(VOVWORLD) - Ho Chi Minh City has 17 museums, of which 6 are privately owned. Each museum focuses on a single theme, such as history, fine arts, war, ao dai (traditional long dress), or women. These thriving museums link cultural heritages to the community.
 Artifacts on display at the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History (Photo: Vu Huong/VOV) |
Le Thi Ha, a first-year student at Hung Vuong University, said her trip to the Ho Chi Minh City History Museum was her first time visiting a museum in the city. Before that, she had only seen the museum on social media and heard about it from friends.
“I noticed that the exhibits are arranged by historical period, with the more recent ones increasingly detailed. I found the museum much larger and more impressive in person than I had expected,” said Ha.
Nguyen Khac Xuan Thi, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City History Museum, said the museum has 44,000 artifacts spanning prehistoric times to the Nguyen dynasty, which ended in 1945. They include many cultural items from southern ethnic groups and other Asian countries.
In addition to using technology to manage the artifacts, the museum has enhanced the visitor experience by installing touch screens and QR codes in the exhibit areas, which allow visitors to explore the displays in greater depth. The museum plans to launch an audio guide system to its 18 exhibition rooms in Vietnamese and English. According to Thi, social media platforms are now being used to communicate with younger people.
"On its 45th founding anniversary, the museum introduced a new online brand identity, which was well-received by the public, especially young people. It once drew over 2 million interactions a month," he said.
 The Ho Chi Minh City History Museum provides detailed information about the artifacts and historical periods. (Photo: Vu Huong/ VOV) |
Private museums in Ho Chi Minh City are also making a significant contribution to preserving and promoting cultural values. Museums that have large collections of rare and unique artifacts are the Vietnamese Ao Dai Museum, the Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine, the Do Hung Museum, the Museum of Sai Gon commandos.
The Ao Dai Museum, founded by designer Si Hoang, displays ao dai from their first appearance up to today. It combines museum tours with city sightseeing tours and other tourist activities.
Ho Chi Minh City recently added two new private museums under the Do Hung Museum system – the Museum of Jewelry of Vietnam’s 54 Ethnic Groups and the Nguyen Dynasty Imperial Museum.
The Museum of Jewelry of Vietnam’s 54 Ethnic Groups houses ancient jewelry and traditional costumes that reveal the aesthetics, beliefs, and customs of ethnic groups over the past 2,500 years.
The Nguyen Dynasty Imperial Museum displays precious antiques that belonged to the 13 Nguyen kings, including personal items, ceremonial garments, and official objects.
Dr. Phan Thanh Hai, Director of Thua Thien-Hue province’s Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, said he was really amazed by the extensive collection of costumes and jewelry from all 54 ethnic groups. “These artifacts showcase the unique cultural values of each group, with the jewelry items in particular demonstrating the remarkable craftsmanship and creativity of the artisans.”
Le Tu Cam, Chairwoman of the municipal Cultural Heritage Association, said, “The museums in Ho Chi Minh City have made notable contributions to preserving and promoting the city’s cultural heritage.”