Not only does it have beautiful paintings and sculptures, the museum also impresses with its ancient and luxurious French architecture. Every little corner here is the perfect “background” for a great “virtual life” photo set. Let’s learn more about this special museum with Origin Vietnam.
1. Where is the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts?
Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts is located at 97A Pho Duc Chinh, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. About 1 km south of the city center and about 8.5 km southeast of Tan Son Nhat International Airport.
2. How is Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts unique?
With its ancient and luxurious French architecture, Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts has become a “super hot” check-in spot for tourists as well as young people in Saigon. It used to be the private residence of merchant Hua Bon Hoa or Hui Bon Hoa in Fujian, China. This over-100-year-old building has a beautiful design down to every detail, ensuring you will be “fascinated” when taking virtual photos here.
It was established on September 5, 1987 by the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City. Until the end of May 1989, the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts was established. Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts officially opened.
Not only does it have impressive architecture, the museum is also home to more than 22,000 valuable artifacts. It reflects the unique art of Saigon in particular and the Southern region of Vietnam in general. After 35 years of operation, the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts has become one of the largest art centers in Vietnam, continuing its mission of spreading love for art to the public.
In 2012, the Museum was recognized as a city-level architectural and artistic relic. Since then, the Museum has become a place to preserve and display many famous works of art. Discover Vietnam’s rich heritage with our Vietnam cultural tours. Immerse yourself in the beauty of ancient artifacts, intricate sculptures, and historical paintings that showcase the nation’s cultural and artistic treasures.
3. How to get to the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts?
With a prime location right in the Ben Thanh quadrangle including four streets: Pho Duc Chinh – Le Thi Hong Gam – Calmette – Nguyen Thai Binh, Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts is an extremely convenient place for tourists to visit.
To be able to travel to Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts, depending on your preferences and needs. You can go by personal vehicle, public bus, or tourist bus with many different departure points.
3.1 By personal vehicle:
To get to Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts, you can use motorbikes, personal cars, … With a convenient location near main roads such as Nguyen Van Troi, Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Nguyen Thai Binh and turn onto Pho Duc Chinh street, you will easily reach this location.
3.2 By bus:
If you choose bus as a means of transportation to the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts, you can choose between the following routes:
- 01 bus route: from Ben Thanh to Cho Lon bus station.
- 102 bus route: from Saigon bus station to Nguyen Van Linh street – Mien Tay bus station.
- 34 bus route: from Saigon bus station to District 8 bus station.
- 39 bus route: from Saigon bus station to Vo Van Kiet and to Mien Tay bus station.
- 38 bus route: from Tan Quy residential area to Dam Sen bus station. Operating hours are from 5:15 am to 7:00 pm.
- 44 bus route: from District 4 port to Binh Quoi.
- 86 bus route: from Saigon bus station to Ton Duc Thang University, Long Kieng bridge.
In addition, Hop On Hop Off Vietnam double-decker bus or Vietnam Sightseeing Bus. This is also an interesting choice for those who like to visit the Fine Arts Museum and many other famous tourist attractions of the city named after Uncle Ho.
3.3 By taxi:
In addition, you can choose a taxi service to travel to the Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum. Reputable taxi companies in Saigon such as: Vinasun taxi, Mai Linh taxi, Green SM taxi, … they meet the travel needs of all passengers. These are taxi companies that bring comfort and convenience to tourists. It is suitable for groups of friends or families with young children or the elderly.
4. Opening hours and ticket prices to visit the Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum
4.1 Opening hours:
- From 8:00 to 17:00 daily.
4.2 Ticket prices:
- Adults: 30,000 VND/person/time.
- Children from 6 to 16 years old, students, seniors, disabled people: 15,000 VND/person/turn.
- Children under 6 years old: Free admission.
Note:
- Ticket prices may change over time or during special promotions.
- You should check the updated information on the museum’s official website or contact Origin Vietnam directly for more details.
5. Unique architecture of the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts
The Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts will overwhelm you with its unique architecture, combining the beauty of French Baroque architecture in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. And the harmony of the Eastern architectural style in the exterior decoration.
Moreover, the building is built with tiled roofs, ceramic columns and ceramic decorations on the roof, creating a harmonious and unique picture. Inside the museum building is a place to store many valuable works of art, diverse in materials. From exquisitely carved wooden furniture, mother-of-pearl inlaid wooden furniture to sophisticated ceramics, which enhance the aesthetic and historical value of the museum.
Besides, the museum building has an area of 3,514m² with bold Art-deco architectural style, a subtle blend of Asian and European art. The red yin-yang tiled roof, European-patterned stained glass windows, tiled floors and marble staircases create a luxurious space.
In particular, the museum is the first building in Saigon to be equipped with an elevator, with a meticulously crafted elevator cabin decorated like an ancient Chinese palanquin. Experience the architectural marvels of Saigon with our Saigon City tour. Admire the grandeur of high lobbies, majestic columns, and intricately patterned arched doorways. And the stele engraved with the name of the previous owner is H.B.H – an abbreviation of Mr. Hua Bon Hoa.
6. History of the formation of the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts
This magnificent building formerly belonged to Uncle Hoa and the Hua family, carrying mysterious stories that have existed for more than 100 years.
In particular, uncle Hoa is a Vietnamese businessman of Chinese origin and French nationality. He is considered the richest man in Saigon in the first half of the 20th century. His family owned many villas throughout the Saigon – Gia Dinh – Cho Lon area and he made important contributions to the construction of the city at that time.
