Top 7 Best Museums in Ho Chi Minh for Families
1. War Remnants Museum – District 3
- Address: 28 Vo Van Tan Street, Ward 6, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening hours: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM (daily)
- Ticket price: 40,000 VND (Adults), Free for children under 6
It’s for sure one of the best museums in Ho Chi Minh, especially for families with older children who are eager to get their head around the true impact of the Vietnam War. Outside, younger visitors can marvel at the giant U.S. aircraft, tanks, and helicopters. There’s also a shaded courtyard, complete with seating and a tiny café.
Inside, the exhibits are powerful. The museum’s second floor, meanwhile, carries some of the most emotionally crushing exhibits, including Agent Orange and War Crimes rooms recommended for older children or teens because of graphic content (which is walled off and easily avoidable). The museum’s other galleries are a more worthwhile exploration.
- What kids like: Life-size military vehicles, wide-open outdoor space
- What parents appreciate: Bilingual education panels, historical depth
- Facilities: Elevators, bathrooms on each floor, a coffee shop
- Nearby eats: Cafes around Vo Van Tan Street, near Independence Palace, Southern Women’s Museum
- Pro tip: Take the older kids and let them use the audio guide (it will give them a deeper appreciation for their visit).
War Remnants Museum (Source: vov)
2. Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts – District 1
- Address: 97A Pho Duc Chinh Street, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (daily)
- Ticket price: 30,000 VND (Adults), 15,000 VND (Students), Free for children under 6
Housed in a stately colonial mansion, this art museum in Ho Chi Minh is a vivid and creative treasure trove. Within, such gorgeous paintings and sculptures, mystic-looking ceramics, and precious wood carvings – ideal for budding art sprouts!
Children can play art detectives here: hunt for dragons, find the largest painting, or count how many lions are in the statues. Meanwhile, parents can enjoy strolling the open balconies and taking in the building’s design – a peaceful respite from the frenzy of the city.
- What kids love: The bright room, the sculptures with silly faces, the scavenger hunt fun
- What parents appreciate: History, culture, artistic quiet
- Facilities: Small air-conditioning, covered courtyard, bathrooms in each building
- Nearby eats: A short walk to Ben Thanh Market, Dong Khoi, and casual eats of Vietnamese variety
- Pro tip: Don’t miss the “national treasure” rooms – they are air-conditioned and host Vietnam’s most treasured pieces
Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts (Source: tripadvisor)
3. Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine (FITO Museum) – District 10
- Address: 41 Hoang Du Khuong Street, Ward 12, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening hours: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (daily)
- Ticket price: 180,000 VND (Adults), 90,000 VND (Students/Children under 15)
One of the best museums to visit in Ho Chi Minh City, this hidden gem is often referred to as one of the most unusual. Themed on traditional Vietnamese medicine, it has a magical feel to it with its herbs, old apothecary jars, and intricate wooden carved interiors.
Children will marvel over “strange and wonderful” exhibits – goopy things in jars, medicinal contraptions, and strange drawers packed with dried roots. Parents will be charmed by the space, and everyone will take away something new about the country’s healing traditions.
- What kids love: Jars, herby smells, hand tools
- What parents appreciate: Guided storytime, peace and quietckillWhat parents like: Guided storytime, peace
- Facilities: Air-conditioned video room, elevator, clean bathrooms
- Nearby eats: Local food joints, Vietnamese tea houses, or go to cafés in District 3
- Pro tip: Have your kids try grinding herbs on the 5th floor – it’s a hands-on cultural moment!
Don’t be put off by the distance – It’s a quick Grab ride away and one of the best museums in Ho Chi Minh that you must visit.
Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine (Source: localvietnam)
4. Southern Women’s Museum – District 3
- Address: 202 Vo Thi Sau Street, Ward 7, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening hours: 7:30 AM – 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM (closed Mondays
- Ticket price: Free (Donations welcome)
Home to the incredible tales of southern Vietnamese women, but it is unsung compared to the Best Museums in Ho Chi Minh. From the flowing ao dai dresses to the family heirlooms to the powerful wartime portraits, it’s a place where culture, resilience, and femininity come to light.
The quiet ambience also makes it perfect for families looking for a more relaxed, contemplative museum visit. For parents: Adults can help children learn about gender roles in Vietnamese history; for kids: Kids can gawk at traditional clothing and personal keepsakes from a very different era.
- What kids love: Brightly colored clothes, old cooking utensils, story-type exhibits
- What parents appreciate: Depth of culture, respect for storytelling
- Facilities: Calm and air-conditioned galleries; Restrooms at disposal
- Nearby eats: Local noodle shops and bakeries on Vo Thi Sau
- Pro tip: Pair this visit with the close by War Remnants Museum for a more complete story of South Vietnamese history
Southern Women’s Museum (Source: tripadvisor)
5. 3D Artinus Museum – District 7
- Address: 2-4 Street No. 9, Him Lam, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (daily)
- Ticket price: 250,000 VND (Adults), 200,000 VND (Children 90-130 cm), Free for kids under 90 cm
This dish is sure to be a hit with the kiddos – and, let’s be honest, adults. In the 3D Artinus Museum, you’ll be transformed into part of the artwork, surrounded by hundreds of 3D immersive backdrops and optical illusions spread over various themed rooms. If you’re looking for the most Instagrammable of the best museums in Ho Chi Minh City, this is the place for you.
Every room is themed: underwater worlds, Egyptian tombs, giants and monsters, and the like. Children can pose alongside sharks, hang from volcanoes, or play the role of something being eaten by a dinosaur!
- What kids love: No two rooms are the same; constant action and imagination
- What parents appreciate: Pure fun, clean facility, makes for great photo albums
- Facilities: Lockers, an on-site café, and toilets are clean and stroller-friendly.
