Vietnam Military History Museum: Marking a heroic history

The Vietnam Military History Museum is a special destination for those who want to deeply understand the military history and patriotism of the Vietnamese people. With thousands of precious artifacts preserved, this place is a living historical treasure, recreating the heroic periods in the cause of protecting the country.

If you are planning to visit, let's find out everything from opening hours, exhibition areas to the important historical significance of the Vietnam Military History Museum with Traveloka!

Brief introduction to the Vietnam Military History Museum

Address, opening hours and ticket prices

For those who don't know, the Vietnam Military History Museum is located in Hanoi at 28A Dien Bien Phu, Ba Dinh District and is built right next to the Hanoi Flag Tower - a long-standing historical and cultural symbol of the Capital.

With a prime location near Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Thang Long Imperial Citadel, the Vietnam Military History Museum is an easily accessible attraction for both domestic and international visitors.

Afternoon: 13:00 – 16:30
(Weekdays except Monday and Friday every week).

From November 1, 2024 , the Vietnam Military History Museum will officially open to welcome and serve visitors and will be free of charge until the end of December 2024. Therefore, the current ticket price is still free. Remember to note the time frame and take advantage of visiting this place when you have the chance.

Traveloka will update you when there is an official announcement about ticket prices to visit the Vietnam Military History Museum for 2025.

Vietnam Military History Museum | Source Shutterstock

Introducing the exhibition areas of the Vietnam Military History Museum

The Vietnam Military History Museum is a special cultural and historical project, invested in and built by the Ministry of National Defense in Tay Mo and Dai Mo wards, Nam Tu Liem district, Hanoi, since 2019. With a large campus area of up to 386,600m², this museum not only has a modern appearance but also preserves and honors historical values. The main building of the museum consists of 4 floors above ground and 1 ground floor, with a total construction area of 23,198m² and a floor area of up to 64,640m². The architectural highlight is the 45m high Victory Tower, a proud symbol of the nation's indomitable fighting spirit.

Currently, the museum is preserving more than 150,000 valuable artifacts, including 4 national treasures, truly reflecting the glorious historical journeys of the Vietnamese army. With the role of not only a place to preserve history, the museum is also a place to attract tourists, arouse patriotism and national pride in the young generation, contributing to spreading historical values in the community.

The Vietnam Military History Museum is one of six national museums and is the leading museum in the system of museums in the Army.

Outdoor display area

Victory Tower of the Vietnam Military History Museum. | Source: People's Army Newspaper

The museum area stands out with the Victory Tower area and the 45m high front yard with 4 museum blocks including 4 floors above ground and 1 ground floor with a construction area of up to 23,198m2.

At the outdoor exhibition area of the Vietnam Military History Museum, visitors will have the opportunity to explore a variety of large military weapons and vehicles, from 85mm guns, 57mm anti-aircraft guns to PT67 tank number 555. Other prominent artifacts include MiG 17 aircraft (number 2047), SU22, and M-107 self-propelled gun nicknamed “King of the battlefield”.

The exterior display area of the Vietnam Military History Museum | Source: People's Army Newspaper

In particular, this place also preserves the types of aircraft the US military used during the Vietnam War, such as A37, F5E, CH47, C130, along with dozens of types of bombs and many other war equipment. Each artifact is not only original but also contains a heroic historical story, clearly demonstrating the resilience and creativity of the Vietnamese army and people through the periods of struggle.

Indoor display area

The indoor area includes a system of scientifically arranged galleries, recreating historical periods. The Vietnam Military History Museum depicts 6 important historical themes, each theme opens a chapter in the journey of building and defending the country of the Vietnamese people.

Thematic exhibitions of the Vietnam Military History Museum | Source: People's Army Newspaper

Topic 1 : "The beginning of building and defending the country" introduces the first stages in history, when the Hung Kings built the foundation for the nation.
Theme 2 : "Protecting independence from 939 to 1858" recreates the fight against invasions from the North, protecting the nation's independence.
Topic 3 : "Fighting against French colonialism, gaining national independence from 1858 to 1945" marks the heroic resistance wars, starting with the war against France, ending with the victory of Dien Bien Phu.
Topic 4 : "Resistance against French colonial invasion, 1945-1954" describes resounding feats of arms, associated with historical victories such as the Dien Bien Phu campaign.
Topic 5 : "The resistance war against America from 1954 to 1975" recreates the difficult period, with the glorious victory of our army and people in the war against America.

