{"id":9279,"date":"2021-09-24T14:51:12","date_gmt":"2021-09-24T06:51:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/?p=9279"},"modified":"2021-09-24T15:05:30","modified_gmt":"2021-09-24T07:05:30","slug":"hcmc-city-fine-arts-museum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/hcmc-city-fine-arts-museum\/","title":{"rendered":"Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum: A Mansion With 99 Doors & 21,000 Artworks"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum, the mansion of Hui Bon Hoa<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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No trip to Saigon is completed without a visit to<\/span> Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum<\/b>, a colonial-era architecture that still retains much of its original, stately grandeur.<\/span><\/p>\n

This used to be the residence of property tycoon <\/span>Hui Bon Hoa, one of the richest men in Indochina<\/span><\/a> in the late 19th and early 20th century. After 1975, the government converted the mansion into a museum, where over 21,000 artworks and craft items are now exhibited.<\/span><\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019re a fine art aficionado or a history buff, this century-old museum will fascinate you to no end. It\u2019s no surprise that former US President Bill Clinton paid a visit to the museum during his first visit to Vietnam in November 2000.<\/span><\/p>\n

Without further ado, let\u2019s take a look at one of Saigon\u2019s most beautiful architectural sites among the few historical heritage buildings that are still standing.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Prime location right across from the iconic B\u1ebfn Th\u00e0nh Market<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\nImage adapted from: <\/span>VnExpress<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Situated on 97 Ph\u00f3 \u0110\u1ee9c Ch\u00ednh Street, it faces Qu\u00e1ch Th\u1ecb Trang Roundabout and is right across the B\u1ebfn Th\u00e0nh Market – every tourist\u2019s shopping paradise. The compound, however, also fronts three streets – Ph\u00f3 \u0110\u1ee9c Ch\u00ednh, Nguy\u1ec5n Th\u00e1i B\u00ecnh, and L\u00ea Th\u1ecb H\u1ed3ng G\u1ea5m in District 1.<\/span><\/p>\n

Built in 1929 and completed in 1934, Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum used to be the residence of the Hui Bon Hoa family and their real estate office.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nImage credit: <\/span>@manhluat.jpeg<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The main gates of the museum open to an estate that measures 4,000 square meters, on which three opulent mansions sit. Most first-time visitors can\u2019t help but be impressed with the magnificence of this property.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The grandest mansion on this site was formerly known as the Thang Hung Mansion, and is home to a wide collection of modern arts and the main exhibition venue. In this article, we\u2019ll delve mainly into this venue, which is perched on the north side of the compound.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Remember that you can\u2019t use a digital camera here to take photos or record videos. If you intend to do so for work purposes, please contact the museum management in advance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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A spectacular fusion between art nouveau<\/em> and Asian elements<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\nImage credit: <\/span>Th\u1ec3 Thao V\u0103n H\u00f3a<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The Thang Hung Mansion’s yellow, decorative architecture is an awe-inspiring fusion between splendid <\/span>art nouveau<\/span><\/em> and traditional Asian elements.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Featuring a U-shaped, 3-level concrete structure with a rectangular courtyard in the back, the abundance of floral-patterned Corinthian columns and stained glass that graces the arched doorways and corridors give the structure a sophisticated, European charm.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nImage adapted from: <\/span>VnExpress<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Overhanging the building\u2019s elaborately fashioned vaulted eaves and Rococo-style wrought-iron balconies is a traditional Asian tiled roof adorned with ceramic motifs, broad eaves, and decadent facades.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nImage adapted from: <\/em><\/span>VnExpress<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The roof also has a rooster weathervane, which is one of the world\u2019s oldest decorative ornaments often found on the domes of Catholic churches all over the world. In Biblical terms, this emblem symbolizes Peter\u2019s betrayal of Jesus, which took place when a rooster crowed. Hui Bon Hoa\u2019s family were reportedly devout Catholics, so this might explain why they put a rooster weathervane up there.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The deck is adorned with stone balustrade stairs that lead to an arched doorway ornamented with wrought-iron patterns that form the letters \u201cHBH\u201d, short for \u201cHui Bon Hoa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nImage credit: <\/span><\/em>@mahmaddievibes<\/span><\/em>
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As you walk through the door, you\u2019ll enter a decadent grand hall decked out with Italian porcelain tiled floors, a high ceiling, and elegant archways leading to the corridors and other rooms. The walls are painted in cream white and faded yellow to create a sense of coolness amid the 24\/7 hot climate of Saigon.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nImage credit: <\/span><\/em>@tmtgon<\/span><\/em>
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In front of you is a beautiful staircase and an old-fashioned elevator that\u2019s still working, though not available to visitors.<\/span>
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\n<\/span>Before walking up the staircase, let\u2019s linger on the ground floor for a while and take a tour around its exhibition venue.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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A broad collection of Vietnamese arts and crafts\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\nImage adapted from: <\/span><\/em>Hoa Thai<\/span><\/em>
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The ground floor of the Thang Hung Mansion used to be the office of the Hui-Bon-Hoa real estate company. Today, its galleries are devoted to showcasing a wide range of modern artworks <\/span>from 1975 onwards, <\/span>from silk paintings to lacquerware to wood crafts.<\/span><\/p>\n

