The Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum

From past to present, the Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum has always been a highly renowned cultural and artistic exploration destination in Ho Chi Minh City. It is also considered a virtual living paradise for the youth of Saigon. In today’s article, let’s explore this place together with DanangPrivateCar.com.

Overview of the Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum

• Address: 97A P. Duc Chinh, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
• Opening hours: 8:00 – 17:00.
• Museum admission prices are as follows:
  • Adults: 30,000 VND/person;
  • Children from 6 to 16 years old, students, seniors, people with disabilities: 15,000 VND/person;
  • Children under 6 years old: Free admission.

The Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum was started construction in 1987 and it wasn’t until 1991 that it began its operation. Today, the museum is considered a fascinating art exploration destination in Ho Chi Minh City.

It can be said that the Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum is strategically located on the most valuable land in Saigon, surrounded by major roads in the city such as Pho Duc Chinh – Le Thi Hong Gam – Calmette – Nguyen Thai Binh. Furthermore, from the museum, you can also explore many other famous landmarks such as Ben Thanh Market, Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon, Independence Palace, Nguyen Hue Walking Street,…

Directions to the Museum

Situated just 10.2km from the city center, getting here is very convenient. You will travel through routes such as Truong Chinh Street, Cong Hoa Street, then onto Nguyen Van Troi Street, Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street. From there, head towards the Central Prison Liaison Office and onto Ly Tu Trong Street to reach the museum.

Transportation to the Museum

To reach the Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum, visitors can choose personal vehicles such as motorcycles or cars, or take the bus with various bus routes depending on the starting point:

• Bus route 01: From Ben Thanh to Cho Lon Bus Station
• Bus route 102: From Saigon Bus Station to Nguyen Van Linh Street – Mien Tay Bus Station
• Bus route 34: From Saigon Bus Station to District 8 Bus Station
• Bus route 39: From Saigon Bus Station to Vo Van Kiet and Mien Tay Bus Station
• Bus route 38: From Tan Quy Residential Area to Dam Sen Bus Station. Operating hours from 5:15 AM to 7:00 PM
• Bus route 44: From District 4 Port to Binh Quoi
• Bus route 86: From Saigon Bus Station to Ton Duc Thang University – Cau Long Kieng

Additionally, for convenient and fast transportation, private car rental services with drivers in Ho Chi Minh City are an ideal option. Travelers can choose the reliable and quality service of DanangPrivateCar.com to experience a cool and modern space. Moreover, with the pre-scheduled pick-up and drop-off service, you can plan your transportation in Ho Chi Minh City more efficiently.

Architecture Infused with Artistic Spirit at the Fine Arts Museum

When you see the Fine Arts Museum, you might be overwhelmed by the famous Baroque architectural style from the early 20th century in France – a grand and somewhat enchanting appearance resulting from the unique blend of Eastern and Western architectural beauty.

The museum predominantly uses golden hues, with golden walls, red roofs, and intricate green-glazed tile edges. It is this skillful combination that gives the Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum an aura of antiquity, grandeur, and tremendous prominence amidst the bustling Saigon.

Furthermore, upon entering the museum, you will be in awe of the meticulously crafted interior architecture that exudes high artistic value. Each ornate window panel, with symmetrical patterns, invites sunlight to illuminate the entire space.

If the floor is adorned with various patterned ceramic tiles, the staircase is even more carefully crafted, embellished with luxurious marble tiles, creating an irresistibly attractive beauty. For this reason, many young visitors choose to check in at the staircase whenever they come here.

History of the Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum

This magnificent building formerly belonged to Mr. Chú Hỏa and the Hứa family, carrying within it mysterious stories that have endured for over 100 years.

Mr. Chú Hỏa, a wealthy businessman of Chinese descent, was the richest man in Saigon in the first half of the 20th century. His family owned numerous villas throughout the Saigon – Gia Định – Chợ Lớn region, and he made significant contributions to the city’s development during that era.

In addition to the villas, he also constructed various civic structures such as hospitals and pagodas to serve the Saigon community. Some of these structures still exist today, including the Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum, Majestic Hotel Saigon, Tu Du Hospital, Saigon General Hospital, Government Guest House, Ky Vien Pagoda, Phung Son Pagoda, along with many banks and business headquarters in District 5.

