Museum of Ho Chi Minh City
Museum of Ho Chi Minh City
3.5
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This building where some of Ho Chi Minh’s personal effects are on display was once a French customs house.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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3.5
134 reviews
Excellent
24
Very good
50
Average
43
Poor
12
Terrible
5
Angus863
Wellington, New Zealand53 contributions
Jul 2014 • Friends
I am rating this museum as average, but I would still recommend a visit for several reasons:
- The Museum is very quiet, which is a welcome relief from the other larger museums in the middle of Saigon
- It is small (only 2 floors) and there are a lot of pictures.
- More importantly, they have a water cooler.
On the negative side:
- The museum has almost no english, so it is very difficult to figure out what the narrative of the museum is.
- It is basically a series of rooms with pictures of uncle Ho doing various activities. "Here is Ho playing Volleyball", "here is Ho eating dinner", "here is Ho harvesting Rice" etc. etc.
- Like other Vietnamese museums, it is very heavy on pictures, quotes and motivational lines of political indoctrination, with little in the way of substance.
All in all, I left the place with an understanding of Ho Chi Minh and how many great things he supposedly did, but no idea what those things were, or why they were so important.
I couldn't help but to feel vague similarities with the situation in North Korea, where the leader is worshipped unconditionally.
- The Museum is very quiet, which is a welcome relief from the other larger museums in the middle of Saigon
- It is small (only 2 floors) and there are a lot of pictures.
- More importantly, they have a water cooler.
On the negative side:
- The museum has almost no english, so it is very difficult to figure out what the narrative of the museum is.
- It is basically a series of rooms with pictures of uncle Ho doing various activities. "Here is Ho playing Volleyball", "here is Ho eating dinner", "here is Ho harvesting Rice" etc. etc.
- Like other Vietnamese museums, it is very heavy on pictures, quotes and motivational lines of political indoctrination, with little in the way of substance.
All in all, I left the place with an understanding of Ho Chi Minh and how many great things he supposedly did, but no idea what those things were, or why they were so important.
I couldn't help but to feel vague similarities with the situation in North Korea, where the leader is worshipped unconditionally.
Written July 4, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pinoytraveller2
Luzon, Philippines15,100 contributions
Jun 2013 • Family
The Bao Tang Ho Chi Minh or Ho Chi Minh City Museum is all about the life and works of Vietnam's most reverered political leader, Ho Chi Minh or Uncle Ho. He is the person responsible for the unification of Vietnam. The museum is housed in a beautiful colonial building that is located at the bank of Saigon River and beside the Port of Saigon.
There are plenty of informative materials but most are written in French and Vietnamese language. A good English guide will make a trip to this museum more beneficial to foreign tourists. Great photo opportunities inside and outside the building.
There are plenty of informative materials but most are written in French and Vietnamese language. A good English guide will make a trip to this museum more beneficial to foreign tourists. Great photo opportunities inside and outside the building.
Written May 22, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
globeseeker007
globeseeker0073,255 contributions
This museum sits just across the Saigon River from the central area of Ho Chi Minh City and you can see it from the sidewalk that runs alongside the river. Take the bridge that goes over the river and the museum is to your left after you get on the other side. I'm surprised that the place was situated across the river instead of closer to downtown on the opposite side of the river. It is located in an old French colonial building and the grounds are quite attractive. Inside is located old photos, both colored and black & white, and documents, as well as other memorabilia, depicting his life and revolutionary struggle against the French and, later, the Americans. The museum has 3 floors and the top floor is covered with photos of Uncle Ho in various poses with other people. The amazing thing about these photos is that they are made out of buttons and sequins. The people who made these were very talented and put in a lot of time and effort. There is a Ho Chi Minh Museum in just about every major city in the country. This one is worth a visit.
Written January 30, 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kerren2015
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam53 contributions
Mar 2020 • Solo
Thoroughly enjoyed the tour through Ho Chi Minh’s life. Excellent historical information, although poorly curated. Seriously cheap and well worth a look
Written March 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LJDTravel
Cardiff, UK14 contributions
Jun 2019 • Friends
I wouldn't rate this museum as a *must see* attraction in Ho Chi Minh. I would much sooner point you in the direction of the post office, independence palace or the war museum. The place is pleasant enough. It's exhibits seemed well thought out and were quite interesting, I believe their main aim is to illustrate the different cultures which exist within the city formerly known as Saigon and to provide guests with a small snapshots into the day to day lives of it's inhabitants. I say this with some uncertainty as all exhibit description were in Vietnamese only. So with hindsight I recommend that any non Vietnamese speaking visitors to this museum should either go as part of a guided tour or purchase an audio tour with your tickets.