In addition to the villas, he also built many civil works such as hospitals and pagodas to serve the Saigon community. Some of these works still exist today such as the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts, the Majestic Saigon Hotel, Tu Du Hospital, Saigon General Hospital, the Government Guesthouse, Ky Vien Pagoda, Phung Son Pagoda and many banks and business headquarters in District 5.
In 1929, Mr. Hoa’s family built a mansion in a luxurious and classic Baroque style. It perfectly combined French and Chinese architecture according to the design of architect Rivera and the house was completed in 1934.
After 1975, following the changes of the times, his family left Saigon to settle in France and the building was taken over by the military.
At the end, the building became the place where the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts was established in 1987. And the museum officially opened in 1992.
Since then, the museum has become a place to preserve and display many famous works of art, precious ancient artifacts, sculptures and paintings of great historical, cultural and artistic value.
7. Activities and experiences when visiting the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts.
7.1 Exploring the exhibition areas inside the museum
When visiting the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts, you will admire unique exhibitions and diverse collections. Each work contributes to highlighting the story of cultural and artistic richness.
7.1.1 Building 1 – Displaying modern art works
With about 22,000 artifacts, Building 1 at the museum is divided into two main sections: ancient art and contemporary art. In particular, there are unique collections such as Resistance Sketches and works by famous artists.
Not only that, the exhibition work at the museum is especially focused on. This is to introduce the development of regional art, from Ho Chi Minh City to neighboring areas. It attracts more than 200,000 visitors each year.
7.1.2 Building 2 – Special exhibitions, regular exhibitions
Building 2 of the museum is a special exhibition space, regularly organizing diverse exhibitions from domestic and foreign units, organizations, and artists. Each year, there are an average of 10-25 exhibition events with international exhibitions introducing works from ASEAN countries. When attending the event, you can see paintings by leading artists from Russia, the US, China, Italy, Japan, Canada, Thailand, Korea, Singapore and Indonesia.
7.1.3 Building 3 – Displaying ancient and modern art artifacts
Building 3 of the Fine Arts Museum is a space for displaying ancient and modern art artifacts with diverse materials such as ceramics, bronze, wood and stone.
In the field of ceramics, the museum displays typical Southern ceramic lines such as Lai Thieu ceramics, Bien Hoa ceramics, Saigon ceramics and ancient ceramics from the Dong Nai River. For stone art, there is a collection of Cham Pa and Oc Eo sculptures. With bronze material, the museum offers impressive works. Meanwhile, with wooden artifacts, there are diverse displays from religious culture to household wooden furniture.
7.2 Enjoying virtual life with countless artistic backgrounds
The Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts is a virtual life paradise with countless beautiful artistic backgrounds. With a classic European space, this is an ideal place to take beautiful photos in Saigon for you to unleash your creativity and take “million-like” virtual photos.
In addition, this place has stained glass windows and harmonious lighting that create a unique beauty right from the outside. Inside, the hallway with sunlight shining through the windows creates a breathtaking space combining classic and modern.
8. Enjoying Saigon specialties when visiting the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts
When visiting the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts, don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy the rich cuisine of this beautiful and bustling land. Savor the flavors of Vietnam with our Vietnam street food Tour! Indulge in Saigon’s famous snacks like mixed rice paper, grilled rice paper, spring rolls, and more. Taste the heart of local cuisine. These are very popular dishes, you can easily find them around the city center.
9. Accommodation when visiting the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts
When traveling to this famous place, you can refer to some of the following accommodations:
- The Hammock Hotel Fine Arts Museum. Address: 59-61 Nguyen Thai Binh Street, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Winsuites Saigon – Luxury Boutique Hotel. Address: 25-30-32 Le Lai Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Bay Hotel. Address: 7A Ngo Van Nam, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, HCMC.
- Cozrum Homes Yoga Corner. Address: 283 Hoang Sa, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1, HCMC.
- TN Central Hotel. Address: 22 Hai Ba Trung, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, HCMC.
- Luxy Park Hotel & Apartments. Address: 15B Tran Khanh Du, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1, HCMC.
- A&EM Hotel. Address: 179 Ly Tu Trong, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, HCMC.
- Sunshine Hotel. Address: 6/18 Cach Mang Thang 8, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, HCMC.
- Rosa Hotel & Spa. Address: 55 Thu Khoa Huan, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, HCMC.
- Saigon Hanoi Hotel. Address: 4b – 4c Thi Sach, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, HCMC.
- The Odys Boutique Hotel. Address: 67-69 Nguyen Thai Binh Street, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Triple E Hotel. Address: 81 Nguyen Thai Binh, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
10. Some important notes when visiting the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts
To have the most complete and meaningful visit to the Museum, you need to note the following:
- You should wear polite clothes when visiting the museum.
- Only park in designated locations according to the museum’s instructions.
- Visitors who need explanations, please contact the staff at building 1 or the ticket counter.
- Tour guides must wear tags when guiding the tour.
- It is forbidden to bring weapons, explosives, and toxic substances into the museum grounds.
- Please leave your luggage in the designated place and do not leave valuables in your luggage.
- Keep clean, do not make noise, do not smoke during the visit.
- Do not sit or lie in prohibited areas.
- Do not touch or feel the exhibits in the museum.
- You do not bring food or drinks into the galleries.
- For filming and photography, please contact the ticket counter staff for instructions and registration for a fee.
- Only use mobile phones to take souvenir photos.
When visiting the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts, you will not only explore the unique art space but also immerse yourself in the unique art culture. With a combination of history, culture, architecture and art, the museum is truly a destination not to be missed when you travel to Saigon.
Join Origin Vietnam – a professional tour operator, to explore the beauty of this long-standing museum with a unique architectural fusion right in the city center. We will bring you meaningful activities and memorable experiences on your journey to explore Vietnam.
