Bảo tàng lịch sử Quốc gia

Discovery

Highlights

National Treasure: The Statue of the Goddess Durga
The Vietnam National Museum of History hosts Training Workshop on Trehalose Conservation for Waterlogged Artifacts
Free Admission on International Museum Day (18 May)
The Vietnam National Museum of History hosts a working session with delegation from the Korea Heritage Service
ANNOUNCEMENT: Opening Hours during Hung Kings’ Commemoration Day, Reunification Day (30 April), and International Labor Day (1 May)

The Vietnam National Museum of History hosts Training Workshop on Trehalose Conservation for Waterlogged Artifacts

09/07/2026 10:05
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On July 1-2, 2026, the Vietnam National Museum of History (VNMH) in collaboration with Da Lat University and Japanese conservation experts, organized a professional training workshop on the conservation of waterlogged wooden artifacts by the Trehalose method. The workshop serves as an important preparation for the project "Conservation of Ancient Waterlogged Boat in Vietnam by the Trehalose Method", while promoting the application of advanced conservation technologies for Vietnam's cultural heritage.

Museums go digital to survive pandemic

11/08/2021 19:21
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Tourists enjoy an audio guide for exploring the Đà Nẵng Chăm Sculpture Museum before coronavirus hit the city. Digitalisation and virtual exhibitions are seen as a safe solution for museums to survive the pandemic. Photo courtesy of Lý Hòa Bình

The Vietnam National Museum of History participates in the International Conference in Kunming, China

24/12/2025 10:30
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From December 12 to 14, 2025, a representative from the Vietnam National Museum of History (VNMH) participated in the 2nd Conference on Human Cultural and Genetic Diversity in Southeast Asia and Southwest China (HUDSEAC), held in Kunming City, Yunnan Province, China.

Discovery

The value of the 1945 - 1975 propaganda painting collection of the Vietnam National Museum of History

07/09/2021 00:24
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1. An overview of propaganda paintings

Anniversary of Bac Son revolt (September 27th 1940 – September 27th2012)

26/05/2018 05:51
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72 years ago, in September, 1940, the Communist Party in Bac Son District launched a revolt to gain authority from the French, attack the French stations and armed units and establish the Vietnamese armed force while the French government collapsed after the Japanese invasion in Indochina.

Nguyen Trai - a national hero, world cultural celebrity (1380 - 1442)

12/12/2017 00:00
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Nguyễn Trãi, also known under his style name Ức Trai (1380–1442) was from Chi Ngại village, Phượng Sơn district, Lạng Giang (now Chí Linh, Hải Dương Province). His father was Nguyễn Ứng Long (Nguyễn Phi Khanh), a Confucian scholar and mother Trần Thị Thái, daughter of high ranking mandarin Trần Nguyên Đán of Tran dynasty.

National Treasure: The Statue of the Goddess Durga

13/07/2026 10:53
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Among the artifacts recognized as National Treasures in 2025, the Vietnam National Museum of History (VNMH) nominated two outstanding objects. One of them is the Statue of the goddess Durga, an exceptional bronze sculpture repatriated to Vietnam under the provisions of the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property.

Bones found on Isle of Wight may be from Europe’s biggest predator dinosaur

15/06/2022 10:08
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Remains suggest spinosaur, a crocodile-faced hunter, measured over 10 metres from snout to tail

The vitality of Dong Son

21/02/2019 15:50
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In the proto-historical time, on today S-shaped land of Vietnam, there were three brilliant archaeological cultures: Dong Son, Sa Huynh, Oc Eo. They were three cultural transmitting centers in Southeast Asia and beyond. Among these centers, in my point of view, Dong Son culture is more pervasive both in space and time. In terms of space, there have been many monographs mentioning the effects of Dong Son culture on contemporary cultures. In terms of time, however, there is almost no research that explains the nature of the preservation of Dong Son elements in the national cultural flow. In this article, I am going to show the effects of Dong Son art in the post-Dong Son periods in Vietnam. At the same time, I also analyze the geo-political and geo-cultural context that made Dong Son a long-lasting vitality in the Vietnamese cultural tradition.

