The museum is located at 275 Au Co, Quang An Ward, Hanoi, on the land that used to be the Quang Ba Writing School of the Vietnam Writers Association in the 60s and 70s of the last century. This is where the imprints of great writers and poets are preserved, and is also a part of the country's literary heritage. The choice of this location not only shows respect for previous generations of writers but also creates a meaningful destination for future generations to learn and appreciate the cultural values left by their ancestors.
With an area of over 3,000 square meters, the Vietnam Literature Museum is divided into two main exhibition sections: outdoor and indoor, reflecting the entire development of Vietnamese literature through historical periods. The museum has two exhibition sections: outdoor and indoor.
The first floor has the central image of the "Sacred Stone" - a symbol of the pen and creative passion of generations of writers and poets.
In the outdoor exhibition area, ceramic reliefs depicting familiar legends and folk tales, along with 20 statues of prominent literary figures from ancient to medieval times, appear. These sculptures are not only art objects but also represent the rich and diverse folk literature of Vietnam, recalling traditional stories and poems imbued with national identity.
Outdoor space at the museum
For the indoor exhibition, with an exhibition area of over 2,000 square meters, this area is currently preserving thousands of artifacts and documents related to famous writers from the Ly Dynasty to the present. The indoor exhibition is arranged into three floors, each floor focusing on a special literary period of Vietnam.
- 1st floor: Here, visitors will encounter artifacts and documents about ancient and medieval literature (10th to 19th century). In addition, the museum also introduces the education and examination system of feudal times, creating a realistic and complete picture of the life, education, and examinations of ancient Vietnamese people.
- 2nd floor: This space honors writers who won the Ho Chi Minh Prize and introduces achievements in Vietnamese literature in the early 20th century. This floor also has the “Xom Choi Cultural Space” complex, a vivid model recreating the headquarters of the Vietnam Literature and Arts Association during the resistance war against France.
- 3rd floor: This is where the writers who won the State Prize are honored and the congresses of the Vietnam Writers Association are introduced. The 3rd floor helps visitors understand more about the role and contributions of writers in the country's literary and cultural movements. In addition to the main exhibitions, the museum also has thematic galleries "Vietnam's Rural Cultural Living Space" and "International Cooperation", giving visitors an insight into the culture of Vietnamese village life through literary works such as "Chi Pheo," "Tat Den," and cultural stories from ancient villages.
Artifacts and documents are displayed and reproduced.
The Vietnam Literature Museum has built a space to honor famous writers in the country's literary history such as Nguyen Du, Nguyen Trai, Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Nam Cao, Xuan Dieu, and many other authors. The exhibits such as writing desks, books, handwritten manuscripts, and personal belongings of famous writers are all true stories about their writing process and life.
Among the special artifacts in the museum, a prominent artifact right in the middle of the first floor is the “Sacred Stone” - a symbol of the pen and creative spirit of generations of writers, placed solemnly on the Dong Son bronze drum. This is not only a unique artifact but also a profound cultural symbol, reminding of the depth of national culture and the great contributions of writers in the construction of Vietnamese literature.
President Ho Chi Minh's letter
The Vietnam Literature Museum is not only a place to preserve precious artifacts but also a unique cultural address, taking visitors on a journey to discover the quintessence of Vietnamese literature through each historical period. Coming to the museum, you will feel the connection between culture, history, and literature, and at the same time better understand the cultural values of the nation. Here, visitors will have the opportunity to experience emotional literary stories, from legends and folk tales to modern literary works. The combination of indoor and outdoor exhibition areas, artifacts and stories, has created a rich and lively exhibition space, attracting visitors of all ages.
Not only is it a place to preserve valuable artifacts and documents about national literature, but it is also a meaningful cultural and educational address for the young generation and literature lovers. With the respect, preservation and promotion of literary values through the ages, the Vietnam Literature Museum is making a great contribution to the preservation and promotion of national cultural heritage. This is definitely a destination not to be missed when you come to Hanoi, to understand and appreciate more the cultural and literary values of the country.
Some other pictures at the museum:
Works of writers and poets through the ages
International Exchange and Cooperation Exhibition Room
Not only researching, collecting and preserving valuable documents and artifacts, the museum is also an attractive cultural destination.
