Museum of Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City

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Previously known as the Revolutionary Museum, this large grey building (built around 1885) is a short walk from the centre of District One and the Reunification Palace. The colonial building has played a number of roles: firstly it was a commercial museum, then the Cochinchina Governor's palace, then briefly in 1945 it was the provisional administrative HQ before morphing into the French High Commissioner's Office. Later incarnations included the Gia Long Palace and the Supreme Court. In the late 1970's it was relaunched as the Revolutionary Museum and subsequently renamed the Museum of Ho Chi Minh City.

The museum contains a photographic record of the Revolution within Vietnam, beginning with the French and ending with the Americans. There's also an expansive display of more ethno-societal and archaeological relics plus displays of Vietnamese aircraft and weaponry and French cars outside. Beneath the museum lay an elaborate network of tunnels and bunkers that reach as far as the Reunification Palace. It was through these tunnels that President Diem scampered before eventually fleeing to Cha Tam Church (and his death).

Open: 8am-5pm. Admission: 15,000 VND.

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The Ho Chi Minh City Museum is located in the centre of Ho Chi Minh City – in an old colonial building with a long fascinating history. It was built between 1885 and 1890 and at first, the building was intended to be the Commercial Museum, but it became the Governor of Cochinchina’s Palace. During the years it had many other functions such as the Supreme Court and the Presidential Palace of Ngo Dinh Diem. In 1978 it became the Revolution Museum of Ho Chi Minh City and since 1999, it has been the Ho Chi Minh City Museum.

The museum houses several exhibition themes: “Nature and Archaeology”, “Ethnic Groups”, “The History of Foundation and Development”, “The Economy (late 19th – early 20th century)”, “Revolution Struggles (1930-1975)”, “The Culture (late 19th – early 20th century)” and sometimes temporary exhibitions. Outside in the museum yard is a collection of old war hardware (tank, planes, helicopter etc).

The museum was not very interesting, but the building and garden was quite nice. Many exhibits were only labelled in Vietnamese.

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The boys loved this one. Outside there is a tank, helicopter and plane, relics from the war in the 60's. Inside there are heaps of guns on display. They also have temporary exhibitions. While we were there it was an exhibition of wedding rites in South Vietnam and also a collection of southern folk worshipping statues.
This is also a popular spot to get married. The day we were there we saw 3 weddings in a row. I can see why - it's a beautiful building, great back-drop for the wedding photos!
Entry here is 15,000 dong.

Ho Chi Minh Museum is a large pink building on the edge of the Saigon River, just south of the Ben Nghe Channel. This mansion was constructed in the 1860s by the French colonials, and was the headquarters of a French shipping company. I did not go in the museum itself, but I was somewhat impressed by the old building.

This museum is the old customs house which Ho Chi Minh went through as he left Vietnam on his 30 year journey around the world. Inside are some of his personal belongings, including his journals, fragments of his clothing, and his rubber sandals.

The museum gives you a small glimpse as to Ho Chi Minh was. Of more interest is the customs house itself which is nicknamed the Dragon House (Nha Rong) for its architectural design. It was constructed in 1863 utilizing a blend of Vietnamese and French style. Walking out onto the balcony gives you a great view of the port along the Saigon River. The cost of the museum is10,000d and it is open Tues-Sun 7:30-11:30 and 1:30-5.

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Ba (Uncle) Ho's connection with Saigon was pretty much limited to a short visit in 1911, during which he signed onto a French ship as a crew member. After stays in New York, London, Paris, Moscow, and Hong Kong, he returned to Vietnam in 1941 to lead the revolt that led to Vietnam's independence and unification.

As the country's largest city, Saigon -- now Ho Chi Minh City -- could not be without its HCM museum (almost every town has one) despite the brevity of Ho's stay.

Though the building itself, erected in 1863 is quite beautiful, HCM City's HCM museum is not rich in exhibits.. Several dioramas represent moments in Ho's life and in the French and American Wars. One shows a representation of the famous "Ho Chi Minh Trail" which "North" Vietnam used to infiltrate personnel and materiel into the south during the American War. (It shows a US plane that has been struck by a missile of some sort.)

There is a small souvenir stand on the 1st floor, with many items featuring photos of Ba Ho.

Vietnam´s most celebrated hero is honoured at the Ho Chi Minh Museum. Surprisingly modest, it seems dusty and somewhat moth-eaten. Inside the smallbuilding is a collection of Uncle Ho memorabilia outlinig his life. When browsing through exhibits such as Ho Chi Min´s pencils or his watering canyou realise just how highly respected he really is. Much of the explanations are in Vietnamese but it´s not a bad place for wander.

The museum of Ho Chi Minh City is a noble colonial structure. The ground floor focuses on the fall of Saigon. Outside are a few military leftovers and some old cars. Not quite as interesting as some of the other museums in the city.