Trưng bày chuyên đề “Vũ khúc Thiền môn - Nghệ thuật Phật giáo thời Lý: Di sản và Công nghệ”

Hand Axe Stone. Paleolithic, around 400.000-300.000 years before present. Nui Đo site, Thieu Hoa District, Thanh Hoa Province (Vietnam National Museum of History)

Unfinished stone axes Stone. 5.000 - 4.000 years before present Collected in Nui Voi site, Dong Son district, Thanh Hoa province (Vietnam National Museum of History)

Zhang (Scepter) Nephrite. Phung Nguyen culture, 4.000 - 3.500 years before present (1) Phung Nguyen site, Phu Tho province (2-4) Xom Ren site, Phu Tho province (Hung Vuong Museum)

Vessel Pottery. Phung Nguyen culture, 4.000 - 3.500 years before present Xom Ren site, Phu Tho province (Hung Vuong Museum)

Sao Vang bronze drum Bronze. Dongson culture, 2.500 - 2.000 years before present Sao Vang town, Tho Xuan district, Thanh Hoa province (Vietnam National Museum of History)

Phu Phuong I bronze drum Bronze. Dongson culture, 2.500 - 2.000 years before present Found in Phu Phuong commune, Ba Vi district, Hanoi, in 1973 (Hanoi Museum)

Ploughs Bronze. Dongson culture, 2.500 - 2.000 years before present Co Loa site, Dong Anh district, Hanoi (Hanoi Museum)

Arrow heads Bronze. Dongson culture, 2.500 - 2.000 years before present Co Loa site, Dong Anh district, Hanoi (Vietnam National Museum of History)

Arrow-head casting moulds Stone. Dongson culture, 2.500 - 2.000 years before present Co Loa site, Dong Anh district, Hanoi (Thang Long- Hanoi Heritage Conservation Centre)

Fragments of bronze drum casting mould and crucible 1.800 - 1.600 years before present Excavated in Luy Lau ancient citadel, Bac Ninh province in 2014 (Vietnam National Museum of History)

Jar coffin Pottery. Sa Huynh culture, 2.500 - 2000 years before present Dong Cuom site, Binh Dinh province (Vietnam National Museum of History)

Lamp Pottery. Sa Huynh culture, 2.500 - 2000 years before present Hoa Diem site, Khanh Hoa province (Vietnam National Museum of History)

Ornaments: Bracelet (1), Two-animal-headed earrings (2), Beads (3) Glass, jade, gold. Dong Nai culture, 2.500 - 2.000 years before present Giong Ca Vo sites, Can Gio district, Ho Chi Minh city (Vietnam National Museum of History)

Miniature cooking stove and miniature pot Pottery. Dong Nai culture, 2.500 - 2.000 years before present Giong Ca Vo site, Can Gio district, Ho Chi Minh city (Vietnam National Museum of History)

High-footed bowl Pottery. Dong Nai culture, 2.500 - 2.000 years before present Go O Chua site, Long An province (Vietnam National Museum of History)

Animal figurine Bronze. Dong Nai culture, 2.500 years before present Doc Chua site, Tan Uyen district, Binh Duong province in 1977 (Binh Duong Museum)

Stone instruments Stone. 3.000 years before present Lien Dam commune, Di Linh district, Lam Dong province (Lam Dong Museum)

Bronze drum, wooden jar Bronze, wood. 2.000 years before present Phu Chanh site, Tan Uyen district, Binh Duong province (Binh Duong Museum)

Weaving tools Wood. 2.000 years before present Phu Chanh site, Tan Uyen district, Binh Duong province (Binh Duong Museum)

Miniature house (Model of house) Earthenware. 1st - 3rd centuries Found in Cau Giay, Hanoi in March 1936 (Vietnam National Museum of History)

Shiva head statue Sandstone. Champa culture, 9th century Dong Duong commune, Thang Binh district, Quang Nam province (Vietnam National Museum of History)

Asura born from Makara’s mouth Sandstone. Champa culture, 10th – 11th centuries Tra Kieu commune, Duy Xuyen district, Quang Nam province (Vietnam National Museum of History)

Shiva Yogi (Shiva in the avatar of an austere monk) Sandstone. Champa culture, 12th – 13th centuries Thap Mam site , Binh Dinh province (Vietnam National Museum of History)

Lion figurine Sandstone. Champa culture, 12th – 13th centuries Thap Mam site, Binh Dinh province (Vietnam National Museum of History)

Gold foil elephants (1), Beads (2) Gold, glass. Champa culture, 13th – 14th centuries Cam Mit site, Da Nang province (Vietnam National Museum of History)

Linga Gold – quartz. 8th – 9th centuries Cat Tien, Lam Dong province (Lam Dong Museum)

Gold foil with decoration 8th - 9th centuries Cat Tien, Lam Dong province (Lam Dong Museum)

Statue depicting the scene Goddess Uma defeating the Mashia Stone, terra-cotta. 8th – 9th centuries Cat Tien, Lam Dong province (Lam Dong Museum)

