Museum of Ethnology

Vietnam has fifty-four recognised ethnic groups and this is the museum of all of them: the objects inside, and outside in the garden, full-size houses moved or rebuilt by the communities that use them. A Bahnar communal house with a roof nearly twenty metres high, an Ede longhouse you climb into, a Hmong house, a Cham house, tombs from the central highlands.

It is generally reckoned the best-made museum in the country, and it is seven kilometres from the Old Quarter, which is why most visitors never go.

What it costs

Ticketed, modestly, with a separate small charge for photography at some times. Closed one day a week — check before you make the journey out.

When to go

Give it a half-day and go in dry weather: the outdoor half is the better half and there is no shelter between the houses. Water-puppet performances run in the grounds at weekends.

Getting there

Nguyen Van Huyen street in Cau Giay, about twenty minutes by car from the Old Quarter. ⚠️ This is the one sight on this site that is not walkable — take a ride-hailing car both ways and do not plan to pick one up at the door in the rain.

If you only have an hour

An hour is not enough, but if it is all you have: skip the indoor galleries and walk the garden. The buildings are the collection.

What people get wrong

⚠️ People cut it for being far out and regret it. If you are choosing between this and a second temple, come here.