Vietnam Museum Of Fine Arts

Located at No. 66 Nguyễn Thái Học Street, it began receiving visitors on 24th June 1966. Here, scholars can study the evolution of Việt Nam’s architecture, sculpture, and fine arts. In the museum, there are many original works of art as well as reproductions including stone axe blades, statues, jewelry, wooden statues, silk paintings lacquer paintings Đông Hồ and Hàng Trống paintings, Mường skirt belts, Tày brocades, silver and copper bracelets and necklaces. These objects speak of Việt Nam’s civilization, talented artists, and of the optimistic and healthy visions of the Vietnamese. 

Visitors are able to see works of art dating to the Stone and Bronze Ages: stone bracelets, earrings and necklaces, all 2,000 to 3,000 years old; and bronze statues, drums, and jewels. Among the items on exhibit are works spanning from the Lý to the Trần dynasties (seven to eight centuries ago), when Việt Nam’s art reached its peak in architecture and sculpture. There is a ceramic tower with beautiful decorations; a pagoda door carved with the familiar motifs of dragon; large carvings of bodhi trees, people dancing and playing musical instruments; ceramics and terracotta articles with turquoise enamel; and lots of other objects.

Vietnam Museum Of Fine Arts

Works of art produced later still maintain some characteristics of the previous time but also have new features. These new features can be observed in the rooms of exhibits of the Lê, Tây Sơn and Nguyễn dynasties, which include architectural models and drawings, such as those of Tay Phương Pagoda and Dinh Bang Communal House. Sculptural masterpieces include the statue of Quan-yin with one thousand hands and one thousand eyes at But Thap Pagoda, and the statues of Arhats at Tay Phuong Pagoda. Also of interest are the sculptures from the pagodas that depict the simple daily lives of the ancient Vietnamese people. 

The works by Vietnamese artists during French domination all speak of theừ ability to absorb Western techniques and methods of creation while keeping and developing the national identities of Việt Nam. Silk and oil paintings on display are brilliant examples. The works by Tô Ngọc Vân, Nguyễn Phan Chánh and numerous other painters are categorized as valuable relics of Vietnamese art. It should be noted that Vietnamese artists have succeeded in using lacquer in theừ paintings. In the museum, one can see a variety of lacquer paintings by Vietnamese artists. Among the masters, Nguyễn Gia Trí occupies a particular position.

Vietnam Museum Of Fine Arts

The museum gives an impression that Vietnamese art has undergone a “renaissance” since the August Revolution in 1943. The paintings and sculptures made (luring the anti-French and anti- American resistance wars have distinct features in content, themes and style. The evolution of modern Vietnamese art is clearly reflected through the masterpieces of these periods.

The museum regularly holds exhibitions on typical periods of art development or on particular authors, both Vietnamese and foreigners. In the museum, there are big collections such as “Arts of Ethnic Minorities”, “Ancient Wooden Sculptures”, “30 Years of Lacquer Painting”, “Paintings and Statues on President Ho Chi Minh”, “Folk Painting”, etc.

The Việt Nam Museum of Fine Arts is really a treasure worthy of discovery.