VI
EN
Throughout human history, women have always played an extremely important role, not only in building and preserving the family home, but also in directly participating in the preservation and development of the nation's traditional cultural values. Regardless of the era or country, women have always been mothers, sisters, wives, companions, endless sources of inspiration, and symbols of resilience, patience, and compassion.
In Hanoi, the Vietnam Women's Museum is a special cultural site, a sacred space to honor and acknowledge the immense contributions of Vietnamese women throughout history. The museum is not only a repository of valuable artifacts and documents, but also a vibrant story about the journey of Vietnamese women's rise and their affirmation of their role and position in society.
The exhibition space celebrates the beauty of Vietnam.
Located on one of Hanoi's most beautiful streets – 36 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi – the museum is a place where visitors can learn about the role and importance of Vietnamese women in the cultural and historical development of the country. Currently, this Hanoi museum houses valuable documents and content, displayed in a scientific and impressive manner, about the stories of women from all regions, and the profound, silent contributions and sacrifices of Vietnamese women in the past, present, and future.
The Vietnam Women's Museum is a place that preserves documents and displays artifacts to honor the role and value of Vietnamese women.
In 1987, the Vietnam Women's Museum was established, under the auspices of the Vietnam Women's Union. Ms. Nguyen Thi Dinh, former President of the Vietnam Women's Union, laid the foundation for the museum's creation. This project is considered a promise made by Ms. Nguyen Thi Dinh to Vietnamese women. Construction began in 1991 and the museum was officially inaugurated and opened to visitors in 1995.
In 2010, the museum was upgraded to a new permanent exhibition system. The three overarching themes at the museum are: Women in the Family, Women in History, and Women's Fashion. In addition, there is a special section on the Mother Goddess worship, divided into four parts: Mother, Heart, Beauty, and Joy.
From 2015 to 2016, the Vietnam Women's Museum made a strong mark on the cultural and tourism map, affirming its position as one of the most attractive destinations in Asia. One of the most memorable milestones was the Vietnam Women's Museum being ranked among the top 25 most attractive museums in Asia by the famous travel website TripAdvisor. This is proof of the museum's special appeal to domestic and international tourists, and confirms the quality of service and experience it offers.
Preserving the values of women, past and present.
The first floor of the Vietnam Women's Museum serves as a souvenir shop, where you can find a variety of museum-specific products such as postcards, bookmarks, and other materials including paintings, books, newspapers, and successful exhibitions from the museum.
A souvenir shop featuring meticulously crafted handcrafted items.
The second floor of the museum is a special space where visitors can explore the life journey of Vietnamese women, from the first steps in marriage, through the sacred role of motherhood, to the important role of the wife in organizing and nurturing family life, regardless of their ethnicity. Precious traditional values are vividly recreated through customs, traditional rituals, and folk knowledge and experience in marriage.
In this space, we will explore the life stories of Vietnamese women.
From the initial steps in marriage and fulfilling the role of motherhood to the crucial role of a wife in organizing family life, this is a common experience in many different ethnic groups.
Stepping into this space, visitors will have the opportunity to admire the unique traditional wedding ceremonies of various Vietnamese ethnic groups, both in matriarchal and patriarchal societies. These ceremonies are authentically and vividly recreated through artistic photographs and emotionally evocative films. Visitors will have the chance to see exquisite engagement gifts, magnificent wedding attire, and meaningful wedding invitations, all of which are testaments to the richness and diversity of Vietnamese wedding culture.
Traditional values will be revived through customs, rituals, folk knowledge, and experiences in marriage.
Beyond simply recreating rituals, the second floor of the museum focuses on showcasing everyday items associated with the lives of Vietnamese women from the past to the present. These items are not only essential but also symbols of the important role women play in caring for and nurturing their families.
Everyday items associated with Vietnamese women are also displayed here.
Passing through the western door of the family space, you will enter an exhibition space celebrating the mystical and authentic Mother Goddess worship, recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage in need of preservation. The three main elements of the exhibition are "Pure Heart," "Beauty," and "Joy," all representing traditional beauty.
The third floor of the Vietnam Women's Museum is a sacred and moving space, honoring the courageous and resilient images of Vietnamese women in the two wars of resistance against French colonialism and American imperialism. It preserves the stories of women who selflessly sacrificed their lives and blood to contribute to the nation's resounding victories, serving as a strong support base for the front lines and a great source of moral encouragement for soldiers on the battlefield.
The image of a heroic and courageous Vietnamese woman.
Stepping into this space, visitors will admire moving portraits of Vietnamese Heroic Mothers, mothers who sacrificed their beloved children for the Fatherland. On the walls, posters and propaganda images about the wars are displayed, recreating the glorious historical moments of the nation. A special corner is dedicated to showcasing the image of Vietnamese women in the modern era – dynamic, creative women who contribute to building a prosperous and beautiful country.
Here, the museum displays many portraits of Vietnamese Heroic Mothers. On the walls, you will see many posters and propaganda pictures about the wars.
The exhibition space on the third floor not only showcases the role of generations of women in the war but also delves into every aspect of their daily lives during the resistance period. The moving stories of their lives, sacrifices, and losses for national independence and reunification are conveyed profoundly, touching the hearts of every viewer.
Heroes who survived the war.
On the 4th floor of the museum, you can admire the traditional costumes of all 54 ethnic groups. Here, you will be impressed by the sophistication in makeup techniques, weaving art, skillful silver jewelry making, and the exquisitely crafted natural teeth of women in the past. In particular, you can identify whether a woman is married or not through the characteristics of her clothing.
The museum creates many activities aimed at connecting generations.
Since its inauguration, the Vietnam Women's Museum has continuously strived to improve and innovate its exhibitions and displays. The museum has organized many unique cultural events, introducing to domestic and international visitors valuable collections of artifacts and documents with profound historical and cultural significance related to Vietnamese women. These activities not only help visitors better understand the history and culture of Vietnamese women but also contribute to spreading the positive values of Vietnamese culture to the world.
