Fine Arts Museum in Ho Chi Minh City

Throughout the more-than-300-years history, Ho Chi Minh City is developing to be one of the leading centers of politics, economics, culture, education and tourism of Vietnam. Along with the drastic changes, Ho Chi Minh City still preserves its traditional values as well as unique architecture constructions. One thing that you can easily realize in this city is the French edifices that have become the symbols of Ho Chi Minh City. On our trip today, we will visit a destination like this, the Fine Arts Museum of Ho Chi Minh City.

I. A Brief History of Fine Arts Museum

Fine Arts Museum, or Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts, is one of the largest museums in Ho Chi Minh City. It  has witnessed the ups and downs of history as well as the rise of Ho Chi Minh City after the unification in 1975.

Built in 1929 and inaugurated in 1934, the building blends Asian and European architectural styles, designed by French architect Rivera. Originally, it was the mansion of Hua Bon Hoa, a wealthy Chinese-Vietnamese businessman who also owned landmarks like Tu Du Hospital and the Majestic Hotel.

Over time, the building changed hands, witnessing key historical events such as the August Revolution (1945), Vietnam’s partition (1954), and reunification (1975). In 1987, it was repurposed as the Fine Arts Museum, officially opening in 1992. Today, it houses an extensive collection of sculptures, paintings, and artifacts, playing a vital role in preserving and promoting Vietnamese fine arts.

II. Highlights of Fine Arts Museum

1. Architectural Beauty

The museum’s three-story building follows the Art Deco style, blending Eastern and Western influences. Its yellow facade, arched windows, and U-shaped structure are complemented by a courtyard and fountain.

Notably, it was the first building in Saigon to feature an elevator, designed to resemble a traditional Chinese palanquin. The red-tiled yin-yang roof and stained glass windows further reflect its fusion of Asian and European artistry.

2. Interior Layout

Spanning 3,514 square meters, the museum is organized as follows:

• Basement – Administrative offices
• First floor – Galleries, exhibitions, and trade spaces
• Second floor – Fine arts paintings
• Third floor – Antique sculptures and traditional handicrafts from South Vietnam

The entrance features a grand lobby with large pillars and twin staircases. Above the archway, “H.B.H” (Hua Bon Hoa’s initials) is engraved in steel. Long corridors connect gallery rooms, each leading to a small balcony. Thanks to the large windows and high ceilings, natural light floods the interior, creating a bright and airy atmosphere.

The museum remains a historical and artistic gem, offering visitors an immersive experience of Vietnam’s rich cultural and artistic evolution.

III. What to See at Fine Arts Museum?

The Fine Arts Museum has the functions of researching, collecting, preserving, displaying documents and typical objects belonging to fine arts and reflecting the special features of Vietnamese ancient handicrafts, especially typical art works in the South.

There are some artifacts that are displayed at Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts:

1. Ancient Bronze Sculptures in South Vietnam

In the gallery of ancient bronze sculptures in the Southern region, there are sculptures of Hindu and Buddhist Gods from the forth to the eleventh centuries. Hindu Gods statues include Vishnu, Surya, Lakshmi, Uma and Ganesa statues made of fine sandstone, dating from the fifth to the eleventh centuries. Buddha statues from the forth to the tenth centuries were made of  giant crape-myrtle wood and fine sandstone.

2. Champa Ancient Sculptures

Champa ancient sculpture is one of the unique arts in the treasure of Vietnamese art heritage, contributing to the multi-religious and multi-ethnic culture. Apart from the influences of the religion of India, the Cham also absorbed the culture, customs and especially Indian architectural and sculpture art, then quickly localized and created the unique and attractive features of Champa style on each sculpture.

On display at the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts are the statues, reliefs and semi-reliefs of Hindu deities such as the Kinnara statue, the reliefs of Dvarapala and Colossus, the statue of Kala – the monster guarding the temple, the fairy dancer, the architectural artifacts such as altars and pillars; all of them were made of rough sandstone or terracotta, dating from the seventh to the fourteenth century.