In 1929, the Chú Hỏa family built a mansion with a luxurious and classical Baroque style, a perfect blend of French and Chinese architecture designed by the architect Rivera. The house was completed in 1934.

After 1975, amidst the changing times, Mr. Chú Hỏa and his family left Saigon to settle in France, and the military took over the building.

In 1987, the building became the establishment site for the Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum. In 1992, the museum officially opened to the public.

In 2012, the museum was recognized as a city-level architectural and artistic monument.

Since then, the museum has become a repository and exhibition space for numerous famous artworks, precious artifacts, valuable sculptures, and paintings with significant historical, cultural, and artistic value.

Experience of Visiting the Fine Arts Museum

Guide to exploring the entire museum

Currently, the Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum exhibits and preserves a multitude of highly artistic and aesthetic objects made from various unique materials such as mother-of-pearl, wood, ceramics, etc. To help you easily explore and admire all the artworks in the Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum, DanangPrivateCar.com shares information about the three main exhibition areas:

• The first building: This area displays over 21,000 artistic objects divided into valuable collections. Notable among them are contemporary art collections such as the Anti-War Painting Collection or works by famous artists from the Indochina and Gia Dinh art schools, as well as the spiritual descendants of talented artists such as Nguyen Gia Tri, Diep Minh Chau, Dinh Ru, Nguyen Sang, Quach Phong, all of whom carry the distinctive artistic characteristics of Ho Chi Minh City and the Southern region.

• The second building: This is the venue for regular art exhibitions in general and fine arts in particular. According to estimates, each year there will be 10 to 25 large-scale exhibitions featuring paintings by Vietnamese and international artists (including ASEAN countries, Russia, Japan, China, Thailand, Italy, and many other countries).

• The third building: In this area, you can learn about ancient or pre-modern art, and at the same time, have the opportunity to admire works made from unique materials such as ceramics, wood, and stones from prehistoric cultures like Oc Eo and Champa.

Thanks to their unique and prominent architecture, all three buildings of the Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum are recognized as outstanding architectural and artistic monuments at the city level.

Rules to Note When Visiting

When visiting the Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum, remember the following rules in your travel guide for a fantastic experience while also avoiding inconveniences to those around you:

• Choose appropriate attire when visiting the museum.
• Park your vehicle in designated areas to avoid causing congestion for others.
• If you need a guide to explain the exhibited artworks, don’t hesitate to ask the staff at the ticket counter or building number 1.
• Safety is emphasized everywhere, so when enjoying fine arts, bring only a soul that appreciates beauty and avoid carrying inflammable substances, hazardous materials, or weapons.
• Inside the museum, store your luggage, backpacks, and travel bags in designated areas, but do not leave money or valuables in your luggage.
• Maintain cleanliness and environmental aesthetics by not smoking, making noise, sitting on railings, or near windows.
• The exhibited objects in the museum are for viewing and smelling, but please refrain from touching them.
• Do not bring food into the exhibition rooms, as the smell or crumbs may disturb others.
• Filming and taking photos inside the exhibition rooms may require additional fees, so be sure to inquire with the staff.

Artistic Photo Corners at the Fine Arts Museum

Indulging in the trend of virtual living at the Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum will provide you with an unforgettable experience where every corner is picturesque. From the moment you step into the museum, you won’t be able to resist capturing the “picture-perfect” moments that the ambiance here offers.

The Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum, with its classical charm, is a virtual paradise that you cannot afford to miss. Dominated by golden hues and adorned with ancient spaces, every corridor, window, or floor tile crystallizes into a European artistic masterpiece.

This place offers numerous Instagrammable corners for you to freely choose from. From the outside, the museum already presents a unique beauty with its stained glass windows and patterns. This creates an allure and sophistication that is unparalleled in Saigon.

 

The corridors inside the museum are an unmissable stopping point. Sunbeams shining through the windows create a harmonious blend of classical and modern spaces. The photos taken here will undoubtedly leave you satisfied and singing praises.

In summary, the Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum is always an ideal virtual living destination that you cannot miss. Especially if you are a soul that loves art, this place will provide you with cultural and artistic experiences that cannot be found anywhere else.