Are you curious about art development in Vietnam? Do you want to fully understand the value of classical and contemporary arts in Vietnam Fine Arts Museum?
Over 20.000 works of arts including 3.000 objects on display, there’s no denying that the Museum of Fine Arts is the most diverse collection of artworks in Vietnam.
In the Fine Arts Museum Hanoi, we will have a thorough look into the length of Vietnamese history through sculpture, painting, architecture, engraving to visual arts. From 8000 B.C to the present, collections and exhibitions on display are like living witnesses, telling us about life in the past in Vietnam
If you go with children, they will have a lot of fun experience in creative art with artists’ guide in Creative space for kids
>>> See more: 20+ Top Things To Do In Hanoi (and the ONE thing NOT to do!) + MAPS<<<
Map from Hoan Kiem Lake to Vietnam Fine Arts Museum
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How can you get to the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum – Fine Art Museum Hanoi?
Table of Contents
It’s about 2 km to get there from Hanoi Old Quarter so you can choose your suitable transports to go
“Em Thúy” – The painting exhibited at Vietnam Fine Arts Museum by Tran Van Can artist during French colonial period – recognized as National treasure
- By taxi or scooter: 11 minutes
- By bus: 24 minutes. You can get on Bus 09 in Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc square, get off at the bus stop in front of Hanoi Flag Tower. Take your time to visit Hanoi Flag Tower and Vietnam Military History Museum (maybe Thang Long Imperial Citadel too because it’s nearby), Then walk through Nguyen Thai Hoc street to be in Vietnam Fine Arts Museum
- On foot: 22 minutes. You can follow this route: Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc square – Dinh Tien Hoang street – Hang Gai street – Hang Bong Street – Nguyen Thai Hoc street – Fine Arts Museum Hanoi
- It’s so close to the Temple of Literature. If you have a plan to visit there, don’t forget dropping by Fine Arts Museum Hanoi
>>> Or you can visit the museum in Hanoi Museum FREE Tour with local students
Museum of Fine Arts Hanoi – the length of Vietnamese history
Collections in displaying system are introduced following history course, art form and material for tourists to understand more clearly. The typical value of Vietnamese artistic treasure is shown, ranging from folk art to modern art.
Old painting from Ly-Tran dynasty
Vietnam Fine Arts Museum Hanoi archives over 20.000 objects, including 2.000 objects in display fixedly following main themes:
Fine Arts in prehistoric and ancient times
The first engraving product is found in Dong Noi, Hoa Binh about 10.000 years ago.
From Northern Vietnam to Quang Binh, Dong Son culture gave birth and developed brilliantly based on the foundation of Pre Dong Son culture.
From 1.000 BC to the 1st century, Middle and Southern Vietnam formed 2 big central civilizations: Sa Huynh culture (from the Middle to Ho Chi Minh city) and Oc Eo (Dong Nai and West Southern).
From the 11th century to the 14th century, with the influence of Buddhism, people built many large pagodas for royal and religious purposes. The peculiar culture of Ly-Tran dynasties, along with the Champa civilization, inspired to create ingenious stone sculpture and architecture.
An ancient Buddhism statue from the Ly Dynasty
From the 15th to 18th century, Post-Le and Mac dynasties era was the most prosperous period of Vietnam ancient sculpture art with lacquered wood statues and refined, sophisticated carving.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, Tay Son and Nguyen dynasties gave birth to outstanding art of growing realism.
Fine Arts from the 20th century up to now
Fine Arts from 1925 to 1945
With the establishment of the Indochina Fine Arts College, many painters and sculptors found the new way to express their thoughts: Painting on silks, oil painting on canvas, printmaking, lacquer painting
Fine Arts from 1945 to 1954
During 9 years of resistance war against the French colonists, the artworks reflected the nation’s struggle with vigorous, forceful brushstrokes
Statue about Vietnam War
Fine Arts from 1954 up to now
Artists of lacquer painting developed new techniques and styles of art, make the collection become one of the most treasured in Vietnam Fine Arts Museum Hanoi
Also the great development of silk and oil paintings
Folk fine arts normally represent the wishes, aspirations of Vietnamese farmers in the past, the daily lives, heroes and genie worships.
