Fine Arts Museum, Saigon/HoChiMinh City

The Fine Arts Museum in Ho Chi Minh City is a gallery dedicated to contemporary Vietnamese and international art. Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture has designated it as a First Class National Museum.

The museum was inaugurated on the 5th of September 1987 by the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City. The building that houses the museum is a grand yellow and white colonial mansion. It used to belong to a wealthy Chinese businessman called Mr. Hoa, who owned the Majestic Hotel and the Tu Du Hospital during the colonial era.

Displays in the museum of art are arranged on three floors. The first two floors house a collection of paintings by contemporary Vietnamese and international artists. The artists featured include Trinh Cung, Do Quang Em, Diep Minh Chao and Nguyen Gia Tri. The third floor is a repository of art created between the 7th and early 20th centuries. Works from the Cham and Oc Eo periods of Vietnamese history are on display here. The museum also has a collection of traditional artworks from different regions of the country including gilded red lacquer artifacts, ceramic pottery and wooden objects with mother of pearl inlays. Both new and established artists are featured, providing visitors with an insight into the evolving art scene of Vietnam.

Why You Should Visit:
To see some amazing Vietnamese artwork on display in a beautiful colonial-era building.
Some paintings will make an impression but it's mostly the sculptures and pottery/ceramics that stand out.

Tip:
You should buy water at the ticket booth before going in, since there's no a/c.
If you have your own water bottle, you can refill it for free on the first floor.