{"id":6130,"date":"2021-03-31T11:35:56","date_gmt":"2021-03-31T03:35:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/?p=6130"},"modified":"2022-02-05T00:06:17","modified_gmt":"2022-02-04T16:06:17","slug":"museum-of-ethnology","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/museum-of-ethnology\/","title":{"rendered":"Vietnam Museum of Ethnology: Showcasing Vietnamese Minority Communities, Their Ways Of Life & Fertility Celebrations"},"content":{"rendered":"

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi<\/h2>\n
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While over 85% of the modern Vietnamese people belong to the Kinh ethnicity, the country is home to 53 other ethnic minorities living in more secluded areas. Each has their own language, beliefs, and lifestyle, yet they all contribute to shaping the Vietnamese culture as a whole.<\/p>\n

For culture and history buffs keen to learn more about the people of Vietnam, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology\u00a0in Hanoi<\/strong> exhibits relics, real-life models, and picture galleries reflecting the lives of different ethnic groups that\u2019ll give you a glimpse into how diverse Vietnamese culture really is.<\/p>\n

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Indoor space with exhibits of daily life objects<\/h3>\n
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\nImage credit: B\u1ea3o t\u00e0ng D\u00e2n t\u1ed9c h\u1ecdc Vi\u1ec7t Nam – Vietnam Museum of Ethnology<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Opened in 1997 and located west of the Tay Ho Lake, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology’s main building is shaped like a \u0110\u00f4ng S\u01a1n drum – inspired by the bronzework of northern Vietnamese \u0110\u00f4ng S\u01a1n communities.<\/p>\n

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\nImage credit: Vietnam Museum of Ethnology<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The main building of the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is divided into 12 sections that pay tribute to all 54 Vietnamese ethnic groups. Here, you can find objects commonly used in their daily lives on display, as well as replicas and dioramas that recreate important activities in their cultures, such as their crafts, rituals, and ceremonies.<\/p>\n

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\nImage credit: @muffinsandmountains<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Each exhibit comes with a sign providing information about it in Vietnamese, English, and French.<\/p>\n

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\nImage credit: @candy_keovilay<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

There\u2019s also a second building dedicated to exhibits about different ethnic groups in the Southeast Asian region.<\/p>\n

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\nEthnic communities’ traditional outfits are displayed here
\nImage credit: @kftv<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Again, you can drop by to learn more about their daily lives, social structures, arts, crafts, and spiritual beliefs.<\/p>\n

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\nImage credit: Vietnam Museum of Ethnology<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

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Outdoor space with life-size house models<\/h3>\n
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\nImage credit: @mai.phuong.phung<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Outside, the expansive yard houses many life-size models of the signature buildings of various ethnic minorities. One of the highlights here is nh\u00e0 R\u00f4ng, <\/em>a type of house popular in the T\u00e2y Nguy\u00ean region, characterized by its tall roof. A nh\u00e0 R\u00f4ng<\/em> is considered the administrative center of a village, and is where all important events take place.<\/p>\n

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\nImage credit: @davenguyen1989<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Another fascinating building is the tomb of the Gia Rai people, which is surrounded by statues of couples performing intercourse.<\/p>\n

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\nImage credit: @kim_syril<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The statues reflect the Gia Rai community’s customs of celebrating death and life together.<\/p>\n

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\nImage credit: @ashika_laughs<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Indeed, the celebration of fertility and birth is a common theme in the beliefs of many ethnic groups. The \u00ca \u0110\u00ea community, for instance, display wooden carvings of a woman\u2019s breasts in front of their houses underneath a crescent moon \u2013 another symbol of femininity. The carvings reflect the \u00ca \u0110\u00ea people\u2019s high regard for both fertility and female powers, as their society is a matriarchal one.<\/p>\n

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\nImage credit: Vietnam Museum of Ethnology<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Aside from the regular exhibits, the museum also hosts events during special occasions. In February 2019, for instance, there was an event to commemorate the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, where visitors got to enjoy live demonstrations of calligraphy writing and b\u00e1nh ch\u01b0ng <\/em>making, as well as participate in traditional games such as tug of war and stilt-walking.<\/p>\n

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Visit the Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi<\/h3>\n
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With its expansive collection of relics and exhibits, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is a destination that culture or history enthusiasts should not miss out on in Hanoi. A trip here is sure to broaden your horizons.<\/p>\n

Address:<\/strong> <\/span>Nguy\u1ec5n V\u0103n Huy\u00ean Street, C\u1ea7u Gi\u1ea5y District, Hanoi
\nOpening hours:<\/strong> <\/span>Tue\u2013Sun 8.30AM-5.30PM | Closed on Mondays
\nTelephone:<\/strong><\/span> 02437562193
\nAdmission fee:<\/span> <\/strong><\/span>VND40,000 (~USD1.73)\u00a0 (adults), VND20,000 (~USD0.87, college and university students), VND10,000 (~USD0.43, high school students or younger)
\n50% off for elderly and disabled visitors, and for visitors from Vietnamese ethnic minority groups
\nFree for children under 6, severely disabled visitors, donors, ICOM, Friend Of The Museum, and journalist cardholders
\nWebsite<\/a><\/p>\n

Learn more about Vietnamese culture here:<\/p>\n