Hanoi Tours Must-See: Museum of Ethnology Stories

Location, Opening Hours, and Entry Fees in Museum Ethnology Hanoi

Where to find it: The Museum Ethnology Hanoi at 1 Nguyen Van Huyen Street, Cau Giay District, approximately 8 km from the city center of Hanoi. It is convenient to reach by taxi, Grab, or public transport.

Opening hours:

• Open: Tuesday to Sunday, from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM
• Closed: Every Monday and during Tet holidays

Entry fees:

• Adults: 40,000 VND/person
• Students: 10,000 – 20,000 VND/person
• Free admission: Children under 6 years old, people with severe disabilities

Additional services (optional fees):

• Water puppetry show: Extra ticket required
• Tour guides & audio guides (Vietnamese, French, English):
  • 50,000 VND – 100,000 VND/session
• Photo permissions:
  • 50,000 VND for tourist cameras
  • 500,000 VND for professional cameras

No matter whether you’re learning about Vietnamese culture, studying musical instruments, or discovering the 54 ethnic groups found in Vietnam, this museum offers an introduction to national identity. It is an invaluable stop among the Hanoi historical sites, relating well to surrounding places such as The Old Citadel Hanoi and the Hanoi Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology (Sours: viacation)

Getting There: Best Ways to Reach the Museum Ethnology Hanoi

The Museum Ethnology Hanoi, situated at Nguyen Van Huyen Street, Cau Giay District, is conveniently and easily accessible by different modes of transport:

Public Bus Routes

Several public buses conveniently stop near the museum:

• Bus 07: Links Noi Bai Airport to Cau Giay District.
• Bus 12: Operates from Nghia Do Park to the city center.
• Bus 38: connects Tran Phu Street to Nghia Do Park.
• Bus 39: Operates between My Dinh Bus Terminal and Nghia Do Park.
• Bus 85: runs between Giap Bat Bus Station to Nghia Do Park.

Fare: As of November 1, 2024, bus fares in Hanoi are structured based on distance:

• Under 15 km: 8,000 VND
• 15-25 km: 10,000 VND
• 25-30 km: 12,000 VND
• 30-40 km: 15,000 VND
• Over 40 km: 20,000 VND

Schedule: Buses run between the hours of 5:00 AM and 9:00 PM, at an interval of 10-20 minutes during the peak period.

Taxi Services

Taxis provide an easy and convenient route to the museum:

• Estimated Fare:
  • From the Hanoi Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (~6.5 km): Approximately 70,000-100,000 VND.
  • From the Old Quarter (~8 km): 80,000-110,000 VND

Taxi Companies:

• Mai Linh Taxi: Call 1055 or +84 24 38 222 666.
• Taxi Group: Call 1900 54 54 54 or +84 24 38 53 53 53.

Ride-Hailing Apps

Grab and Gojek are the common ride-hailing services in Hanoi. The fare for the trip from the city to Museum Ethnology Hanoi is usually between 70,000-100,000 VND, depending on traffic and demand.

Mai Linh Taxi (Sours: vietcetera)

Three Fascinating Exhibition Zones at the Museum Ethnology Hanoi

Visiting the Museum Ethnology Hanoi is not merely a trip to the museum; it is a cultural trip through the lives of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. The location has three primary exhibition areas that recreate traditional life, architecture, and regional identity. We’ll go through each one of them:

Bronze Drum Building – Where Vietnamese Diversity Comes Alive

Rendered by architect Ha Duc Linh of the Tay ethnic minority, the building is inspired by the Dong Son drum, an unmistakable symbol of Vietnam. It is the site where the permanent exhibition of the museum is located and provides an in-depth insight into vietnamese culture.

• Uncover 12 themed rooms that represent all the major ethnic groups, from the majority Kinh to the smallest minorities.
• The displays cover ethnically dressed costumes, farming equipment, ceremonial artifacts, and indigenous musical instruments.
• Supported by multimedia resources: videos, audio narrations, and 3D presentations.

This is the core of the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, where traditions and tales are kept alive for all generations.

Bronze Drum Building (Sours: hanoionline)

Kite Building – A Window into Southeast Asia

This new pavilion features the cultures of Southeast Asia and was conceived with the traditional kite in mind – an icon of coexistence in the area. Designed by architects at Hanoi University of Civil Engineering, the pavilion opens the museum’s cultural focus beyond Vietnam.

• Discover rotating exhibitions on Indonesia, Thailand, Laos, and many others.
• The highlights are “Indonesian Stained Glass” and “A Month in Asia.”
• Each of them provides tour guide features and is on offer in French, English, and Vietnamese.

Kite Building (Sours: ktds)

Architectural Garden – Ethnic Homes You Can Walk Through

Step out into a beautifully landscaped garden with life-size traditional houses from Vietnam. This garden on 2 hectares of land mimics the architecture of 10 various ethnic groups.

