Vietnam Traditional Medicine Museum - a humble haven amidst bustling Saigon.

Saigon is noisy, Saigon is bustling. That's what people often say about Saigon. But beyond that noise and hustle, this 300-year-old city still embraces nostalgic values ​​that are truly something to be proud of. Let's temporarily forget about modern technology and cutting-edge science, and we invite you to visit a unique private museum in Saigon, which preserves medical knowledge passed down from the ancestors of the Vietnamese people.

The Vietnam Traditional Medicine Museum (VTCM) is a private museum, built by the pharmaceutical company FITO since 2007, nestled in a humble corner right next to the bustling restaurants of Ky Hoa area, and less than 500 meters from the busy Ba Thang Hai street.

From the outside, the Vietnam Traditional Medicine Museum doesn't look particularly remarkable given its modest area of ​​about 100 square meters.²With a ground floor and five upper floors, the interior is reportedly repurposed from an old house in Hanoi. Artisans dismantled the pillars, bricks, and stones, transporting them to Ho Chi Minh City to recreate the traditional interior of an old Vietnamese house. Every brick, roof tile, and pillar is meticulously crafted, complementing a comprehensive collection of works deeply rooted in long-standing cultural and historical heritage.

Meticulously crafted collections

As a museum dedicated to traditional medicine, it naturally houses numerous collections of medicinal herbs known for their therapeutic uses; tools used in the preparation and preservation of medicines; and even traditional herbal remedies passed down through generations, such as Chí Bảo Đơn and Minh Mạng Thang… All are arranged scientifically with creative and eye-catching displays. Throughout the museum's space, the role of natural medicinal herbs is emphasized, as reflected in the proud saying of Zen master Tuệ Tĩnh: "Southern medicine treats Southern people."

Recreating history

The Vietnam Traditional Medicine Museum's space is steeped in history, featuring artifacts from prehistoric times and recreating images of pharmacies and medicine preparation methods that visitors can try themselves, making the visit more interesting.

A notable exhibit at the museum is a wood carving depicting the names of 100 renowned physicians and authors of traditional medicine from the 11th century to the present day, such as Tuệ Tĩnh and Hải Thượng Lãn Ông - Lê Hữu Trác. The carving is rendered in the image of a large tree with sturdy roots, accompanied by the names of the first physicians who laid the foundation for traditional medicine. As it rises, the canopy spreads, representing the vigorous development of the medical field, and at the top, new shoots continue to grow ever taller. This artwork, titled "Bách Gia Y" (or "Tree of Vietnamese Physicians"), weighs 500 kg and was completed by numerous artisans working for many months.

Besides experiencing a nostalgic atmosphere, you can also gain some basic health care knowledge here. Don't miss the film screening on traditional medicine, as well as how the body moves according to the five elements, and enjoy a hot cup of tea at the end of this fascinating tour.

Contact information:

Private Museum of Vietnamese Traditional Medicine

Address: 41 Hoang Du Khuong Street, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City

Entrance fee: 120,000 VND/adult, 60,000 VND/student, child under 1.2m (includes Vietnamese/English commentary)

Opening hours: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Tuesday to Sunday

Email: museum@fito.vn

Phone number: 0986900267 (Thanh Hang)

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