The South-Vietnamese Women Museum in Ho Chi Minh City is a repository of many documents and artifacts that signify the charm of Vietnamese women throughout different periods. It has also become a popular destination for both local and international tourists when visiting Ho Chi Minh City.
In the following article, DanangPrivateCar.com’s will introduce you to information about the Women’s Museum of South Vietnam in Saigon and the experiences you can have when visiting this famous tourist spot in Ho Chi Minh City.
Introduction to the South Vietnamese Women Museum in Ho Chi Minh City
The South Vietnamese Women Museum in Ho Chi Minh City is built to honor the Vietnamese women who have contributed to the country’s development and to celebrate their roles as mothers, wives, and heroines in times of war.
With three floors and ten exhibition rooms, the museum showcases historical figures, with a prominent exhibition highlighting the role of women in the revolution. It showcases their roles as politicians, diplomats, and nation managers. Additionally, the museum serves as a center for educational activities, scientific seminars, and cultural exchanges.
Throughout history, the perception of modern women and traditional women has been a subject of debate. History has shown that women were not as respected as men, especially in Asian countries where women were often relegated to domestic roles such as cooking and childcare.
However, when you visit the Women’s Museum of South Vietnam, you will gain a different perspective on traditional Vietnamese women. Here, you will witness their strength in preserving the national culture, their dedication to the country’s development, and their unwavering commitment to defending the homeland during times of war. They were the backbone of the nation during revolutionary struggles.
People say that only men know how to fight in wars, and women do not, but this is entirely mistaken. The collection “Women’s Political Struggle in the South” includes over 1,000 photos and items, proving that during the war, women actively participated in protests, labor strikes, uprisings, and demonstrations for freedom, increased wages, compensation, anti-missile protests, or opposition to toxic chemical disposal.
Where is the South Vietnamese Women Museum Located?
- Address: 202 Vo Thi Sau, Ward 7, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City.
The South Vietnamese Women Museum in Ho Chi Minh City is located only 2.5 kilometers from Ben Thanh Market, making it easy for you to visit when staying in the city center.
Situated at 202 Vo Thi Sau, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, the Women’s Museum of South Vietnam has various collections with the aim of showcasing the desires and determination of previous generations of women to preserve and educate future generations about the love for their country and the national traditions of Vietnamese women. It is also an ideal place for international travelers visiting Vietnam.
Opening Hours of the South Vietnamese Women Museum in Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 7:30 AM – 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM from Sunday to Thursday.
Admission Fees for the South Vietnamese Women Museum – Reference
Admission to the Women’s Museum of South Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City is completely free for visitors.
Transportation Options to the South Vietnamese Women Museum
You can choose to rent a self-driving motorbike or a private car with a driver who can also serve as a guide to help you comfortably explore the modern and ancient beauty of this city, which is over 300 years old. Taking a bus is also a budget-friendly option, but it may take some time to reach the Women’s Museum of South Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City. Bus routes you can consider are 28 and 54.
Moreover, if you are seeking a fast and time-efficient mode of transportation while exploring various locations in Ho Chi Minh City, renting a private car service with a driver in Ho Chi Minh City from DanangPrivateCar.com is the optimal choice. Our professional drivers with basic English skills will pick you up from anywhere in Ho Chi Minh City and take you to your desired destination quickly.
Detailed Review of the South Vietnamese Women Museum
The Women’s Museum of South Vietnam displays numerous themes, but some of them are only occasionally exhibited. Here are 11 permanent exhibition themes at the museum:
- Traditional Southern Women before the Establishment of the Communist Party.
- Ho Chi Minh with Southern Women and Southern Women with Ho Chi Minh.
- The Formation and Development of Vietnamese Women’s Organizations.
- Southern Women after the National Reunification.
- Southern Women in Politics.
- Southern Women in the Military.
- Southern Women in Foreign Affairs.
- Southern Women in Colonial Prisons.
- The Belief and Worship of Lady Thien Hau – An Extraordinary Female Figure.
- Clothing and Jewelry of Vietnamese Women.
- Traditional Handicraft Weaving.
