Joanna James
Over the past few years, Hoi An has quickly emerged as one of the best cities to visit in South East Asia. The feature-rich museums found throughout the city have certainly played a part in all that.
The top of the list is the Hoi An Museum of History and Culture. This establishment is found in Dao Street on the second floor of the Quan Yin Pagoda and is open from 7 am to 5 pm every day. As the name suggests, this museum celebrates the history and culture of the city and is divided into four distinct sections. These focus on specific historical periods such as prehistoric times and Vietnam's revolutionary period against the French. In addition, there's also an art gallery that showcases various historical artworks that are associated with the city. If you're staying at a Hoi An hotel such as the Anantara Hoi An Resort, this museum is only a short distance away!
The Hoi An Museum of Folklore is a charming two-story building that's found in Nguyen Thai Hoc Street. The building itself is steeped in character being one of the oldest buildings in the neighbourhood and sporting a regal wooden finish. Here the exhibits are as varied as they are informative – you'll find everything here, from rare artefacts to in-depth looks at the lives of the city's craftsmen and labourers. Each exhibit comes with detailed explanations and fascinating insights that will leave you even more intrigued about Hoi An's long history.
If you're staying at one of the city's centrally-located hotels – say, for instance, the Anantara Hoi An Resort – you should definitely visit the Sa Huynh Culture Museum Hoi An. If you're a fan of Vietnam's ancient history or simply want to learn more about that period, this is the museum to visit. Here you can find an array of artefacts that belonged to the ancient Champa and Sa Huynh cultures which can be dated as far back as 1000 BCE!
First established in 1858, the Hoi An Museum of Ceramics houses the greatest collection of ceramics in the entire country. Here you can find exhibits that showcase all kinds of vases, urns, pots and containers, with some dating back centuries. You can even observe the remains of a sunken ship here as well as various equipment and machinery that have been involved in the art of pottery over the years.
This is a private museum that is the brainchild of a Vietnam-based French photographer. The establishment can be freely entered and is a great way to understand and appreciate the city's diversity. Here you can observe an array of photographs that capture the lives of Hoi An's citizens. Additionally, you can also take a closer look at different traditional dresses and costumes that belong to 53 different Vietnamese ethnic groups.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
