Vietnamese Women’s Museum - A must-see museum about women of Vietnam

Never have tourists thought that they would come to a country to learn about its feminist culture, but the Vietnamese Women’s Museum offers them this opportunity in Vietnam. With thousands of rare artifacts, the Vietnamese Women’s Museum brings forth the untold stories of Vietnamese women, from their unforgettable roles in history to the country’s untiring effort to protect and humanize them. Come to the first women's museum in Vietnam to learn the lessons of appreciating women, especially the women of Vietnam.

The origin of Vietnamese first Women’s Museum 

History of Vietnamese Women’s Union and Vietnamese Women’s museum 

Vietnam’s feminism is deeply attached to its politics. Since the women of Vietnam, a large part of Vietnam’s population was represented by the Vietnamese Women’s Union (VWU),  naturally, it becomes one of the most powerful organizations in the country. In 1987, to enhance Vietnamese’s knowledge about Vietnam’s women, their social roles, and legal rights, Vietnam Women’s Union officially opens the first women's museum of Vietnam.

Purpose of the women museum of Vietnam

With almost 25,000 artifacts featuring historical relics and vibrant collections of traditional fashion, the Vietnamese Women’s Museum tells stories of North to South Vietnamese women’s daily life and their unforgettable contribution to Vietnam’s history and modern society. 

Not only has it gained a reputation in Vietnam, but in 2014, the North Vietnamese Women’s Museum was also voted one of the 25 most attractive museums in Asia by Tripadvisor. What exactly pulled tourists to this particular museum?

Why Vietnam Women’s Museum is among the 25 most attractive museums in Asia

A history and art museum designed with passions

According to visitors’ review, the exhibition design of the Vietnamese Women’s Museum is very different from other museums in Hanoi.  The exhibition is said to be diverse but not too large so that foreign tourists can explore on their own without a tour guide. 

The permanent exhibition is separated clearly into three main themes: Women in Family, Women in History, and Women’s Fashion. Each of these themes holds very unique artifacts. For instance, “Women in Family” covers the “cycle of a woman’s life”, with three aspects, marriage, pregnancy, and childbirth, which are displays of ancient birth control methods, along with Vietnam’s traditional ideas about child-rearing. Right next to these exhibitions are colorful examples of South Vietnamese women’s fashion and beauty. Such contrast makes the museum a harmonious combination of an art museum, a  history museum, and a cultural museum. 

Amazing stories of women in history

In its Women in History exhibition, Vietnam Women’s Museum tells the untold stories of Vietnamese women’s sacrifices in wars. From moral support to actual female warriors, the Vietnamese Women’s Museum writes a true history book of women. 

Besides this, the museum also addresses real, current social issues. Issues such as the danger of childbirth are still huge problems in Vietnam. By educating visitors about these topics, the museum not only offers a very interesting sociological perspective but also contributes to the solution of such problems.

One of the most educational museums in Hanoi

In addition to being a great museum as customers’ review has praised, North Vietnamese Women’s Museum is also an educational institution. Similar to other museums, Vietnam Women’s Museum also has a “Discover Room”- an exclusive institution to educate young children about sex and gender. Children’s most burning questions about sex and gender, for instance, “How was I born?” or “How are boys and girls different?” will be explained here.

These educational programs are a part of the Vietnamese Women’s Union’s effort towards gender equality in Vietnam. Because of their reputation in education, the museum also takes care of many school trips, and sometimes, even brings their mobile exhibitions to primary schools in Hanoi!

Must-know information about Vietnamese Women’s Museum?

Here is some information you might need before coming to the Vietnamese Women’s Museum, including entrance fees, opening hours, and more.

• Vietnamese Women’s Museum’s entrance fee:  40,000 VND/adult and 10,000 VND/ children (6-16 years old).
• Vietnamese Women’s Museum’s opening hours: 8 A.M - 5 P.M, Monday to Sunday
• Address: Number 36 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

With its meaningful and beautifully designed exhibition, North Vietnamese Women’s Museum is one of the best museums in Asia. Come here to appreciate women of the world, and especially women of Vietnam with their beautiful characteristics.