• These are the Tay stilt house, Hmong ground-floor house, Cham courtyard, E De longhouse, and the Giarai tomb house.
• Ideal for photographers and families with interactive, experiential learning.

This outdoor area brings to life the traditional Vietnamese lifestyle and allows you to walk directly into the past.

Architectural Garden (Sours: kienviet)

Live Performances and Interactive Experiences at the Museum Ethnology Hanoi

One of the best surprises at the Museum Ethnology Hanoi is that it is not merely an observatory, it is an experiential place! The guests are encouraged to transcend stationary displays and immerse themselves in Vietnamese culture through live performance and interactive activities. Here’s what you can expect:

Water Puppetry Shows – A Cultural Classic, Live Daily

Hosted on an outdoor open-air stage, these classic shows recreate rural stories, country scenes, and merrymaking village life through ingenious puppets that dance on water!

• Showtimes: Daily, typically in the early afternoon and early morning (check at the entrance).
• Ticket Price: 90,000 VND per adult, 70,000 VND per child (free during the daytime

This ancient performance art is a family favorite and is a great cultural supplement to visits to other places of interest in the Hanoi historical sites, such as the Hanoi Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum or the Old Citadel Hanoi.

Water Puppetry Shows (Sours: mia)

Quan Ho Bac Ninh Folk Singing – Musical Heritage in Action

Typically sung on special events or weekends, the UNESCO-endorsed singing is characterized by the lyrical refinement and cultural depth of Northern Vietnam.

• Guests can observe actual exchanges between male and female vocalists clad in traditional outfits.
• If you are lucky, you might even be invited to participate as well.

Quan Ho Bac Ninh Folk Singing (Sours: vov2)

Try-It-Yourself Craft & Cultural Zones

The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology has activity areas in which you can become an artisan and a farmer:

• Brocade Weaving: Discover how minority groups weave colorful patterns on simple looms.
• Toy-Making: You bring traditional Vietnamese paper toys to life with your own hands.
• Rice Pounding: A key rural skill still done today in many villages. 

These areas are perfect for school trips, cultural delegations, and family groups looking for experiential learning and unforgettable experiences. They are also an expression of the cultural mosaic inherent in the everyday lives of the Vietnam ethnic minorities.

Try-It-Yourself Craft & Cultural Zones (Sours: xanhsm)

Suggested Tours Near the Museum Ethnology Hanoi

Half-Day Morning Tour – Cultural Essentials (8:00 AM – 12:30 PM)

8:00 AM – Pickup from the central area of Hanoi (Old Quarter or Ba Dinh). Introduction to Hanoi historical sites is given by the guide as you travel towards the Museum Ethnology Hanoi.

8:30 AM – Arrive at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology on Nguyen Van Huyen Street, Cau Giay. You set off at the Bronze Drum Building, where you’ll walk through 12 themed galleries featuring the costumes, instruments, and tools of Vietnam’s 54 groups of people. You’ll be accompanied by insights in either French, Vietnamese, or English, depending on which you opt for.

10:00 AM – Venture into the Kite Building, where there are rotating exhibitions of Southeast Asian cultures featuring Vietnam’s commonalities with nations such as Thailand, Laos, and Indonesia.

10:45 AM – Stroll through the Architectural Garden, which has life-sized reproductions of ethnically-designed houses, including stilt houses, tomb houses, and longhouses from the Central Highlands and the North.

11:45 AM – Add-on: Attend the water puppet show (90,000 VND/adult, 70,000 VND/child). A wonderful, ancient traditional art form that is both educational and delightful!

12:30 PM – The tour concludes with drop-off at the hotel or lunch stop of your preference

Full-Day Heritage Tour – Hanoi’s Cultural Highlights (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM)

8:00 AM – Hotel Pickup & Journey Begins

Your guide for the day, in professional attire, awaits you at the heart of Hanoi where you are staying. As you drive comfortably through the bustling capital city, listen to an engaging introduction to the day’s adventure, highlighting the highlights of the Hanoi historical sites.

8:30 AM – Visit to Hanoi Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Start the day at the Hanoi Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the solemn resting grounds of President Ho Chi Minh. You’ll observe the changing of the guards, take in the grandeur of the Presidential Palace, and hear about Vietnam’s revolutionary history. Just steps from there, walk to the One Pillar Pagoda, one of Vietnam’s most ancient and traditional Vietnamese architectural landmarks, constructed in 1049.

Important note: The mausoleum is shut on Mondays and Fridays, and visitors are requested to dress modestly.

10:00 AM – Discover the Old Citadel Hanoi (Thang Long Imperial Citadel)

Step into the ancient royal times at the Old Citadel Hanoi, a UNESCO World Heritage site that has been around for more than 1,000 years. Be amazed at the Doan Mon Gate, the Flag Tower of Hanoi, and the D67 underground bunker that was critical to the synthesis of imperial and revolutionary history. The guide tells you how the former capital of Vietnam is linked to Vietnam’s national heritage.

