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Fito - Museum of Traditional Medicine
Vietnam Museum of Traditional Medicine
The Genesis of Fito - Museum of Traditional Medicine
For many years, driven by the passionate collection of Mr. Le Khac Tam, a figure in the pharmaceutical industry, the museum has come to life. Tam, fueled by youthful zeal, love for the profession, and a deep connection to traditional medicine, realized that it's not just about healing but also preserving the rich cultural values of the Vietnamese people. Thus, he conceived the idea of establishing a museum dedicated to traditional medicine.
Information reception desk at the museum
Fito was constructed in 2003 and inaugurated in 2007, spanning 6 floors and 18 rooms over an area of 600m2. The museum, entirely crafted from wood with intricate patterns, showcases antique wooden frames brought directly from the Red River Delta, creating a vintage and warmly inviting atmosphere. Here, the museum vividly depicts artifacts and engravings, allowing visitors to envision the activities of ancient physicians, from diagnosis, treatment, herbal medicine preparation, to the application of remedies throughout history.
What does the Traditional Medicine Museum offer?
Upon entering Fito, a serene sight familiar to the Vietnamese unfolds – the image of two bamboo clusters planted right in front of the museum catches the eyes of visiting tourists. Crossing the wooden threshold, a nostalgic feeling washes over, standing amidst the vast wooden house, imposing yet warmly scented with herbal fragrances. The faint aroma blends into the soul, creating a comforting ambiance.
The unique architecture of the Museum
The interior of the Museum is entirely crafted from lacquered golden wood, adorned with ancient-style gold leaf paintings and intricate patterns. A significant aspect contributing to Fito's value is the preservation of over 3000 rare artifacts related to traditional Vietnamese medicine, ranging from the Stone Age to the present. Notable items include a collection of ancient knives, medicinal pestles, and boats dating back 2500 years, used for grinding and cutting herbs.
Timeline of the history of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine
After receiving the tour guide pamphlet, you will step into a small room to watch a 15-minute documentary on the history and evolution of the Vietnamese pharmaceutical industry.
Following the documentary, the guided tour begins from the 4th floor of the Museum, descending to the 1st floor. Each floor unfolds a different story, a unique theme brimming with valuable knowledge.
Exhibit area for ancient books
Here, for those delving deep into the history of traditional medicine, Fito provides an extensive collection of Chinese and Nom texts, comprising over 100,000 pages. Noteworthy works include Y Tong Tam Tinh and Nam Duoc Thanh Hieu by the venerable Le Huu Trac (28 volumes, 66 books). Regarded as an encyclopedia of traditional Vietnamese medicine, it showcases our medical heritage on par with nations boasting flourishing medical traditions like South Korea, China, and Thailand.
Altar for Medical Ancestors
In the center of the house stands an altar dedicated to the medical ancestors, Tuệ Tĩnh and Hải Thượng Lãn Ông, adorned with hanging scrolls and wooden couplets in gold leaf, reminiscent of ancestral altars in affluent ancient families. The staircase is crafted from rich ebony wood, intricately carved with exquisite details. Each floor of the museum features a green and shaded space, adorned with traditional decorations, herbs, and plants.
Altar for the Two Medical Ancestors
The altar for the medical ancestors, Tuệ Tĩnh and Hải Thượng Lãn Ông, is situated in the most prominent position in the museum. Flanked by hanging scrolls and wooden couplets in gold leaf, resembling ancestral altars of affluent families in ancient times. The staircase is made of ebony wood, intricately carved. To the left is a display room featuring prehistoric stone and bronze artifacts related to traditional medicine. On the right is the Vietnamese Physicians' Hall showcasing 15 portraits in gold leaf from the 13th to the 19th century, honoring notable traditional medical practitioners.
Portraits of Renowned Medical Practitioners
Outside, a green and shaded area features a small Cham Tower resembling the entrance to the Y Miếu Thăng Long, built in 1780 in Thăng Long, Hanoi. Y Miếu is a square-shaped structure with two layers and three east-facing bays. The two-story roof provides ventilation, adorned with double Dragons embracing the Sun on the ridge, while the outer pillars are sculpted in lotus bud shapes, representing meditative thoughts in medicine.
Architectural Replica Inspired by Y Miếu Thăng Long
Historical Site of Vietnamese Traditional Medicine
Fito's 3rd and 2nd floors house a collection of medication processing tools such as mortars and pestles, traditional and Western scales, wooden boards, prescription printing tools, and medicine grinders. These stone tools were once utilized by ancient Vietnamese for concocting medicines. Copper mortars and pestles were commonly used in pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies during the French colonial period, along with small precision scales for weighing medicinal ingredients. Introduced to Vietnam by foreign traders around the 16th century. The collection also includes various teapots and super-fine strainers gathered from across the country.
Collection of Scales and Mortars
Varieties of Traditional Eastern Medicine
Model of a Medicine Strainer
Furthermore, Mr. Tam meticulously crafted the artwork 'Vietnam's Centennial Medical Families' in wood, honoring those who contributed to traditional Vietnamese medicine and the names of 100 eminent physicians from the 12th to the 20th century.
Gallery showcasing various medicinal plants
In a unique display, Fito presents the model of the 'Southern Medicinal House,' featuring numerous renowned herbal medicines. The Lục Hòa Đường Pharmacy (Chợ Lớn) from the 19th century is authentically recreated as a 'Northern Pharmacy.' Particularly striking is the lacquer painting depicting 'Traditional Medicine in the Vietnamese Community,' including a northern pharmacy, Ben Thanh Market, the imperial city of Hue, and finally, Hoan Kiem Lake. This painting has earned a place in the Guinness World Records Vietnam.
Southern Medicinal House
Exhibition room showcasing medicinal wine jars
Soaking medicinal herbs in alcohol is an ancient method of herbal preparation. Since time immemorial, it has been passed down that the most effective way to soak alcohol is to bury the soaking jar underground.
Various types of soaking jars
Display room for medicinal wines
Ancients believed that tonic wine promotes blood circulation and regulates the balance of vital energy. The type of alcohol used for soaking is usually white liquor distilled from rice, corn, sweet potatoes, etc. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, medicinal wine nourishes and enhances blood, and promotes meridian circulation. Vietnamese people prefer using ceramic and porcelain jars for soaking wine. Some beautifully crafted wine cups, such as the Mai Flower Ceramic Cup, are displayed in this room.
Thai Medical Hall Model
The interior of room 16 is decorated in a royal style, hence its name, the 'Thai Medical Hall.' This is where health care is provided for kings and royal family members. The wall-hanging paintings themed around Traditional Medicine depict activities like herb harvesting, cultivation, preparation, and pulse reading. Noteworthy is a painting describing the Trinh ruler's illness in 1781 when Hai Thuong Lan Ong treated Trinh Can - Trinh Sam. Glass cabinets showcase rare items used by the upper class, such as tea sets and medicine pipes.
Model of herb processing in the Thai Medical Hall
Tips for Visiting the Museum
Explore the rich historical values and core humane aspects of Vietnamese Traditional Medicine Museum. Come to Fito to experience and share the beauty of this noble profession!
Author: Tran Thi Nhu Quynh
*Article participating in the Mytour Golocal program
Mytour Golocal is a blog-writing program introducing beautiful destinations across Vietnam, part of the Mytour Go & Share program. It's a great opportunity to promote local tourism. For each qualified article, you'll receive 800,000 VND and a chance to become a contributor with Mytour. Details about the program at: https://trv.lk/golocal