The museum holds 30,000 artifacts, which are divided into 24 collections. Here are three prominent collections in terms of information and the number of artifacts:
Collection of Ao Dai at the South Vietnamese Women Museum in Ho Chi Minh City
The Ao Dai has become Vietnam’s national dress. Over time, it has undergone many improvements, making Vietnamese Áo Dài increasingly aesthetic. The Ao Dai truly represents the nation’s traditional beauty and cultural essence, creating beautiful designs for Vietnamese women.
The Ao Dai collection includes 65 pieces displayed on the first floor. As you enter the room, on the left, there is a large brown plaque providing an overview of the historical changes in the Ao Dai, presented in Vietnamese, English, and French. Around the room, you’ll see various Ao Dai arranged in chronological order. Pay attention to the level of sophistication in the design of the Áo Dài over different periods, from 1744 to the present.
In the middle of the room, there are photos of significant women who dedicated their lives to the liberation and development of Vietnam.
Collection of the Legacy of Women Warriors in Two Wars
This collection is displayed on the second floor of the museum and is divided into four subtopics: political prisoners, foreign affairs, images of women fighting when the enemy attacked, and the long-haired army.
It may come as a surprise, but women from South Vietnam played a very important role in the victories of the wars in Vietnam. Immediately after its founding, the Communist Party of Vietnam initiated numerous political struggles. In the South, hundreds of protests and strikes took place.
These protests often involved the participation of many women, who not only demanded an end to beatings and fair wages for workers but also advocated for women’s rights. The public campaign for legality in the press was also launched as a women’s rights campaign.
Other forms of resistance, such as protests for civil and democratic rights, opposition to taxation, and anti-xenophobic demonstrations, also occurred strongly. This was evident in the August Revolution of 1945 and during the nine years of resistance against French colonial rule (1945-1954).
Over 1,000 photos and artifacts from the collection “Southern Women’s Political Struggle” are held by the Women’s Museum of South Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City, documenting the contributions of Southern women in the fight against French colonialism and the American empire.
On the left, there’s a sculpture called “Breastfeeding” by the artist Vũ Ba, and on the right is a painting titled “Mother and Child Reunion” by Lâm Hồng Long.
Collection of Labor Tools
Preserving and showcasing artifacts related to labor tools allows us to gain a deeper understanding of the role of women in the past and present in Vietnam. The Women’s Museum of South Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City has established a collection of 350 artifacts used in the production labor of women from the Truong Son – Tay Nguyen region, as well as the Vietnamese, Chinese, Cham, and Khmer ethnic groups.
The art of silk dyeing in Tan Chau, An Giang Province, was once renowned in the domestic and international markets in the 20th century.
Tips for Visiting the South Vietnamese Women Museum
The Women’s Museum of South Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City is designed with various areas, including the front courtyard, three floors, and ten rooms. Each floor has its own theme, and maps of each floor are displayed at the entrance, with explanations in both Vietnamese and English.
Front Courtyard
In the outdoor area, you’ll find a statue of the Heroic Vietnamese Mother wearing a traditional áo dài dress, standing at a height of 4.5 meters, leaving a strong impression on visitors. At the base of the statue are eight golden characters: “Heroic – Indomitable – Virtuous – Resilient,” a gift from Uncle Ho (Ho Chi Minh) to the women of Vietnam during the Vietnam War. The front courtyard is spacious and features lush greenery, including fan-shaped trees. There are also four paintings depicting Vietnamese women in traditional áo dài attire.
Ground Floor
The museum has an 800-seat auditorium, a library with 11,000 books, primarily focusing on women’s topics, and a film screening room on the ground floor of the new building.
First Floor
The first floor showcases the clothing and accessories of women from South Vietnam. It includes women’s accessories from the 20th century, such as bracelets, necklaces, rings, earrings, and more, along with decorative items like embroidered and beaded footwear. The first floor also features traditional costumes and áo dài dresses of ethnic women.
Traditional crafts of Southern ethnic women are highlighted, including looms used by Southern Vietnamese ethnic women to make fabric, a scene depicting Southern Vietnamese ethnic women soaking fabric in wooden tubs with dye, and the art of dyeing and weaving with various materials like gold, sesame oil for orange thread, and jackfruit root for black thread.
