Vietnam Military History Museum (New Location), Hanoi
The newly constructed Vietnam Military History Museum boasts impressive, modern architecture on a spacious site, located about 12 kilometers from the original museum. This remarkable new site fulfills high expectations for showcasing Vietnam’s great military history. Join SVietnam Travel to explore what the new Vietnam Military History Museum offers and get detailed guidance on how to visit this exceptional museum.
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Overview of the Vietnam Military History Museum – New Location in Hanoi
The Vietnam Military History Museum has recently relocated to its new address at Km6+500 Thang Long Boulevard, Tay Mo Ward, Nam Tu Liem District, Hanoi. Built by the Ministry of National Defense, the new museum covers an area of nearly 386,600 square meters with a modern, multi-functional design, officially welcoming visitors from November 1, 2024. The previous museum, located at 28A Dien Bien Phu Street, Ba Dinh District, ceased welcoming visitors on September 30, 2024.
The museum’s architecture serves not only as a display of wartime history but also as an interactive space where visitors can engage with and experience the heroic journey of the Vietnam People’s Army in its fight for national independence. In its initial opening phase (Phase 1), the museum will present six historical themes, beginning from the early days of state formation and defense to the period of nation-building and safeguarding since 1976.
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Currently, the museum houses over 150,000 valuable artifacts, including four national treasures: two MIG-21 aircraft numbered 4324 and 5121, T54B tank number 843, and a battle map from the Ho Chi Minh Campaign.
The museum’s outdoor area features a spacious square of over 20,000 square meters, where visitors can view large military artifacts such as aircraft and tanks associated with significant historical events.
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Indoors, the museum building stands 35.8 meters tall with four above-ground floors and a semi-basement, covering a building area of 23,198 square meters. The exhibits are divided into six historical themes: the Early Days of State Formation and Defense, Protecting Independence from 939 to 1858, the Anti-Colonial Struggle for Independence from 1858 to 1945, Resistance Against French Colonial Invasion (1945 – 1954), the Resistance Against the U.S. (1954 – 1975), and Nation-Building and Defense from 1976 to the Present.
The Vietnam Military History Museum also features innovative display methods, including 3D mapping technology, interactive touchscreens, extensive visual materials with automatic narrations, QR codes for artifact information, and over 60 videos introducing key campaigns, battles, and historical figures.
How to Get to the Vietnam Military History Museum
To reach the new Vietnam Military History Museum in Hanoi, if starting from the city center, you can choose between taking a bus, a taxi, or booking a ride through an app (such as Grab or Xanh SM). Riding a motorbike is also an option, though the distance is fairly long at around 13 kilometers and can be a bit dusty.
Several convenient bus routes, including 71B, 74, 87, 88, 107, 157, E05, E07, and E09, can bring you close to the museum’s location.
For those driving a personal vehicle, follow the route from Kim Ma Street to Nguyen Chi Thanh, then Tran Duy Hung, and continue straight along Thang Long Boulevard. This route should take about 30 minutes from the city center.
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Exploring the Interior of the Vietnam Military History Museum
On the museum’s exterior, the display on the right side showcases weapons and equipment used by the French and American forces during their invasions of Vietnam, including artillery, infantry fighting vehicles, and tanks.
On the left side, visitors will find weapons and equipment used by the Vietnamese army and people in the resistance wars against French and American forces, as well as items used during training and combat readiness in the period of national building and defense.
Stepping into the main hall, visitors are greeted by the “Silver Swallow” MiG-21 fighter jet, numbered 4324. The sight of this enormous MiG-21, suspended by cables from the ceiling as if soaring to protect the nation’s skies, creates a memorable impression. This exhibit is complemented by a large LED screen showcasing the beauty of Vietnam alongside content on the country’s history, culture, and traditions of state formation and defense.
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The first-floor exhibition area is divided into six themes:
- Theme 1: “The Early Days of State Formation and Defense”
- Theme 2: “Defending Independence from 939 to 1858”
- Theme 3: “The Struggle Against French Colonialism for Independence, 1858 to 1945”
- Theme 4: “Resistance Against French Invasion, 1945–1954”
- Theme 5: “The Resistance Against America, 1954–1975”
- Theme 6: “Nation-Building and Defense from 1976 to the Present”
The exhibits are arranged in chronological order with a logical layout. Each artifact is labeled with specific details and contextual event information, presented in various formats including text, information screens, photographic media, automatic audio guides, and QR codes for detailed artifact information.
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Notably, in Theme 4, beyond the artifacts, there are dynamic 1:1 scale dioramas that vividly recreate scenes of Hanoi’s streets during the 60-day battle to defend the capital following President Ho Chi Minh’s call for national resistance.
The vast space in the new museum not only displays artifacts but also introduces visitors to valuable documentary images of key meetings and decisions that shaped Vietnam’s revolutionary success. It offers a comprehensive, detailed look at Vietnam’s historical wartime events, with insight into the organization and operations of various military units, giving visitors a profound understanding of Vietnam’s war history.
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Opening Hours and Ticket Prices for the Vietnam Military History Museum
Starting from November 1, 2024, the Vietnam Military History Museum will officially open to visitors, offering free admission until the end of December 2024. To register for a visit, contact the museum at: 0246.253.1367.
The museum is open in the morning from 8:00 to 11:30 and in the afternoon from 13:30 to 16:30, operating from Tuesday to Sunday, including public holidays. The museum is closed on Mondays and Fridays.
Ticket Prices for the Vietnam Military History Museum
Currently, the museum offers free admission until the end of 2024. Afterward, visitors will need to purchase tickets to enter. The ticket price for Vietnamese visitors is 20,000 VND, while for international visitors, it is 40,000 VND. A 50% discount is available for children under 15, the elderly, students, and youth.
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Visitor Tips for the Vietnam Military History Museum
As the museum is newly opened, it can be quite crowded, especially on weekends.
- Choose Your Visit Time Wisely: The museum is open from morning to afternoon, with the morning being the ideal time to enjoy a quieter experience.
- Bring Water: The museum spans a large area, requiring a fair amount of walking, so bringing water and wearing comfortable shoes is recommended.
- Respect the Rules: The museum has regulations to protect its exhibits and display areas; please follow these to help preserve the valuable heritage.
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The newly constructed Vietnam Military History Museum spans a vast area with a modern design, housing and displaying numerous artifacts while utilizing advanced technologies to communicate the historical significance of Vietnam’s independence struggle to visitors. It is an outstanding destination for those interested in learning about Vietnam’s military history and a must-visit spot when in Hanoi.
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If you are planning a trip to Hanoi, consider adding the Vietnam Military History Museum to your itinerary, and feel free to contact SVietnam Travel for expert advice and special early booking offers.