Statue of Dikpala Stone. Champa culture, 10th – 11th centuries Found near tower group B, My Son, Quang Nam province (My Son Relics and Tourism Management Board)

Relief of Laksmi Terra-cotta. Champa culture, 12th century Found near G1 tower of group G, My Son site, Quảng Nam province (My Son Relics and Tourism Management Board)

Statue of Gajasimha Terra-cotta. Champa culture, 12th century Found near G1 tower of group G, Mỹ Sơn site, Quảng Nam province (My Son Relics and Tourism Management Board)

Gold fragment decorated with Wheel (Chakra), Snail (Sankha) Oc Eo culture, 3rd – 6th centuries Go Thap site, Thap Muoi district, Dong Thap province (Dong Thap Museum)

Statue of Vishnu Sandstone. Oc Eo culture, 6th – 7th centuries Binh Phu site, Tan Hong district, Dong Thap province (Dong Thap Museum)

Phoenix head Terra-cotta. Ly dynasty, 11th – 13th centuries Thang Long imperial citadel, Hanoi (Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Centre)

Lion head Terra-cotta. Ly dynasty, 11th - 13th centuries Collected in Vinh Yen in 1935 (Vietnam National Museum of History)

Temple brick decorated with mythical bird Garuda Terra-cotta. Ly dynasty, 11th - 13th centuries Van Lang, Hanoi (Vietnam National Museum of History)

Jar Brown patterned ceramic. Tran dynasty, 13th – 14th centuries Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Hanoi (Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Centre)

Statue of noble woman Blue and white ceramic inlaid with gold. Early Le dynasty, 15th century Cu Lao Cham shipwreck, Hoi An, Quang Nam province (Vietnam National Museum of History)

Bowl and dish with Chinese characters “Endless Happiness” Blue and White ceramic. Early Le dynasty, 15th century Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Hanoi (Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Centre)

Statues of “ Nghe” ( sacred animal) Bronze. 16th century (Hanoi Museum)

Treasures of Vietnam’s Archaeology

Introducing the permanent exhibition of the Vietnam National Musem of History

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National treasures
Artifacts - Documents

National Treasures: The Việt Khê boat-shaped coffin

The Việt Khê boat-shaped coffin

National Treasures: The Đào Thịnh Jar

The Đào Thịnh Jar

National Treasures: The Hoàng Hạ drum

The Hoàng Hạ drum

National Treasures: The Ngọc Lũ drum

The Ngọc Lũ drum

Vietnam state treasure: Bell of Van Ban pagoda

A bronze bell was found by local fishermen on a summer morning 1958, in coastal area of Do Son port.

National treasure: Statue of two men, one of them plays pipe sitting on the back of other

There is not a random case when 2 bronze drums and 2 bronze statues of Dong Son culture were assigned the title of National Treasure in 1st review among 30 other artifacts. Bronze drums Ngoc Lu and Hoang Ha are quite famous so there is no need to advertise them more, Lach Truong bronze lamp is also deservedly a National Treasure and there are a lot of articles about it. So what about the rest statue?

Vietnam National Treasure: Sảnh Môn Hạ Seal

Sanh Mon Ha Seal is one of 30 representative museum pieces that have been recognized by the prime minister as national treasures in first review by the decision 1426/QĐTTg on October 1th 2012. The name of the seal sounds as pronunciation of 4 Chinese characters of seal style in the face of the seal.

National Treasure: Hoang Ha bronze drum

Artifacts recognized as National Treasure must be precious and unique. Like human, they can tell us much more stories.

The book of "Đường Kách Mệnh" (Revolutionary way) by Nguyen Ai Quoc (Ho Chi Minh pseudonim): Appearance and becoming. (Part 3)

We’ll follow the becoming of "Đường Kách Mệnh" for understanding the fate and vitality of the book.

The book of “Đường Kách Mệnh” (Revolutionary way) by Nguyen Ai Quoc (Ho Chi Minh pseudonim): Appearance and becoming. (Part 2)

The content of the book is organized according to actual topics, and the pages are grouped by topic instead of the usual page numbering. At the beginning of the book, Nguyen Ai Quoc wrote: "The purpose of the book is to tell our people that they can understand:

National Treasure: Dao Thinh bronze jar

The famous jar was recognized as National treasure in 1st review along with 30 other masterpieces. This is the biggest jar found in Vietnam and probably in the world because of its originality and belonging to Dong Son culture.

The book of “Đường Kách Mệnh” (Revolutionary way) by Nguyen Ai Quoc (Ho Chi Minh pseudonim): Appearance and becoming.

