Southern Vietnam Women Museum Through Vietnam Package Tours

Origins and Vision of the Museum

The Southern Vietnam Women Museum at 200–202 Vo Thi Sau Street, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City was established on 29 April 1985 to commemorate the role of women in Southern Vietnam. The building first started as a small classical house with only six rooms, and in a short time, these rooms developed and became a national museum of over 5,400m².

Behind its founding was a group of 13 committed female revolutionaries, known as Southern Women’s History Group (The Association of the Female History), led by Nguyen Thi Thap. They hunted thousands of real-life artifacts and stories in order to preserve women’s roles hidden in history. 

The new building for the enlarged Southern Vietnam Women’s Museum was formally opened in 1990 to mark President Ho Chi Minh’s centenary. Today, the museum houses over 44,000 artifacts and is dedicated to education, cultural preservation, and empowerment. 

It doesn’t get any better than the free-of-charge Southern Vietnam Women’s Museum with no ticket price, it’s the best places to see in South Vietnam, perfect for people travelling, families, and anyone interested in history.

The Soul of the Museum: Must-See Permanent Exhibits

Women in Wartime: Courage Etched in Artifacts

This display includes the uniforms, handwritten diaries, homemade weapons, and prison relics that female soldiers employed during Vietnam’s resistance wars.

We hear the stories of national heroines such as Vo Thi Sau, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, or Nguyen Thi Dinh through the objects they used.

Centerpiece: An interactive 3D war exhibit. Visitors can now explore a variety of war scenes and artifacts using virtual technology.

Women in Wartime (Source: tripadvisor)

The Evolution of Ao Dai: Fashion and Identity

With over 65 ao dai ensembles spanning from 1744 to today, the exhibition charts the evolution of Vietnam’s highly symbolic traditional dress.

Each work reflects the shifts in society, fashion, and women’s roles through different times, particularly during war and recovery. 

The Evolution of Ao Dai (Source: tripadvisor)

Life and Labor: Tools of the Everyday Heroine

More than 350 objects, from cooking pots to weaving implements to farming gear, fill this space.

These inscriptions of ordinary objects offer a glimpse of women’s cultural contributions to family, agriculture, local crafts, and life in general in southern Vietnam.

Women’s Weaving Tools (Source: tripadvisor)

Ethnic Costumes & Jewelry of Southern Vietnam

Featuring over 600 objects in the Khmer, Cham, Hoa, Ta Oi, and other ethnic communities’ styles, this initiative encourages diversity with traditional costumes and accessories.

The materials, patterns, and colors reflect marital status, social roles, and spiritual values, and are often intertwined with folk songs and oral traditions.

Ethnic Costumes of Southern Vietnam (Source: tripadvisor)

The Divine Feminine: Worship of Ba & Spiritual Heritage

This exhibition, however, highlights the spiritual life of Southern women through Ba (soul) worship, a distinctive regional belief.

With shrines, ritual objects, and festival regalia, it emphasizes the role of women as cultural and spiritual keepers in Southern communities.

Rare & Remarkable Collections: What Makes This Museum Unique

Money Collection – Witness to Resistance and History

All of the coins and banknotes featured in this set were made during the Indochina period and the time of the revolution of the Southern Resistance Administrative Committee. Drawn from 23 southern provinces, these were once used in a limited area during wartime.

Some of the notes, such as those written on the former Long Chau Sa area, are no longer found on today’s Vietnamese maps. Such artefacts reveal women’s part in not only the financial framework of the resistance movement (in the way of support, fundraising, and underground logistics), but also in the ‘phantom struggle’ and resistance to the occupation: another face of the contemporary woman of Lebanon. 

Betel & Lime Utensils – A Cultural Symbol of Connection

There are 316 objects, such as a lime pot, a betel tray, an areca nut cutter, and implements made of bronze, ceramic, horn, and shell, reflecting the well-established practice of betel chewing in Vietnamese culture.

These objects were once crucial to getting married, official ceremonies, and everyday communication. At the Southern Vietnam Women Museum, they show how values were preserved among women through daily routines and social customs.

Betel & Lime Utensils (Source: merperlenuisam)

Wine Jars Collection – Spirit and Ritual of the Highlands

The collection of 107 wine jars is from the Central Highlands provinces of Gia Lai, Kon Tum, and Dak Lak. They were used for festivals, ancestral offerings, and community rituals, which were frequently presided over by women in matriarchal ethnic traditions.

The jars held something far more than edible; they conveyed wishes and prayers for survival or good fortune, and they contributed to identity from one generation to another, culturally speaking.

Wine Jars Collection (Sours: vietnamdiscovery)

Gong Collection – Echoes of Intangible Cultural Heritage

Of the 144 gongs in the museum, there are 15 sets of complete gongs, mainly from Vietnam’s ethnic musical repertoire. Gongs are important in both spiritual and social events among highland peoples, in particular.

Gongs, recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage, have been a part of the tradition, with women usually performing, organizing, and maintaining the ceremonial rhythm. 

Books and Publications – A Written Legacy of Vietnamese Women

The Women’s Museum of Southern Vietnam is also an educational institution. Its library features more than 12,000 books, magazines, and documents about the history, accomplishments, and cultural contributions of women.

Also, they have published more than 30 titles such as “Southern Woman as Immortal Heroes” and “Legends of Vietnamese Women.” These books provide deeper knowledge for readers, educators, researchers, and travelers.