3. The Statues in Tay Nguyen Tombs

Sculptures and statues in tombs in the Central Highlands are a unique part in Vietnamese sculpture in general. This custom has stuck with the people of Central Highlands from the primitive society, partly due to the ancient conception of beliefs.

It is also because the original art is always unrestricted of the magic function, the statues in tombs are quite diverse and exceptional. Unlike other sculptures, the tools used to make these statues are also very simple: axes and knives, the most popular production tools. According to the concept of the locals, the statues helped to replace people, so the statues in the tomb did nothing but to serve the material and spiritual life of the dead. The popular sculptures are of crying people, mother and child, naked men or women and so on.

4. Vietnamese Ceramics (11^th – 20^th century)

Through the ups and downs of history, Vietnamese traditional ceramic industry is still developing and surviving. Under the Ly Dynasty (1010 – 1225), the Tran Dynasty (1226 – 1400), and the Le Dynasty (1428 – 1527), the pottery industry flourished and reached the peak of both art and technology, to producing many kinds of beautiful and precious ceramic products, which then followed the boats of foreign merchants to many countries in the world.

Till the end of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century, famous ceramic centers in Vietnam such as Bat Trang, Phu Lang, Huong Canh, Thanh Hoa, Binh Dinh and Bien Hoa had produced many types of ceramic products, which were diverse in designs, materials and the patterns shown on the potteries, and meticulous and harmonious in crafting art.

5. Southern Fine Arts (18^th – 20^th century)

At the end of the 17th century, the region of South Vietnam was discovered, and it became the meeting point of the Chinese immigrants and the Vietnamese and Khmer locals. It was also the meeting of peasants, craftsmen, and those who had to leave their homeland because of conflicts and came to this new land to start a new life.

Among the classes of migrants coming to the South of Vietnam, beside the merchants, there were a lot of craftsmen, who contributed to the expansion and development of handicraft activities. With the creative minds and skillful hands, they soon utilized the abundant sources of clay to make ceramic products that adapted the demands of local residents at that time.

6. Contemporary Art

In Fine Arts Museum, numerous modern paintings of famous artists in Vietnam and in the world were exhibited, such as the works of Nguyen Gia Tri, Diep Minh Chau, Do Quang Em and Trinh Cung. All the paintings and sculptures took inspiration from the daily life of Vietnamese people as well as the beauty of famous landscapes of Vietnam.

These artworks are divided into two periods of time: from the beginning of the twentieth century to 1975 and from the 1975 to present, with many creative trends and themes of Vietnam and all over the world. Fine Arts Museum is becoming an ideal place for those who want to explore the fine arts and find some creative inspirations.

IV. How to Get to Fine Arts Museum?

Located in District 1, the center as well as the most luxurious and bustling district of Ho Chi Minh City, the Fine Arts Museum is not difficult to get to. It is only nine kilometers from Tan Son Nhat Airport, so you can get to the museum by taxi or motorbike.

Moreover, you can also get there on a bus with a very pocket-friendly price. Buses numbered 01, 03, 04, 18, 19, 38, 39, 44, 53, 56, 65, 86, 93, and 96 have stops near the museum, making them convenient options for visitors.

Please note that bus routes and schedules may change over time. It’s advisable to check the latest information before planning your visit.​

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V. Tips on Visiting

There are some minor tips that you should remember when going to Fine Art Museum:

• Don’t touch the artworks that are on display here. All of the works have anti-theft sensors, if it was touched intentionally or accidentally, the bell would ring and the security guard will blame you.
• You will have to pay a 300,000-VND fee if you want to take photos with a professional camera inside the museum. However, there is no fee for a mobile phone.
• There is a wardrobe with distinct rooms for you to keep your bag and belongings on the right of the main entrance, so that you don’t have to carry the heavy luggage during your visit.
• Don’t make so much noise inside the museum. Everyone wants a quiet atmosphere to explore the artworks.

Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum is an ideal place for you to explore the artifacts, a part of Vietnamese culture. If you have an opportunity to come to District 1, don’t miss this interesting destination. If you have any questions, be free to ask and we will help you to answer!