Laura (UK)
Laura (UK)
Written July 10, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
672highf
Point Lonsdale, Australia15 contributions
Apr 2019 • Solo
Unlike most Museums this is very much about the life and times of one person, Ho Chi Minh. It is free to visit and set in very well cared for grounds.
There are numerous displays, all well notated, covering two floors plus the veranda. It took me two hours to see all the museum had to offer, but could have spent more time reading all the notations with each display.
If you want to get an understanding of the recent history of Vietnam this is a must visit.
Thoroughly enjoyed the visit and would recommend it to anyone who has a historical interest in Vietnam, Indochina.
There are numerous displays, all well notated, covering two floors plus the veranda. It took me two hours to see all the museum had to offer, but could have spent more time reading all the notations with each display.
If you want to get an understanding of the recent history of Vietnam this is a must visit.
Thoroughly enjoyed the visit and would recommend it to anyone who has a historical interest in Vietnam, Indochina.
Written May 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jessica M
258 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
We accidentally stumbled across this Museum so decided to go in. Tickets were really cheap compared to most (15.000 VND) and there weren't many tourists there. It showed a glimpse of the war museum with old tanks, planes and helicopters and even prt of an underground bunker which you could wander through. The inside grounds were lovely and we even saw a couple having their wedding photos taken there!
Written July 29, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KarenMChelmsford
Folkestone, UK144 contributions
Dec 2016 • Friends
There are lots of photos and various individuals covered beyond Ho Chi Minh but it is just photos with 'one liners' underneath. As another reviewer stated (disappointed I didn't read the reviews first) this museum could do with a good curator then they could attract more visitors and even increase the entrance price - it's only 10,000 VND
Written December 31, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheShis
Tel Aviv, Israel42,755 contributions
Sep 2015 • Couples
This museum is located next to the river in a beautiful orange building, surrounded by a lovely garden.
There's a nice view of the river from the second floor of the museum.
The museum is more of a shrine to Ho Chi Minh and his personality, and as such, suffers from extensive amounts of propaganda.
As long as you keep that in mind, you can actually enjoy the place, as it includes many old photos of Ho Chi Minh throughout his long life.
Ticket is apx. 0.50 US$ (50 cents) and the place closes up for lunch and is closed on Mondays.
There's a nice view of the river from the second floor of the museum.
The museum is more of a shrine to Ho Chi Minh and his personality, and as such, suffers from extensive amounts of propaganda.
As long as you keep that in mind, you can actually enjoy the place, as it includes many old photos of Ho Chi Minh throughout his long life.
Ticket is apx. 0.50 US$ (50 cents) and the place closes up for lunch and is closed on Mondays.
Written September 23, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maple H
Singapore, Singapore118 contributions
This museum is situated next to the Saigon river and the 2nd floor has a very good view of the river and the district 1 buildings. As I wanted to know who is HCM this place provided me the answers I have been looking for.
I visited on a Sunday morning, but it was not crowded. There are rooms located in this 2 floors bulding where they mainly featured photographs about the life of Uncle Ho as to how he became the respecteable leader in Vietnam who unified North and South Vietnam. I took my time to read the prints since it is quiet but there are some photographs without English print which is a pity.
I'm glad that I have finally realised the figure printed on the Vietnamese note is HCM.
I visited on a Sunday morning, but it was not crowded. There are rooms located in this 2 floors bulding where they mainly featured photographs about the life of Uncle Ho as to how he became the respecteable leader in Vietnam who unified North and South Vietnam. I took my time to read the prints since it is quiet but there are some photographs without English print which is a pity.
I'm glad that I have finally realised the figure printed on the Vietnamese note is HCM.
Written August 2, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is this the same museum as the Museum of Ho Chi Minh City on 65 Ly Tu Trong Street, District 1?
Written November 1, 2018
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