11:30 AM – Traditional Vietnamese Lunch

Recharge with a well-prepared lunch at one of the local eateries nearby. Savor popular dishes including Pho Bo (beef noodle soup), spring rolls, or grilled pork and vermicelli, all infused with the deep culture and warm welcoming spirit of the country.

1:00 PM – Arrival at the Museum Ethnology Hanoi

The cultural highlight of the day! Visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, situated on Nguyen Van Huyen Street, Cau Giay District. This top destination presents the lives, beliefs, and practices of the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam.

Begin at the bronze drum building, which is a design icon by architect Ha Duc Linh and represents the mythic Dong Son culture. On the inside, view 12 themed areas that transport you through ceremonial costumes, farming implements, musical instruments, weaving practices, and domestic rituals. Bilingual captions in French, Vietnamese, and English, along with digital screens, extend the experience.

2:15 PM – Southeast Asian Exploration at the Kite Building

Cross into the architecturally breathtaking Kite Building, which is dedicated to Southeast Asian cultures. This four-story wing holds regional exhibits such as A Glimpse of Asia and Indonesian Glass Art. It’s an unusual opportunity to put the traditions of Vietnam side by side with others from Laos, Thailand, and farther abroad, expanding your cultural horizon beyond the nation.

3:00 PM – Architectural Garden Walk

Step outside into the verdant green area and take the trip across Vietnam’s ethnic lands. Stroll through full-scale reconstructions of the ethnic houses: the Cham courtyard, the H’mong ground house, the stilt house of the Tay, and even the tomb house of the Giarai. Conceived for interactive discovery and stunning photography, this is the perfect place to stop for families, students, and inquisitive tourists as well.

4:00 PM – Optional Folk Performances & Interactive Crafts

Depending on the day’s itinerary, linger to take in Quan ho Bac Ninh traditional singing, declared by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. Or take on the challenge of brocade weaving, pounding rice, or molding clay toys. These hands-on activities introduce the culture of Vietnam in the most unforgettable of ways.

Further water puppet shows are also on offer (price: 90,000 VND/adult, 70,000 VND)

5:00 PM – Return to Your Hotel

On your return, your guide will summarize the day’s best bits and deal with any questions that are still on your mind. Whether it’s ancient dynasties, revolutionary heroes, or colourful tribal living, this full-day trip ties it all together. You’ll not only take the gorgeous photos, but you’ll also gain an appreciation of Vietnam’s stunning cultural richness.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (Sours: wikipedia)

Book Museum Ethnology Hanoi for Your Journey with Impress Travel 

Visiting the Museum Ethnology Hanoi? Leave it to Impress Travel, an award-winning Vietnam Destination Management Company, to elevate your cultural tour to the next level! With ten years of reliable service, 99% customer approval, and bespoke tour knowledge, Impress Travel is proud to provide enriching tours in Hanoi that engage guests with the heritage of Vietnam.

Visit the amazing Vietnam Museum of Ethnology in Cau Giay District on dynamic Nguyen Van Huyen Street, where the bronze drum building, which was created by Architect Ha Duc Linh, brings the stories, customs, and musical instruments of 54 groups of people in Vietnam to life. We will take you through every carefully crafted exhibit and permanent exhibit by one of our professional bilingual tour guides who speak Vietnamese, French, and English to provide you with an extremely educational and emotional experience.

Most of our private day tours conveniently incorporate the Museum Ethnology Hanoi with other top Hanoi historical sites, such as the Old Citadel Hanoi and the sacred Hanoi Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, providing the optimal combination of national history and ethnic culture in one smooth trip.

Need the best deal? From budget-friendly discovery packages to luxury tailor-made trips, you’re just one phone call or message away from us. You’ll get to enjoy pick-ups at the hotels, hassle-free transportation, tickets to the water puppet shows, and even get to participate in activities such as brocade weaving, just 40,000 VND to get into the museum! Just one thing to remember: it is closed on Mondays, so let’s organize the ideal date.

•  Visit us at 125 Hoang Ngan, 3rd Floor, Trung Hoa, Hanoi, Vietnam
•  Hotline: (+84) 912 379 189
•  Email: info@impresstravel.com

Conclusion

The Museum Ethnology Hanoi is an absolute must-see for anyone interested in Vietnam’s wealth of cultural heritage. Featuring its vibrant displays, live performances, and in-depth coverage of all 54 of Vietnam’s ethnic groups, it is much more than the usual historical sights in Hanoi. Whether you’re visiting nearby sights such as the Old Citadel Hanoi or the Hanoi Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the museum puts depth and context into the trip. Just watch out, that’s because it’s not open on Mondays.