Enter into the essence of Vietnamese creativity at the National Museum of Fine Arts Hanoi, where each artifact holds a significant narrative of heritage, resilience, and artistry. Found in 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Ba Dinh, this historic museum complex, a blend of French colonial and Vietnamese style, designed by Ernest Hébrard, is a true icon of national heritage. Amongst the best but lesser-known hidden gems Hanoi has to offer, this museum exhibits everything from ancient sculpture to modern art pieces, capturing the varied voices of ethnic minorities from throughout Viet Nam. For anyone venturing into the top museums in Hanoi, this is not just a visit, it’s an unforgettable glimpse into the heart and soul of a nation.
The National Museum of Fine Arts Hanoi, at 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Ba Dinh, first served as a French colonial boarding school in 1937. The government redeveloped it in 1962 as a national museum, and by 1966, it was fully established as a home for Vietnam’s finest artworks. After a comprehensive renovation in 2017, it currently exhibits and stores well over 20,000 objects that convey the art voice of ethnic communities throughout Viet Nam.
If you’re visiting Hanoi’s top museums, this is one of hidden gems Hanoi unknown treasures which you just can’t afford to leave out
Ticket Prices:
This iconic fine art museum is itself a work of art, a synthesis of French colonial style and Vietnamese community sensibilities courtesy of visionary architect Ernest Hébrard. This tiled roof, those arched windows, and those beautiful corridors transform what could have been a Hanoi art gallery into something much, much more. It’s a bridge between cultures and between centuries.
Both inside and out, Vietnam’s National Museum of Fine Arts Hanoi is one of those underappreciated yet stunning secret treasures, whose art and building itself speak volumes about a country forged from imagination and strength.
National Museum of Fine Arts Hanoi (Sours: vnfam)
Start with an expansive chronology of art from prehistoric stone implements to dynamic modern sculpture. The galleries glitter with National Treasures and mythic pieces from masters such as To Ngoc Van, Nguyen Gia Tri, and Bui Xuan Phai, all contained within imposing museum headquarters at 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Ba Dinh.
This museum stands out not only among those in Hanoi but throughout all Southeast Asia, mirroring pride expressed in such museums as Vietnam’s National Museum and Vietnam Museum of Ethnology.
As part of a special tribute to rural life, the museum maintains ethnic groups through folk paintings and traditional crafts. Admire the bright colorfulness of Sinh village prints, Kim Hoang prints, and Dong Ho prints paintings that evoke daily pleasures, festival celebrations, and ceremonial rites into artworks. Coupled with carved wood, terracotta, and bronze sculpture, these artworks present a world full of spiritual depth and social mores.
For those who desire authenticity, this alone makes the National Museum of Fine Arts Hanoi one of hidden gems Hanoi treasures for cultural exploration.
Be amazed at centuries of ceramics! This part of our tour showcases the history of Vietnamese ceramics from the Tran and Ly dynasties right up until today. With crackle glaze, celadon smoothness, and blue-and-white iconic porcelains, every piece has a silent story about trade, heritage, and technology mastery.
Whether you’re an art history buff or an occasional admirer, this is a gallery that stands comparison to any musée national in the region.
Lastly, step into an art gallery where passion is intense. This art captures the resilience of Vietnamese painters throughout and following the Vietnam War. With bold brushstrokes, stark imagery, and evocative symbolism, artworks reverberate with themes of patriotism, sacrifice, and hope for a nation rising again.
It’s here, in these halls, that the National Museum of Fine Arts Hanoi comes into its own not an art gallery for Hanoi, but an open window into a people’s heart that lived, persevered, and evolved through art.
Folk Art (Sours: vietnamtravel)
If you bring little ones, be sure not to leave without exploring the museum’s vibrant, interactive Creative Space for Children, a highlight in the experience of Viet Nam’s fine arts museum. Open for ages 5 through 15, this studio, located on the museum’s third floor, provides an opportunity for young ones to paint, draw, sculpt clay figurines, and even attend traditional art workshops. A creative wonder that fosters young imagination and creativity while discovering Viet Nam’s artistic heritage
Session times:
Ticket price: 50,000 VND/child
Whether a first-time museum outing or a repeat visit, this area provides an unforgettable touch of happiness to the National Museum of Fine Arts Hanoi experience, one reason it’s considered one of hidden gems Hanoi best hidden treasures for families.
The museum itself is not static; it thrums with energy from a changing rotation of exhibitions. From the sentimental “Voices of Vietnam" to the highly regarded “20th Century Vietnamese Art," every exhibit throws new windows onto the country’s cultural pulse.
These events are not isolated occurrences. The National Museum of Fine Arts Hanoi has boldly exported its treasures onto world platforms France, Japan, the US, Laos and hosts foreign exhibitions in its own halls as well. This registers the museum as a significant contributor to Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy and an authentic vietnam national museum in nature and scale.
It’s a dynamic site not just for presenting Vietnamese creativity, but for sharing in world collaboration, artistic discussion, and cross-cultural interchange.
Behind closed doors, the National Museum of Fine Arts Hanoi keeps one of its most important jobs quietly underway: maintaining Vietnam’s art heritage. Within its restoration and conservation workshops, specialists carefully stabilize unstable materials ranging from oil paintings and lacquerware to sculpture and scrolls dating back centuries.
With support from organizations such as the Goethe Institute and the Dresden Academy for Fine Arts, the conservation department at the museum is laying the foundations for an impending National Conservation Centre.