November 1924 Nguyen Ai Quoc arrived to Guangzhou China where was in a favorable political situation.

National treasure from Lach Truong estuary

Among 30 museum pieces recognized in 1st review as National Treasures a piece from sea, exactly from estuary: Lach Truong estuary, the land between 2 districts of Thanh Hoa province Hau Loc and Hoang Hoa. The treasure called bronze lamp which was found in 1953 in brick tomb aging first centuries AD.

Handwritten Draft of President Ho Chi Minh’s “Appeal to National Resistance”

Handwritten Draft of President Ho Chi Minh’s “Appeal to National Resistance”, 19 December 1946

The Revolutionary Road (Đường Kách mệnh)

The Revolutionary Road (Đường Kách mệnh) of our Nation’s Leader Nguyen Ai Quoc, published in Guangxi (China) in 1927

Nam Giao Temple Stele

Nam Giao Temple Stele, stone, Thang Long citadel (Hanoi), erected in the the 4th year of Vinh Tri reign, Le Hy Tong dynasty (1679AD).

Vo Canh stele

Vo Canh stele, sand stone, 3rd – 4th centuries AD., Vo Canh village, Vinh Trung commune, Dien Khanh district, Khanh Hoa province

The Canh Thinh Drum

The Canh Thinh Drum, bronze, in the 8th year of the reign of Emperor Canh Thinh, Tay Son dynasty, 1800 AD.

Bronze Royal Seal “Mon Ha Sanh An”,

Bronze Royal Seal “Mon Ha Sanh An”, bronze, Tran Due Tong Dynasty (1377 AD.), discovered in Huong Khe district, Ha Tinh province in 1962 AD.

Van Ban bell

Van Ban bell, bronze, Tran dynasty, 13th-14th centuries AD., discovered in 1958 AD., Do Son coastal area, Hai Phong province

Motorcar

Motorcar with the number HN707, a gift from the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam in 1954

Lion-shaped incense burner

Lion-shaped incense burner, a gift from the Chinese people to President Ho Chi Minh, 1959.

Embroidery

Embroidery, a gift from women of Quang Tri province to the Vietnam Labour Party, 1960.

Silver tableware set

Silver tableware set, a gift from the Mongolian people to President Ho Chi Minh, 1955.

Tea set

Tea set, a gift from Southern invalid soldiers to President Ho Chi Minh on the occasion of his 70th birthday, 19 May 1890 - 19 May 1960.

Buddha statue

Buddha statue, a gift from the Indian people to President Ho Chi Minh, 1958.

Electric fans, the Subsidy Period.

Coupons for food purchases in the Subsidy Period.

Coupon booklets for food purchases, the Subsidy Period.

Banner with the slogan “Vietnam is the human conscience of our age”,

Banner with the slogan “Vietnam is the human conscience of our age”, used by Italian participants in mass demonstrations in support of the Vietnamese people’s struggle against the Americans, 1970.

Leather head-band

Leather head-band produced by American anti-war organizations and worn by young protestors in the mass anti-war demonstrations in Washington DC, 22 April 1970.

Caps, worn by American Veterans

Caps, worn by American Veterans in the mass protests in Washington, D.C. in support of the Vietnamese people’s struggle against the Americans for the salvation of the nation, 20 December 1966.

Drum, used by Japanese Buddhist campaigners

Drum, used by Japanese Buddhist campaigners in the struggle to support the Vietnamese people, in the period of 1965-1967.

Calendar

Calendar, produced and sold by garment workers in Berlin (Germany) to raise funds in support of the Vietnamese people’s struggle against the American, 1969.

Padlock and chain

Padlock and chain, used by Australian protestors in demonstrations outside Australia's Parliament in support of the Vietnamese people's struggle against the Americans.

Painting made from pieces of a downed aircraft

Painting made from pieces of a downed aircraft, a gift from the Democratic Party Unit of Vinh City to the Communist Party of Vietnam, 1968.

Rake

Rake, made from pieces of aircraft wreckage by Labor Hero Dinh Nhu Gia and members of the cooperative of Gia Ho commune, Vinh Linh district, Quang Tri province.

Mug

Mug, made from fragments of an aircraft shot down on 28 May 1965 by policemen of Station 56, Vinh Linh.

Badge “Son La quyet thang”

Badge “Son La quyet thang” (Son La is Determined to Win), made from pieces of the aircraft shot down in Son La on 14 June 1965.

Wooden gun

Wooden gun, made and used by people of Dinh Hung village (Ben Tre province) in the Dong Khoi campaign, 1960.