There are 3 well-known genres of folk arts: Dong Ho (Bac Ninh), Hang Trong (Hanoi) and Lang Sinh (Hue)
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Ceramic collection from the 11th century to the 20th century
Celadon ceramics were distinctive of the Ly Dynasty (11th and 12th century) with decorative patterns of skillfully stylized lotus, water creatures, and nature.
In the late 12th century to the 14th century, brown pattern ceramics appeared with a highly artistic simplicity.
From 14th to the 15th century, cobalt blue pattern ceramics thrived and diversified in size, type, shape, and theme of decoration.
Last but not least, contemporary ceramics in the 20th century up to now have developed new styles and modern design ideas
Over 30 art galleries in 3 floors, observers are attracted to a wide variety of objects, unique creativity, aestheticism and exquisite talent of artisans.
There are many collections for you to enjoy:
- Collections of art: over 6.000 artworks
- Collections of sculpture: over 1.000 objects
- Collections of traditional art: over 2.000 objects
- Collections of ceramic: over 6.000 objects
- Collections of foreign art: over 400 objects
The museum was built during the French domination era. It was used to be a dorm for daughters of French officials in Indochina, to stay while studying in Hanoi.
The hall of Vietnam Fine Arts Museum now
- After 1945, the house was used for many purposes.
- After 1962, the government handed over to the Ministry of Culture.
It was refurbished to be the place where collected, exhibited and store typical, valued Vietnamese artworks from the prehistoric age to present.
From the house imbued with European architecture, the house was renovated into Vietnam architectural style, in accordance with the function of Art Museum.
In 1966, the museum officially opened for tourists. The whole area is about 4200 square meters; the displaying area is 1200 square meters
From 1997 to 1999, the area was enlarged to 4737 square meters in total, over 3000 square meters in display.
>>> Explore Vietnam Fine Arts Museum with Hanoi Motorbike Tours!
Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts – What activities children have in Creative space for Kids?
Children are having fun with statue painting
Vietnam Fine Arts Museum (Hanoi Art Museum) officially opened this space in 2010, as the first activity in Arts Educational program. In 70 m2 area on the 3rd floor of Fine Arts Museum Hanoi, with the guide of artists, sculptors, and museum officers, children will find out and discover folk fine arts and contemporary arts, national and international.
Then, children will take part in 8 fun activities: picture painting, statue painting, freestyle drawing, doing puzzle, printing folk fine arts,…
Fine Arts Museum Hanoi is a creative playground, creating an opportunity for children to have access to precious art legacy. Hopefully, it helps children to develop a creative mind in arts in the beginning.
Visit the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum Hanoi – What you need to know?
Location
- 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Ba Dinh, Hanoi (50 meters from Temple of Literature)
Opening hours
- 8.30 a.m to 5 p.m (except Monday)
Price tickets
- Adults: 40.000 VND
- Students with an ID issued by Vietnamese Colleges and High schools: 20.000 VND
- Children between the ages of 6 and 16: 10.000 VND
- Children under 6 years old: Free
Adult entrance ticket at Vietnam Fine Arts Museum (insta: 90sny)
- Guided Tour: 150.000 VND with English / French-speaking tour guide
Other information
- Contact: 024 3823 3084
- Website: www.vnfam.vn
Local tips
- Suggest going on weekdays to avoid the crowd
- Prepare a camera to take photos.
Meaning to locals
- Vietnam Fine Arts Museum is an invaluable treasure of national art throughout history.
- We not only save the objects but also preserve traditional value for the next generation, let future generation understand the origin, traditions, customs, history of beloved Vietnam.
>>> You may want to read: 2020 | Top and Tips for Hanoi Museums – Price + Opening Hours
If you want any further advice and information, feel free to contact us, the AZ Local Trip team. It is our pleasure to help you!
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