Topic 6 : "Building and defending the country from 1976 to the present" reflects the reconstruction and development of the country after peace was restored, while facing new challenges.

Each theme in the museum not only provides insight into historical periods but also honors the sacrifices and contributions of many generations, giving visitors unforgettable experiences.

The interior area of the Vietnam Military History Museum

The interior of the Vietnam Military History Museum | Source Shutterstock

Thematic exhibition area

The museum’s thematic exhibition areas are not only a place to preserve historical values but also a creative space where heroic stories are recreated through works of art. In addition to the permanent exhibition areas, the museum regularly organizes thematic exhibitions to honor important historical events and typical military figures. These exhibitions provide a fresh and profound perspective on military history, contributing to enriching the knowledge and emotions of viewers.

Within the framework of the campaign to create fine arts on the theme of the Armed Forces and Revolutionary War in the period of 2019-2024, this year the museum has selected and introduced 200 excellent works at the exhibition. The works include 150 paintings, 20 graphic works and 30 sculptures, created by 193 authors from all over the country.

Precious documentary images of the Vietnam Military History Museum | Source: People's Army Newspaper

Each work is a profound voice, recreating the heroic tradition of fighting to defend the country of the Vietnamese people, praising the patriotism, fighting spirit and sacrifice to protect the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Fatherland. The works are not only a testament to artistic talent but also an endless source of inspiration, reminding today's and future generations of patriotism, indomitable will and national pride.

Historical significance

The museum is not only a place to preserve artifacts, but also a story about the patriotism, indomitable will and sacrifice of many generations of Vietnamese people. Each artifact, from an old gun to a faded photo, carries with it a touching story about the determination to protect the nation’s sovereignty, freedom and peace. This is a destination that helps young generations absorb heroic traditions and add to their national pride.

For more information about the Museum, visitors can see the following article by Traveloka:

Unique architecture of the Vietnam Military History Museum | Source: People's Army Newspaper

The ideal time to visit the Vietnam Military History Museum

The Vietnam Military History Museum, located in the heart of Hanoi, is an ideal destination for those who love to learn about the country's military history and culture. The best time to explore this museum is from September to October or from February to April, when Hanoi enters autumn and spring with cool weather, light sunshine and fresh air. This is the perfect time for you to visit the diverse exhibition areas in the museum and take a walk outdoors to admire the Hanoi Flag Tower - a historical symbol associated with the museum.

During your journey of discovery, do not forget to bring a travel guide so that you can easily learn about interesting artifacts and information here. With profound cultural and historical values, the Vietnam Military History Museum is not only a place to preserve valuable artifacts but also a memorable stop on your journey to explore the Capital.

Experience visiting the Vietnam Military History Museum

To fully explore the Vietnam Military History Museum, visitors should refer to some of the following experiences to be able to plan a suitable trip:

The ideal time to visit the Vietnam Military History Museum is on weekday mornings, from 8:00 – 10:00, when the space is still quiet and not too crowded, making it easy for you to admire the artifacts and take photos.

Regarding clothing, you should choose polite, comfortable clothes and wear low shoes for easy movement. Don't forget to bring a camera or phone with enough capacity to record memorable images. If you are a history lover, a small notebook and pen will be very useful to record information or feelings when exploring valuable artifacts here.

In addition, to have the best sightseeing experience, you can also combine participating in cultural activities and exploring other prominent places in Hanoi introduced by Traveloka below, making the trip more rich and meaningful:

Especially when coming to the Vietnam Military History Museum, visitors should have the following interesting experiences, to give you a deep understanding of the heroic history of the Vietnamese people:

1. Admire the outdoor exhibits : The outdoor exhibition area features large-scale military exhibits such as MIG-21 aircraft, T-54B tanks and anti-aircraft guns from the resistance period. This is a great opportunity to see with your own eyes the vehicles that contributed to historic victories.

2. Explore the thematic galleries : Each gallery represents an important historical period, from the early days of the nation's founding to the resistance against the US. Visitors can learn more about each event through valuable artifacts, images and documents.

3. Take a photo with Hanoi Flag Tower : Located right in the museum grounds, Hanoi Flag Tower is a historical symbol of the capital. This is not only an architectural highlight but also an ideal place to take souvenir photos.