- Nearby eats: Korean BBQ, bubble tea, and fast food in Crescent Mall
- Pro tip: Go at opening or after 4 p.m. for lighter crowds
3D Artinus Museum (Source: 24h)
6. Geological Museum of Vietnam – District 1
- Address: 2 Nguyen Binh Khiem Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening hours: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM, 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM (Monday to Friday only)
- Ticket price: Free
This quiet gem, located in the vicinity of the Ho Chi Minh City Museum and the zoo, is like stepping into a glowing cave of wonders. With innumerable fossils, glistening gemstones, and an abundance of ancient rock samples, it’s a treasure trove for young explorers – and budding scientists in particular.
Children enjoy looking into amethyst geodes or handling actual stone samples. And for parents, it’s a time to broach natural history in a gentle, no-fuss setting.
- What kids love: Crystals, fossils, bones of dinosaurs
- What parents appreciate: Air-conditioned galleries, Educational value
- Features: Clean but small facilities, plain bathrooms
- Nearby eats: Zoo café, lunchtime Vietnamese in Nguyen Binh Khiem
- Pro tip: Perfect to combine with the nearby History Museum or Opera House as a half-day family itinerary
Geological Museum of Vietnam (Source: gtrip)
7. Ao Dai Museum – District 9
- Address: 206/19/30 Long Thuan Street, Long Phuoc Ward, District 9, Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening hours: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (daily)
- Ticket price: 100,000 VND (Adults), 50,000 VND (Children)
Nestled within an exotic riverside garden, the Ao Dai Museum is so much more than a museum – it’s a cultural oasis. Created by iconic designer Si Hoang, this website celebrates Vietnam’s national dress through centuries of design and meaning.
Families can stroll through traditional wooden houses filled with ao dai of all styles, wander around in the peaceful grounds, and even get dressed in silk robes for photo opportunities. It is one of the best museums in Ho Chi Minh for families if you are looking for beauty, nature, and history in one fell swoop. Kids will love: dress-up play, open green space.
- What kids love: dress-up play, open green space
- What parents appreciate: Cultural depth, stunning architecture, photo opportunities
- Facilities: Picturesque rest areas, clothes rental, neat restrooms
- Nearby eats: Garden cafés and noodle shops on Long Thuan Street
- Pro tip: Head there in the morning, then do a picnic by the river.
Ao Dai Museum (Source: localvietnam)
What Makes a Museum Kid-Friendly in Ho Chi Minh City?
Before we get to the Best Museums in Ho Chi Minh, here’s some background on what sets a museum apart as being family-friendly. The top picks in Ho Chi Minh City deliver more than just displays; they create interactive visual experiences that spark the curiosity of children and offer heartening respite for parents. Imagine outdoor tanks at the War Remnants Museum, colorful illusions at the 3D Artinus Museum, or attending herbal workshops at the Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine. Details such as clean restrooms, air-conditioning, stroller access, and even signs in English can be very handy and help you have a smooth visit at places like the Fine Art Museum and the Chi Minh City Museum in particular.
Parents also love the safe and nurturing space where learning and play are one and the same. Whether gazing upon paintings and sculptures at an art museum in Ho Chi Minh City or diving into the legacy of southern Vietnamese women at the Southern Women’s Museum, such spaces allow children to develop a nuanced means of engaging with local history and culture and not feel bombarded. For more well-mapped out stop-offs and snack attack places, check out our family-friendly itinerary in highlights Ho Chi Minh City, where your tour of the best museums in Ho Chi Minh City starts.
Practical Tips for Families Visiting Museums in Ho Chi Minh
Best Time to Visit
It’s all about timing, particularly in a city that sparkles 365 days a year.
- The dry season (December through April) is good for walking from nearby sights such as the War Remnants Museum, the Southern Women’s Museum, and the Ho Chi Minh City Museum. Anticipate blue skies and additional visitors – come early morning (8-9 AM) to avoid the heat and crush of visitors altogether.
- The rainy season (May to November) means it might shower in the afternoons, but fear not – all the museums in Ho Chi Minh are completely indoors, making them excellent rain shelters. Just carry an umbrella or a lightweight poncho for travel after the visit.
Organizing your day around weather and crowd patterns means you’ll have smoother visits, particularly if you’re hitting multiple spots from our guide to the Best Museums in Ho Chi Minh.
What to Pack for a Family Day Out
Visiting a museum in Ho Chi Minh City isn’t just about the exhibits – it’s about making sure everyone is cozy and entertained in the process. Here’s on-the-ground advice from families who have traveled before, with experience from both the successful trips and a few less so.
Here’s what experienced families recommend bringing:
- Water bottles (lots of museums allow them, it’s just all that sugar you’re trying to avoid)
- Portable fan or mini towel for hot galleries (like the Fine Art Museum)
- Sun hats & sunscreen – especially when visiting the outdoor portions, such as those at the Ao Dai Museum.
- Kids snacks (not something messy or smelly, bananas and crackers work well)
- Wipes or hand sanitizer – museums with interactive exhibits (such as the Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine) could mean touchpoints
- A small camera or a (charged) phone – You’ll want some great photos at the 3D Artinus Museum or among the paintings and sculptures at other destinations.
Conclusion
Visiting the Best Museums in Ho Chi Minh. Although the Best Museums in Ho Chi Minh are not as numerous as those in Hanoi, the capital, there is still plenty to offer. These are cultural spaces that can make family outings into engaging experiences, mixing history, art, and storytelling in ways that young children will retain. For more inspiration and easy planning, be sure to also check our complete guide to highlights Ho Chi Minh City – your definitive starting point to explore the best museums in Ho Chi Minh City with love and intention.