Hai Phong Museum

One of the most striking architectural and cultural gems that Haiphong has to offer is the City Museum. Housed in a magnificent colonial building from the early 20th century, the Haiphong Museum immediately catches the eye with its exquisite Gothic style and height of about 16 meters. This site is considered the first regional-level museum in Vietnam, carefully preserving the heritage of this important port hub.

Hai Phong Museum. Иллюстрация. Источник: Kupi.com AI

Inside the museum, guests will find an impressive collection of over 22,000 artifacts housed in 16 themed halls. The exhibition covers a vast span of time: from ancient paleontological fossils and prehistoric ceramics to items telling the story of the city's modern maritime economy and agriculture. The total area of the premises is about 1,300 square meters, allowing for a complete immersion in the atmosphere of the past.

Beyond its historical treasures, the museum is interesting as an architectural monument. Despite its venerable age and several restorations, the building has retained its original layout and external decorations created over a hundred years ago. Here, you can see not only rare books and ancient maps but also traditional costumes of various ethnic groups, making a visit to the museum educational for tourists of all ages.

To check current information about exhibitions or special events, you can use the following contact details for the museum:

A visit to the museum offers guests a deep dive into the region's cultural identity. Inside the halls, you can trace the development of Haiphong — from its origins and prehistoric era to its transformation into a major seaport. Be sure to pay attention to the unique ceramics collection and the ancient bronze drums, which are the pride of the museum's holdings.

Of particular interest to travelers are the exhibitions dedicated to maritime history. Here, detailed ship models, ancient navigational maps, and items related to port trade are on display. This is an excellent opportunity to understand why the city is called the maritime gateway of the country. Some halls utilize modern digital technologies, making the viewing of exhibits more interactive and engaging.

After strolling through the internal halls, be sure to check out the museum garden. This outdoor area features an interesting collection of large-scale artifacts and taxidermy specimens illustrating the region's natural diversity. The beautiful museum building and well-kept grounds also serve as a wonderful backdrop for memorable photos in the French colonial aesthetic.

The museum is located in the very heart of the city at 66 P.Điện Biên Phủ, in the Hong Bang district. This is the central part of Haiphong, so it won't be difficult to find — the majestic colonial-era building is visible from afar and is within walking distance of many popular tourist routes in the port district.

If you are arriving from Cat Bi Airport (HPH), a taxi or motorbike taxi ride will take about 30–40 minutes. The city's public transport is also well-developed: you can reach the museum by city buses that run along the main streets of the center. For more precise navigation, it is recommended to use mobile maps, searching for the Minh Khai area.

For tourists already in the city center, the most convenient and scenic way to get there is on foot or a short taxi ride. The area around the museum is well-maintained, featuring convenient parking spaces and wide sidewalks, making the journey to this cultural attraction easy and pleasant.

The history of the building that houses the exhibition today dates back to 1918–1919. It was originally built by a Hong Kong business group but later passed into the ownership of a French capitalist and became known as the Franco-Chinese Bank. This explains its magnificent European appearance, which is quite untypical for traditional Vietnamese architecture.

After the city's liberation in May 1955, the building served as a banking college for some time. However, in 1958, it was decided to transform it into a cultural site. The official opening took place on December 20, 1959, making it the first local-level museum in all of Vietnam. Since then, the museum has become the primary guardian of the memory of this important port region's development.

Notably, a significant part of the collection was gathered thanks to the city residents themselves. Between 1965 and 1975, an active campaign was conducted under the slogan "One person — one historical artifact." Citizens brought documents, household items, and relics, helping to recreate a complete picture of life in Haiphong. Even after several renovations, the building has retained its original Gothic style and internal layout, which is over a hundred years old.

To leisurely explore all 16 halls of the museum and spend time with the exhibits in the garden, a typical visitor will need about 1 to 2 hours. This time is quite sufficient to get acquainted with the key milestones of the city's history and examine the most valuable artifacts.

If you plan to study documents in detail or use the interactive panels, your visit could extend to half a day. In any case, the museum is an excellent place for a quiet cultural break between walks through the city's busy streets.

The museum welcomes visitors according to a schedule with a midday break. Generally, the doors are open from Tuesday to Sunday. Morning operating hours are from 08:00 to 11:00, and the afternoon shift starts at 14:00 and lasts until 17:00 (sometimes until 17:30).

Please note that the museum is closed on Mondays. On Sunday evenings, there are occasionally additional visiting hours, but it is recommended to check the information on the official Facebook page or directly at the entrance before your visit, as the schedule may change.

The location in the historical center makes it easy to combine a visit to the museum with other points of interest. Exploring the surrounding Hong Bang district will help you better feel the atmosphere of the port city and see how modern life intertwines with tradition.