The Museum of Vietnamese History

The Museum of Vietnamese History in HCMC was established in 1979. From 1929 to 1956, it was called “Musee Blanchard de la Brosse” and from 1956 to 1975, it was called “the National Museum of Vietnam in Sai Gon”, mainly displaying ancient arts of some Asian countries.

The Museum aimed to introduce Vietnamese history and culture to not only the Vietnamese people and also the foreigners. It has expanded its area to form a new system of exhibition, reflecting both characteristics of national history and culture and typical cultural features of Southern provinces and Asian countries.

Currently, there are 2 main display sections in the museum:
Section 1 is the display of the Vietnamese history from the 1st human vestiges to the foundation of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. And section 2 is the display of special subjects reflecting the typical characteristics of Southern Vietnam and some Asian countries.


After this trip to the Museum, I have learnt and understand more about Vietnamese culture and history. In the past, there is no Hindu temple in HCMC (Southern Vietnam) as they have moved it to the central of Vietnam. There are 50 different people and 33 ethnic minority people where one of the minorities includes Chinese.

Before 19th century, the people used Chinese characters. However, it was changed when French came. Chinese characters in Vietnam would have continued if the French did not invade the country. Currently, they used alpabets.