The exhibit “Ao dai – Essence of Vietnam” includes costumes of royal concubines from the Nguyen Dynasty in the 1920s, modern wedding áo dài, traditional wedding áo dài from the early 20th century, and traditional wedding áo dài from the 1960s and 1970s.
Second Floor
The second floor sections include the political struggle of female prisoners in South Vietnam, foreign affairs, women’s participation in the military, and the role of women in the armed forces.
Third Floor
This floor displays artifacts and images of Heroic Vietnamese Mothers, including prominent figures like Bui Thi Them, Do Thi Phuc, Doan Thi Nguyet, and others. An impressive statue of Heroic Mother Nguyen Thi Ranh, who had 8 sons and 2 grandchildren sacrificed during the Vietnam War, is featured. The floor also showcases diaries and mementos of Heroic Mother Tran Quang Man, as well as the betel palm of Heroic Mother Nguyễn Thanh Tung.
There are also exhibits related to President Ho Chi Minh and his interactions with women from the South: a statue of President Ho Chi Minh with children, large paintings about Vietnamese women in South Vietnam dedicated to President Hồ in 1969, books for women, President Ho badges, a memorial to Nguyen Thi Nguyen, Ao Dai(Dress) worn by Nguyen Thi Huyen, and a scarf worn by Nguyen Thi Dinh, the first female general in the People’s Army.
The role of Southern Vietnamese women in nation-building is also emphasized, including statistics on the representation of women in the National Assembly, famous female artists, athletes, track and field athletes, singers, and renowned poets in Vietnam.
Interesting Places Near the South Vietnamese Women Museum
The Museum of Southern Women, located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, provides an opportunity to explore some more interesting and entertaining places in the vicinity. Below is a list of fascinating and perfect stops for a diverse tour:
Ben Thanh Market
Ben Thanh Market, a cultural shopping icon of Saigon, is famous for its abundance of products and delicious food. Here, you can shop for a variety of fresh foods, unique handicrafts, and stylish fashion. Don’t miss the chance to try delicious local dishes at the market.
Independence Palace
Independence Palace, an important historical landmark in Vietnam, is where the country’s independence was declared in 1945. You can visit the historic palace and enjoy the lush green spaces in the garden.
Fine Arts Museum
This museum displays a variety of unique artworks from Vietnam and around the world. It’s a fantastic place to appreciate the distinct art and culture of the country.
Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon
A location near the Southern Women’s Museum is the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Saigon, often referred to as Notre-Dame Cathedral. Its full name is the Basilica of Our Lady of The Immaculate Conception.
The cathedral has a total length of 91 meters, a width of 35.5 meters, a central roof vault that rises to 21 meters, and two bell towers on either side, towering at nearly 57 meters. The architecture of Notre-Dame Cathedral strongly reflects the classic French architectural style and was constructed based on the design of architect J. Bourard. With its spacious and airy interior, it has become an iconic landmark of Saigon and a popular tourist destination for both domestic and international visitors when they arrive in Ho Chi Minh City.
Nguyen Hue Walking Street
Nguyen Hue Walking Street is one of the most appealing locations in Ho Chi Minh City, particularly when it comes to street food. Here, visitors can savor the distinctive cuisine of Saigon, including dishes like banh mi, pho, bun bo Hue, banh trang tron, che, and Taiwanese milk tea. With numerous renowned street food vendors such as Huynh Hoa Banh Mi, Pho Hoa, Bun Bo Hue O Le, Ba Thao Sweet Soup, and Taiwanese Milk Tea, tourists will have the opportunity to enjoy the delicious and unique dishes of Ho Chi Minh City.
These attractions are within short walking or driving distance from the Museum of Southern Women, making your journey diverse and enjoyable.
The South Vietnamese Women Museum is a highly recommended destination to add to your list of places to visit on your upcoming trip to Ho Chi Minh City. Above is what Danang Private Car’s has shared about their travel experiences at the South Vietnamese Women Museum, hoping it will help you have an enjoyable trip with your family
