Is Visiting Museums in Hoi An Worth It? Here's Why

Hoi An was once a bustling international trading port where ships from the East and West converged. The traces of that era are preserved in the old houses with yellow walls and the museums scattered throughout the city. The stories this city holds are too deep and rich to simply pass by. Spending time in a museum, escaping the hot sun, peeking into the lives of 500-year-old merchants, and encountering the brilliant culture of Vietnamese ethnic minorities will transform your Hoi An trip from a simple tour into an insightful journey.


1. Hoi An Museum of Folk Culture: A Record of Living Traditions

This is the largest old house in Hoi An, renovated to showcase Vietnamese traditional arts and folk culture at a glance. Agricultural and fishing tools that reflect the lives of locals, as well as colorful traditional performance costumes, are on display, making it a great first step in understanding the roots of the people of Hoi An.


2. Hoi An Museum: The City's Yesterday and Today

If you want to get an overview of Hoi An's history, this is the place to be. From the Champa Kingdom era to its prosperous period as a trading port, historical artifacts and photographic materials are systematically organized. The panoramic view of the Old Town from the upper floor of the museum is an added bonus.


3. Tan Ky Old House: The Essence of Oriental Architectural Beauty

Although not labeled as a museum, it is a perfect historical site in itself. This house, which has been passed down through seven generations for over 200 years, is a exquisite blend of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese architectural styles. Imagine the extravagant lives of wealthy merchants of the past through the delicate mother-of-pearl decorations engraved on the walls and the time-worn furniture.


4. Precious Heritage Art Gallery Museum: A Festival of Colors

Operated by French photographer Réhahn, this is an artistic space that records the costumes and cultures of Vietnam's 54 ethnic minorities. You can discover the diversity and beauty of Vietnam through the actual costumes and vivid portraits of ethnic minorities, and despite the free admission, its value is higher than any other place.


5. Museum of Trade Ceramics: Treasures Left by the Seaway

This place shows the status of Hoi An, which was once the center of the 'Ceramic Road'. Numerous pottery fragments salvaged from the sea and artifacts from Japan, China, etc. are on display. Stroll through the exhibition hall, which preserves the structure of the houses where Japanese merchants stayed, and imagine the vibrancy of the 16th-century trading port.

To visit the main old houses and museums in Hoi An Old Town, an integrated ticket is essential. Now, book your Hoi An history tour or guide service in advance through WAUG. With the commentary of a veteran guide, you will discover stories from hundreds of years ago even in one of the yellow building's pillars that you might have overlooked.