These endeavors are what provide this museum of fine arts its long-term legitimacy not only as a gallery in Hanoi, but as a respected custodian of Viet Nam’s soul, akin to those played by the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology or the Museum of History.
The Creative Space for Children (Sours: vietnamairlines)
Visit: National Museum of Fine Arts Hanoi
Location: 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Ba Dinh
Ticket: 40,000 VND (Adults)
Walk (400m) → Temple of Literature (Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam)
Lunch break nearby – Suggested:
Taxi (5 mins or 1.2km) → One Pillar Pagoda & Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex
Taxi or walk (10-15 mins) → Vietnam Military History Museum (optional)
Taxi (5-7 mins) → Hanoi Old Quarter & Hoan Kiem Lake
Back to your hotel around 4:00-4:30 PM, or keep exploring off-beat spots Hanoi has around, like Ngoc Son Temple, Heritage House (87 Ma May), or the Women’s Museum.
Temple of Literature (Sours: airasia)
Ready to discover Hanoi’s cultural riches the inspiring National Museum of Fine Arts Hanoi and Hanoi’s signature landmarks along with hidden gems Hanoi? Have us create your dream itinerary!
We offer bespoke and customized tours in Viet Nam and throughout Southeast Asia, curated by our knowledgeable team in Hanoi. From a half-day walk-through city tour to a full-day art and heritage tour, or a multi-day tour covering the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, or Vietnam Military History Museum, we have you covered.
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The National Museum of Fine Arts Hanoi can be located at 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Ba Dinh District not far from heritage landmarks such as the Temple of Literature and Vietnam Military History Museum. This gorgeously restored Hébrard building is a repository for all manner of Vietnamese creativity and identity.
Open daily from 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM, including weekends.
Note: The museum may close during major public holidays.
|
Category |
Price (VND) |
|
Adults |
40,000 |
|
Students (with valid ID) |
20,000 |
|
Children (6-16 years) |
10,000 |
|
Children under 6 / Disabled |
Free |
|
Guided tour (max 25 pax) |
150,000/group |
|
iMuseum VFA Audio Guide |
50,000 (adults) / 30,000 (students) |
Multi-language iMuseum guides come in English, French, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Spanish, German, Italian, and Vietnamese just the right fit for all explorers in this Hanoi art gallery environment.
The National Museum of Fine Arts Hanoi is not just a gallery, it’s a living reflection of Viet Nam’s soul. Ranging from ancient artifacts to contemporary masterpieces, it shows off the strength, innovation, and identity of its people. For travelers looking for authenticity, it’s one of the most meaningful hidden gems Hanoi has in store for them. Planning your Hanoi cultural tour? Don’t miss out! Our complete hidden gems Hanoi and beyond travel guide awaits!
We went on a private trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, the whole trip plan was organized for us by the Impress Travel Company from Vietnam, the company did an amazing job, the whole trip was organized in a wonderful way with an amazing match between the various parties, their choices were correct and the quality of the hotels chosen were very high quality and it is important to note that the price was low in comparison To other agencies, thanks to Impress Travel and especially to Daniel who was tolerant and open to changes and organized the route for us.
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We started our holiday in the north (Sapa)of Vietnam and travelled down to HCMC.
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Great value for money with 4 stars hotel accommodation for 4 couples. The tour guide has been very helpful and brought us to amazing places in Sapa. We want to thanks Thuy the tour guide and especially Mark from Impress Travel for his great service and assurance throughout our trip. We’ll definitely use his service for other tour packages in other parts of Vietnam.
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We enjoyed our holiday with Impress travel. We will definitely come back to Vietnam again with Impress
Impress Travel offers daily tours to attractive destinations in the capital of Hanoi as well as package tours to explore the most popular destinations in North Vietnam, such as Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh, and Sapa, or adventure tours to explore the Northeast & Northwest regions such as Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Bac Kan, Mu Cang Chai. Our products focus on providing travel services for private tours, small groups, family groups, and couples who need to make special requests for the trip. For the trip to Hanoi & North Vietnam, your submission to Impress Travel & Destination Management Company (DMC), which will bring the greatest value to your trip.
To explore Hanoi Capital's hidden charm for the first day, visit the most iconic attractions such as historical President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, Ancient Temple of Literature, tranquil Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi elderly quarter. Then, the upcoming of Hanoi – Halong Tour, we will have an amazing 2 day and 1 night stay on an outstanding cruise to explore the seven natural wonder of the world.
We will explore the most amazing places in the north of Vietnam. We will bring you to explore Hanoi charming city. Then, we are going to Tam Coc, Ninh Binh where we visit the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, enjoy the boat trip in Tam Coc and to discover the countryside. The unforgettable time is on Halong bay cruise that bring you to explore the seven natural wonder of the world.
To bring travelers to discover the most iconic of treasures in the Northern part of Vietnam. Travelers get ahead with the discovery of Hanoi’s hidden charm .The stunning beauty of North Vietnam come up with Sapa’s discovery were attracted by imposing sceneries such as rows of mountains, hills, lush valleys, rice terraces, waterfalls, and ethnic minority community. Afterward, visitors following up to Ha Long Bay
To discover the most iconic of treasures in the Northern part of Vietnam. Travelers get ahead with the discovery of Hanoi. Then, to explore stunning beauty of Sapa where we are attracted by imposing sceneries such as rows of mountains, hills, lush valleys, rice terraces, waterfalls, and ethnic minority community. Afterward, visitors following up to Ha Long Bay & Ninh Binh (Tam Coc).
