands-On Activities
Besides the permanent exhibitions, the museum frequently hosts interactive events, especially on weekends or during holidays like Tet or Mid-Autumn Festival. Visitors may witness ethnic dance performances, try traditional games, or even join craft-making workshops such as paper mask painting or bamboo weaving.
These activities are great for families and children, adding a fun and memorable layer to the museum experience. Some events are conducted in collaboration with ethnic artists or elders who travel from remote provinces to share their heritage. It’s more than a museum — it’s a live cultural space.
🛖 Outdoor Ethnic House Area
A unique highlight of the Vietnam Ethnology Museum is the outdoor display of real-size ethnic houses. You can walk into:
Tay and Ede stilt houses
Dao clay-wall homes
Cham and Bahnar communal houses
Special longhouse of the Gia Rai people, raised on high stilts
These structures were built by ethnic artisans and give a rare, hands-on look at how people in rural Vietnam actually live.
👣 Visitor Tips & Experience
📍 Location: Nguyễn Văn Huyên Street, Cầu Giấy District, Hanoi
🎟️ Entrance fee: ~40,000 VND
⏰ Open: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM (closed Mondays)
Best time: Morning visit with 1.5–2 hours recommended
Café and souvenir shop available inside the complex
Check out more Museums to Visit in Hanoi
Read reviews on TripAdvisor – Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
📸 Photography Tip
Bring a wide-angle lens to capture the large wooden houses and cultural details inside. Best light for the outdoor area is between 9–11 AM.