1. Information you need to know before visiting the Vietnamese Women's Museum

1.1. Location

Address: No. 36 Ly Thuong Kiet, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.

The Vietnamese Women's Museum is located right in the capital's center, on the bustling and historically rich Ly Thuong Kiet Street, easily accessible by various means of transport. This location is only about a 5-minute walk from Hoan Kiem Lake, making it very convenient to combine with visits to other famous landmarks such as the Hanoi Opera House, the Old Quarter, St. Joseph's Cathedral, or Trang Tien Plaza.

The area around the museum offers a diverse range of tourist services, including cafes, restaurants, and hotels, making it easy for visitors to rest and experience Hanoi's cuisine. With its prime location and tranquil space in the city's heart, the Vietnamese Women's Museum is an ideal stop on any journey to discover Hanoi's culture.

1.2. How to get there

To get to the museum, you can travel by private or public transport:

• Personal vehicle: The museum has a parking area for motorbikes and cars right near the gate, suitable for visitors who travel on their own.
• Public transport: It is very accessible by bus. Some routes that stop near the museum include lines 02, 32, and 49. Alternatively, you can opt for a taxi or a ride-hailing service for a faster and more flexible journey.

1.3. Ticket prices and opening hours

Opening hours: 08:00 - 17:00, Monday to Sunday (including holidays).

Ticket price:

• Adults: 40,000 VND
• Students: 20,000 VND (with student card)
• Students: 10,000 VND

2. Discovering the exhibition space: Four floors telling a thousand stories

The exhibition space of the Vietnamese Women's Museum is arranged scientifically and artistically across four floors. Each floor has a distinct theme, yet they blend together to paint a comprehensive, profound, and moving picture of the roles, lives, and beauty of Vietnamese women through different historical periods.

2.1. 1st floor: Souvenir shop - A place to preserve Vietnamese cultural heritage

The first floor is more than just a simple shopping area. Every product here is a crystallization of the skillful hands and souls of ethnic minority women and women from all over the country. From vibrant brocade fabrics and exquisite crafts made from Dó paper to postcards and photo books.

Each gift carries a cultural story and the effort to survive in modern times. Buying an item here means you are directly contributing to the preservation of traditional crafts and empowering hundreds of women to overcome difficult circumstances.

2.2. Floor 2: "Women in the Family"

The second-floor space fully recreates the story of Vietnamese women through three main stages: marriage, childbirth, and family life.

• Marriage and Rituals: Visitors can admire a rich collection of traditional wedding costumes, offerings, and wedding photos from various ethnic groups. Elaborately reconstructed wedding ceremonies show the diversity between patriarchal and matriarchal cultures, and how marriage is considered a major spiritual and community event.
• Childbirth and Nurturing: This space reflects folk beliefs surrounding childbirth—an important part of Vietnamese spiritual life. In particular, the offering set for the "12 Midwives" (cúng Mụ)—believed to shape the child—shows a concept of life's beginning that is both sacred and humane.
• Daily Life: Work tools like bronze pots, grinders, and fishing equipment, to handicrafts such as weaving and pottery, all demonstrate the central role of women in maintaining and developing the home. Through them, we see the perseverance, skill, and silent sacrifice that women devote to their families.

2.3. Floor 3: "Women in History": Golden pages of history and silent sacrifices

The third floor honors the role of Vietnamese women throughout the long history of building, defending, and developing the nation. From the Trung Sisters, Lady Trieu, and Bui Thi Xuan to Duong Van Nga, Y Lan, and Nguyen Thi Due, they are symbols of patriotism, wisdom, and courage.

In modern times, women participated in revolutionary movements, from the August Revolution to the resistance wars against the French and Americans. They were laborers, messengers, soldiers, and the silent mothers and wives who contributed to great victories.

The exhibition space uses personal memorabilia such as uniforms, handwritten letters, and old photographs to tell moving stories, like that of Dr. Nguyen Kim Nu Hieu, who hid her pregnancy to continue treating wounded soldiers, or the diary of Mr. Dang Sy Ngoc written about his heroic wife.

• Portraits of Vietnamese Heroic Mothers: A sacred memorial space, paying tribute to the mothers who sacrificed for the Fatherland.
• A Time of Fire and Flowers (Một thời hoa lửa): A 60-minute theatrical program that vividly recreates the role of women in war, especially for the younger generation.

2.4. 4th Floor: "Women's Fashion": The diverse beauty of 54 ethnic groups

The top floor is a "visual feast" with a huge collection of traditional costumes, handicraft techniques, and the art of beauty of women from Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups.

