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The Ho Chi Minh Fine Arts Museum boasts a unique blend of Asian and European architectural styles, a true marvel.
1. Dive into the vibrant hues of yesteryears.
If you're a fan of vintage charm and cinematic nostalgia, this place is a must-visit. Picture the Ho Chi Minh Fine Arts Museum as a timeless dimension, where time stands still, and golden hues dominate. Stepping through its gates, you'll immediately notice the grand architectural marvel enveloped in lush greenery.
The main building of the Ho Chi Minh Fine Arts Museum.
Inside the main building.
The sculpture exhibition area on the second floor.
The yellow balcony area.
The main corridor adorned in golden hues.
Even in Hoi An, there are hidden gems waiting for your check-in!
As you stroll along the corridors, the golden hue gradually fades, replaced by a dreary gray of walls and adjacent windows. You might argue that gray is a modern shade, but within the museum's space, it loses its cold mechanical essence and instead adopts the subtle shades of the past, reminiscing a bygone era.
The corridor adorned in a dull gray hue.
A cozy little exhibition room.
The dim and serene ambiance in the exhibition room is achieved through the neutral-toned walls.
The exhibition rooms are interconnected by a side door.
Another prominent color you'll notice here is red. It's a vibrant hue, the color of blazing fire. Despite its intensity and fervor, red harmonizes gracefully with the golden and gray tones. At times, it's like a gentle silk ribbon weaving through the space, adding a touch of vitality to this nostalgic film reel.
A striking 'last red' artwork amidst the monotone backdrop.
Accentuating the cool-toned walls are vivid red cabinets and chairs.
2. Impressive architectural fusion.
Most of the museum buildings in Vietnam, and around the world, are artistic masterpieces in themselves, not to mention the treasures they hold. The Ho Chi Minh Fine Arts Museum is no exception.
Within the museum grounds are multiple exhibition buildings showcasing various art themes and artifacts.
A corner of the main building as seen from the second-floor balcony.
The building is constructed in the Art Deco architectural style, harmoniously blending the finest elements of both Asian and European artistic traditions. Notably, the Ho Chi Minh Fine Arts Museum was the first building in Saigon to feature an elevator. However, today, this elevator serves merely as a decorative piece, no longer in operation and sealed shut.
Columns inspired by ancient Greek and Roman styles stand tall, adding grandeur to the architecture.
Surrounding the entire building is a harmonious green courtyard.
Moreover, the windows along the main corridor serve as distinctive highlights of the building, where visitors inevitably pause to capture a few photos due to their artistic allure. Some frames feature stained glass with intricate patterns, exuding a European flair. Each time sunlight filters through, it's like a myriad of blooming flowers, casting thousands of colors and dazzling images.
Stained glass windows with vibrant patterns steal the spotlight.
When the sunlight shines through, the patterns on the glass doors seem to dance.
Then there are those wooden frames, seemingly simple yet adored all the more. Firstly, they make for perfect photo spots with natural light streaming through. Secondly, each window serves as a magical portal unveiling a different view of the surrounding museum. Just posing with these doors is enough to make your social media shine all year round.
On either side of the corridor are wide-open windows, perfect for your Instagram-worthy shots.
However, along the same stretch of corridor, some windows remain shut.
Don't worry, even if the windows are shut, we can still play with the light reflecting on the glass.
Inside the building, there aren't many lights installed; instead, it relies mainly on natural light from the windows.
3. What to prepare when visiting the museum?
Firstly, you need to know where the museum is located, right? Currently, it's situated at 97 Pho Duc Chinh Street, District 1. This used to be the mansion of a Chinese merchant named Hua Bon Hoa. If you've heard the story of the 'Hua family ghost,' it's about this art museum! But don't worry, it's all just a story.
When visiting the museum, besides taking photos, you also have the opportunity to delve deeper into the 'Hua family ghost' story.
Next, make sure to have your ticket money ready. For adults, students, and university students, it's 30,000 VND per person. For students aged 6 to 16, it's 15,000 VND per person; children under 6 are free. Quite a bargain, isn't it? When you enter the museum's main hall, there will be a metal cabinet on your right, where you can store your belongings so you don't have to carry them throughout the visit if they're heavy.
The second-floor exhibition area is a favorite photo spot for many young people.
One more thing to note, when you're here, please refrain from touching the artworks on display. These are all original pieces, meticulously preserved, so sweaty hands and body heat can damage them. Additionally, all artworks are equipped with anti-theft sensors; if you accidentally touch them, there will be an alarm and security will come 'check in' immediately.And the next thing to prepare is a fully charged phone, an empty memory card camera, and some cool photo poses to hit the road in style!
We should only admire the artworks from a certain distance.
Compared to its famous sibling, the Ho Chi Minh City Museum, which is already well-known, the Ho Chi Minh Fine Arts Museum remains a hidden gem in the heart of Saigon, isn't it? Rest assured that not only tourists but also genuine Saigonese are surprised by the museum's 'virtual' charm. So, hurry up and check in here to make your friends jealous!Author: Vu Le Tuong Uyen
* This article is participating in the Mytour Golocal program.
Mytour Golocal
