Buzz
While wandering around the heart of Hanoi, I stumbled upon many tourists wandering around famous landmarks such as Hoan Kiem Lake, the Old Quarter, St. Joseph's Cathedral, West Lake, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Tran Quoc Pagoda, Fine Arts Museum... But few know that the Vietnam Literature Museum is also a fascinating place where you can explore.
Because at the Vietnam Literature Museum, there are many interesting things to admire, there are literary idols that we want to meet or visit the museum like a short journey to immerse yourself in the life of Vietnamese literature through various periods. If you have come to Hanoi, then once experience this vibrant literary space!
Vietnam Literature Museum
Outside the museum entrance, the door is entirely made of wood, symbolizing a book.
The Vietnam Literature Museum offers a space to experience Vietnamese literature through various periods in the heart of Hanoi. An ideal destination for those who love Vietnamese literature.
Stepping through the museum gate means stepping into the treasure trove of Vietnamese poetry with a series of authors, works, languages, and Vietnamese scripts from various periods or scripts of brotherly ethnic groups in Vietnam.
Vietnam Literary Museum's Examination Picture Space
On the first floor of the tour, visitors will experience the space of medieval Vietnamese literature through ten centuries. The highlight at the center of the display is the phrase 'Heart-Talent' - 'That heart, only equal to three talents'; a philosophy of life and creation that has permeated Vietnamese literature through the ages.
The creative spirit of the Heart character is closely associated with the Talent character located at the center of the first floor display, representing the artistic creativity associated with 10 centuries of Vietnamese literature.
Taking a tour of the first floor, visitors will also see a focus on medieval Vietnamese literature with spaces dedicated to reading poems about the landscapes of the country, poems engraved on stone steles, the craft of making dó paper, woodblock printing, Dong Ho folk paintings,... along with prominent figures like Nguyen Trai, the great poet Nguyen Du, and a series of works like The Tale of Kieu...
Khmer script written on fabric
The Tale of Kim Van Kieu Story in the Thanh Thai era
Various editions of Nguyen Du's The Tale of Kieu
The Vietnam Literature Museum is the foremost repository of both ancient and modern editions of The Tale of Kieu, spanning from Chinese characters, Nom script, Vietnamese romanized script, and many other languages.
Poetry engraved on stone steles
Printed version of the Great Annals of Đại Nam
Handwritten version of the Great Annals of Đại Nam
Display corner showcasing the craft of dó papermaking and Dong Ho folk paintings
A highlight of the late medieval literary period is the emergence of literature during the Tran dynasty imbued with the Zen spirit of Buddhism. Also, witnessing the reenactment of education and imperial examinations in Vietnam during feudal dynasties.
Zen literary space
Space of ancient examination halls
The second tour floor is the space of literature awarded the Ho Chi Minh Prize for Literature and Art through 5 award ceremonies, or in another sense, this is the space of contemporary Vietnamese literature, featuring genres of social criticism and the new poetry movement.
In this literary space, you will find the realm of innovative literature since the emergence of the romanized script and its association with war. Hence, you will encounter reenactments of soldiers in the jungle both fighting and creating poetry, music... with a focus on youth, love for the homeland, revolutionary love, and social criticism, which President Ho Chi Minh laid the foundation for in this literary movement.
Artifacts and works of writer Nguyen Dinh Thi
Artifacts of writer Hoai Thanh
Also within this literary space, you will witness another aspect of rural Vietnam from the famine of 1945; through reenactments of the suffering and oppression of the Vietnamese people like Thi No serving rice porridge to Chi Pheo, mother and daughter Chị Dậu selling dogs.... accompanied by a series of portraits, artifacts, of writers found and preserved. Especially the portraits of poet friends Huy Can and Xuan Dieu along with their works.
Portraits of poets Huy Can and Xuan Dieu
Preserved writing instruments of poet Xuan Dieu
Artifacts and two wartime poems by Xuan Dieu
Finally, on the third floor is the space of Vietnamese literature honored with state awards. This final space brings together writers who participated in the resistance against the French and Americans, a more vibrant living space with the tools they always carried with them, writing instruments, artifacts, memorabilia, or their first drafts... old bicycles, typewriters,... each exhibit tells a touching story for viewers to understand more about the authors, their works, and their stories.
The third floor of the museum with vibrant colors to describe the literature of this period like a garden of flowers and leaves
Exhibition space dedicated to poet Giang Nam; the figure sleeping in the Southern forest representing the Central Vietnamese migrating to the Southern battlefield to fight and create
Exhibition space dedicated to writer Anh Duc, a native of An Giang province, hiding in the Cà Mau forest fighting alongside comrades and creating immortal works
In this final literary space, visitors will see portraits of the iconic works of literary and artistic duo, poet of love Xuan Quynh and playwright Luu Quang Vu; and romantic love letters, captivating creations, when literature and art touch the hearts of appreciators.
Photo of poet Xuan Quynh and her husband, playwright Luu Quang Vu
Portrait of the muse in Han Mac Tu's creation in the New Poetry movement; promoting individualism and love
Furthermore, the Vietnam Literature Museum also features special exhibitions for each event. The sculpture garden space with portraits of prominent Vietnamese writers and poets.
Handwritten manuscript of the novel 'A Land with Many People and Many Ghosts' by writer Nguyen Khac Truong, depicting the shortcomings of rural Vietnam
Printed version of 'A Land with Many People and Many Ghosts' by writer Nguyen Khac Truong, published in France in 1998
The third floor also features an exhibition space showcasing the cultural aspects of rural homes and lifestyles in the North-Central-South regions. This room stands out with traditional handicrafts, pottery items, and agricultural tools.
Essential information for visiting
Ticket price for museum visit is 20,000 VND/ticket/person, students pay 15,000 VND/ticket, children and seniors are free of charge.
Parking at the left corner of the museum is completely free.
Photography fee for film cameras is 15,000 VND/camera, for video cameras is 30,000 VND/camera.
From various directions in the capital, you can take the bus to get here, such as routes 31, 33, 41, 55, 58 stopping at Au Co station number 236 or number 521 and walk inside.
If tourists visit Hanoi, they can rent a motorbike at Motogo.vn with rental prices starting from 130,000 VND/bike/day. Renters must have a valid ID card, flight ticket information, pre-paid rental fees, and a deposit of 500,000 VND/bike.
If you have luggage, please leave it in the museum's cloakroom.
Strictly prohibited to bring weapons, explosives... inside.
Keep general hygiene: No smoking, eating, making noise, or touching exhibits and display equipment.
The Vietnam Literature Museum offers an experience and appreciation of Vietnamese literature in the heart of Hanoi, the capital's unique literary destination providing a perfect space for literature enthusiasts. Amidst the capital's golden land with many sightseeing options, this is perhaps a very special destination for you to explore.
Author: Tran Thanh Dien
*Article participating in the Mytour Golocal program
Mytour Golocal is a blog program introducing beautiful destinations across Vietnam, part of the Mytour Go & Share program. This is a great opportunity to promote local tourism to everyone. For each qualifying article, you will receive 800,000 VND and the chance to become a contributor to Mytour. For more details about the program, visit: https://trv.lk/golocal