• Ethnic Costumes: The brightly colored and intricately patterned outfits of the H'Mong, Red Dao, Lo Lo, and others are not only beautiful but also reflect the beliefs, social status, and unique aesthetics of each community.
• Traditional Techniques: Linen-woven skirts, hand embroidery, and beeswax batik demonstrate the creativity and sophisticated techniques passed down through generations.
• The Art of Beauty: From silver necklaces, earrings, and headscarves to the custom of chewing betel nut (ăn trầu), all express unique aesthetic concepts and celebrate the rich, graceful beauty of Vietnamese women.

2.5. Thematic exhibition

The Vietnam Women’s Museum regularly organizes thematic exhibitions with rich content, reflecting historical, cultural, social and gender issues. Typical topics include:

The Vietnamese Women's Museum regularly organizes special exhibitions with rich content, reflecting historical, cultural, social, and gender issues. Notable themes include:

• The Worship of Mother Goddesses (Tín ngưỡng thờ Mẫu): Portraying the spiritual beauty and ritual practices of Mother Goddess worship in contemporary life, demonstrating the endurance of this purely Vietnamese folk belief.
• Contemporary Art Space: A place for young artists to express their creativity about women and culture. Currently displaying a collection of modernized folk paintings by artist Xuan Lam.
• Entrepreneurial Journeys: Honoring 15 Vietnamese women who overcame difficulties to rise up, creating a positive impact in fields like education, tourism, clean food, vocational training, etc.
• I Live Green: Promoting a sustainable lifestyle in the community with activities like resource conservation, growing clean vegetables, and reducing environmental pollution.
• Tears and Smiles (Nước mắt cười): Sharing the stories of women affected by domestic violence and their journey to rise above it with community support.
• Bright Nights (Đêm sáng): Documenting the hard, unjust lives of migrant workers earning a living at night at Long Bien market.
• Stories of Single Mothers: Portraying the efforts and resilience of 18 single mothers, helping to eliminate gender stereotypes.
• Memories of Dien Bien (Ký ức Điện Biên): Recreating the authentic, moving memories of women who participated in the Dien Bien Phu campaign—a symbol of unity and sacrifice.

3. Elevate your experience: Must-try services at the Museum

3.1. Online exhibitions for remote visitors

Without needing to be there in person, visitors can still explore the exhibitions of the Vietnamese Women's Museum through the online exhibition system on its official website. This is an ideal option for the public from afar or for those who want to learn more before visiting in person.

3.2. Audio Guide: Listen to 60 vivid stories

The museum's audio guide system offers nearly 60 fascinating stories, divided into three main themes: Women in the Family, Women in History, and Women's Fashion. Through the artifacts and images on display, listeners are guided to explore the rich aspects of the culture and history of Vietnamese women. This technology enhances the visitor experience, creating an emotional connection between the public and each story told. The system supports multiple languages, including Vietnamese, English, French, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish.

3.3. Tour guide service for groups

The museum provides professional tour guide services (Vietnamese/English) for groups who register in advance. This is an excellent way to access information visually and vividly.

3.4. Special tours for international visitors and children

Specially designed experiential tours offer international tourists a deep insight into the role of women in Vietnamese history and culture. In addition, interactive activities help children learn about gender, society, science, etc., in a fun and gentle way, without academic pressure.

3.4. Services for using spaces in the Museum

Located in the center of Hanoi, the Museum has many flexible spaces (capacity 50 - 500 people) suitable for organizing conferences, talks, art performances, exhibitions, etc., both during the day and in the evening. Convenient parking is available for both motorbikes and cars.

3.5. Museum's Café and other amenities

After your journey of discovery, you can relax at the café with its green, cool space, serving drinks, smoothies, coffee, and light snacks. Don't forget to visit the craft shop—a place that displays and sells products from ethnic minority women, traditional craft villages, and disadvantaged groups. This is not only a place to preserve culture but also to support livelihood development for women in different regions.

4. Some notes when visiting the Vietnam Women's Museum

To make your visit to the Vietnamese Women's Museum complete, meaningful, and civilized, please note the following:

• Appropriate Attire: Choose polite, neat clothing; avoid wearing clothes that are too short or revealing, especially when visiting cultural and historical exhibition spaces.
• Maintain Order: Do not speak loudly, joke around, or make noise to ensure a quiet atmosphere, allowing everyone to concentrate on the displays.
• Protect the Artifacts: Do not touch the artifacts, glass cases, or other display items to avoid damage and ensure safety.
• No food or drink is allowed in the exhibition areas. Please maintain general hygiene, dispose of trash in designated bins, and respect the shared cultural space.

With over 40,000 artifacts, documents, and images displayed in a modern and lively storytelling manner, the Vietnamese Women's Museum is not merely a display case but an emotional journey of discovery. Join Vietnam Airlines, the national airline, in bringing tourists from all over the world closer to the heart of Vietnamese culture and history.

Book your flight to Hanoi and visit the Vietnamese Women's Museum today to listen, feel, and connect with untold stories.