Visitor Guide: How to Plan Your Visit

Opening Hours & Admission

The Southern Vietnam Women’s Museum is open every day, split into two sessions:

• Morning: 7:30 AM – 11:30 AM
• Afternoon: 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM

How to Get There

Location: 200–202 Vo Thi Sau Street, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City – a central location within easy reach of downtown.

• By motorbike or private car: Drive down Truong Chinh Street, then Cong Hoa Street, and turn into Vo Thi Sau. You will see the museum on your right.
• By public bus: several lines run near 04, 10, 28, 91, 150, and 152. It’s a cost-effective and local way to see the city. 
• By taxi or ride-hailing apps: Use companies like Xanh SM – Vietnam’s first electric taxi company – for a silent and eco-friendly ride. You can also get a Grab or ride with traditional taxis such as Mai Linh and Vinasun. 

Travel Tips for a Smooth Visit

To ensure a respectful and enjoyable visit, here are a few helpful tips:

• Dress modestly: As the museum draws heavily on cultural and historical values, cover up in respectful clothing.
• No-touch policy: Please refrain from touching artifacts or leaning on display cases. A lot of these things are original and irreplaceable.
• Engage with the 3D experience: Experience the museum’s interactive 3D and virtual reality exhibits, particularly in the wartime exhibit. It’s a fabulous way to learn with splendid visual immersion.
• Best time to visit: Morning light is softer (good for photos), and the crowds are thin, particularly on weekdays.

Dress Modestly When Visiting Museums (Source: ivivu)

Half-Day Cultural Walking Tour from the Southern Vietnam Women Museum

8:30 AM – Start at the Southern Vietnam Women Museum

Start at 200–202 Vo Thi Sau Street, District 3. Southern Vietnam Women Museum opens early and offers a quiet atmosphere through its overwhelming displays on women during wartime, in spiritual life, and daily life. Check out rare collections of such things as ancient money, gongs, and traditional attire. Be sure not to miss the 3D interactive room, which offers a contemporary view of history. With a Southern Vietnam Women’s museum entrance fee of zero dollars, it is a must-see for cultural site fans in southern Vietnam. 

• Distance to next stop: 900m – approx. 10-minute walk

9:45 AM – Visit the War Remnants Museum

Just head straight down Vo Van Tan Street, and you’ll end up at the War Remnants Museum. This museum offers a different perspective on war impact, through photography, weaponry, and with voices from around the world telling the stories. It’s a counterpoint to the more personal, community-centric narratives in the Southern Vietnam Women’s Museum building.

• Distance to next stop: 650m – approx. 8 minutes walk

11:00 AM – Discover the Independence Palace

Turn right onto Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street from Le Quy Don. Arrive at the Independence Palace, the former palace of South Vietnam’s President. Stroll through the marble halls and subterranean command rooms where national history was altered. That contrast between this male-dominated seat of power and the voices inside the women’s museum of southern Vietnam is powerful.

• Distance to next stop: 700m – approx. 9 minutes walk

12:15 PM – Lunch at Chi Hoa Vietnamese Restaurant

Time to recharge! Stroll a few blocks to Chi Hoa (31A Le Quy Don Street) – a favorite haunt known for true eats like braised-pork comfort food, fresh rolls, and herbal soups. The setting is typical, clean, and ideal for travellers looking for a local experience.

• Distance to next stop: 800m – approx. 10-minute walk

1:15 PM – Snap photos at Notre Dame Cathedral

Keep walking along Le Quy Don until you arrive at the Cong Xa Paris Roundabout. With its red bricks and twin bell towers, the Notre Dame Cathedral is still one of the last colonial buildings remaining in central Saigon. Sit at the small park, snap some photos, enjoy the serenely tranquil atmosphere, and then go on to your last destination. 

• Distance to next stop: 350m – approx. 5-minute walk

1:45 PM – Final stop: HCMC Opera House

Further up Dong Khoi Street is the chic Ho Chi Minh City Opera House. You can appreciate its architecture from the outside, or consult the schedule for cultural performances. It’s an elegant and inspiring end to your half-day cultural circuit, all within reach from the Southern Vietnam Women Museum.

Discover The Independence Palace (Source: merperlenuisam)

Plan Your Cultural Adventure with Impress Travel

If you have an interest in the tales at the Southern Vietnam Women Museum? Why not get our help to make the most of it in another way with the best experts in Travel at Impress Travel? Whether you’re planning your own southern Vietnam itinerary, checking out the top historical sites in Ho Chi Minh City, or looking for some secret places to see in South Vietnam, we’ve got you sorted every step of the way.

Specializing in crafted tours tailored to specific interests, from classical heritage to outdoor adventure and sustainable tours, Impress Travel (part of the Viet An Service Group) is a 15-year-old travel company with a team of multilingual and enthusiastic members spread throughout Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar. We take care of all your logistics from your first question until the last day of your travel.

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

Desire to enter the Southern Vietnam Women’s museum building, behold its unique artifacts, and pair it with a broader cultural schedule? Let our experts design your personalized trip, built just for you and your special kids. There is no Southern Vietnam women’s museum entrance fee, and with tons of nearby attractions around, this is the spot to start your travel story across Vietnam.

Conclusion

More than a museum, the Southern Vietnam Women Museum is a living testament to the bravery, resourcefulness, and spirit of Southern Vietnam women. Free of a Southern Vietnam Women’s Museum entrance fee, this significant stop is an opportunity for all travellers to reflect, relate, and take these stories with them. If you’re planning to travel to southern Vietnam and are wondering what to see in southern Vietnam, put this at the top of the list of places to see in South Vietnam.