A majority of these paintings and lacquerware are created by southern artists such as \u0110o\u00e0n V\u0103n Nguy\u00ean, \u0110\u1ed7 Duy Tu\u1ea5n, and L\u00ea Th\u00e1nh Th\u01b0.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

For modern art works and a rare collection of antiques that predate 1975, ascend to the upper floors.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here, you\u2019ll find a wide selection of works such as sculptures in stone, ceramics, wood, and bronze, paintings, and drawings.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

For example, you\u2019ll be fascinated by hundreds of artifacts that date back to an old civilization in the Mekong Delta called V\u0103n H\u00f3a \u00d3c Eo from the 2nd to the 6th century.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Judging from the excavated objects, we can tell that the \u00d3c Eo people were skilled in making jewelry and coins out of copper, gold, and silver.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nImage credit: <\/span><\/em>B\u00e1o Tin T\u1ee9c<\/span><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Those looking for the masterpieces of renowned painter Nguy\u1ec5n Gia Tr\u00ed (1908-1993), a pioneer in using lacquerware technique in painting, can also find many of his works here.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For a glimpse of what art was like during the time of South Vietnam (1955-1975), check out the old works done by masters Nguy\u1ec5n Trung and H\u1ed3 H\u1eefu Th\u1eed. Through their paintings, you\u2019ll find that the art culture of the west, such as abstract expressionism, heavily influenced the local artists of this time.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nV\u01b0\u1eddn xu\u00e2n B\u1eafc Trung Nam by Nguy\u1ec5n Gia Tr\u00ed
\n<\/span>Image credit: <\/span>@anhdang___<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Of all these artistic treasures, the most famous of them is probably a painting called V\u01b0\u1eddn xu\u00e2n B\u1eafc Trung Nam<\/em> (Spring Garden in the North-South-Middle) of the renowned painter and master of lacquerware Nguy\u1ec5n Gia Tr\u00ed. This painting was acquired by the museum\u2019s management for USD100,000 in 1991.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nImage<\/span> credit: <\/span>@thlinh96<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

For an insta-worthy picture that captures much of the Thang Hung Mansion\u2019s spectacular architecture in the background, navigate the narrow corridors to an airy overpass that connects two wings of the mansion. From this spot, you can also enjoy great views of the yard and the surrounding area.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As you descend to the ground floor, look to your left. Next to the elevator is a staircase that goes down and leads you to the backyard, as well as the rear entrance.<\/span><\/p>\n

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At this gorgeous arch entrance that looks like the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, you\u2019ll stumble on a marble plaque that lists the names of the masters of this estate – Hui Bon Hoa\u2019s sons.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A number of pre-1975 bronze statues of famous local figures, such as Qu\u00e1ch \u0110\u00e0m, a renowned Vietnamese-Chinese businessman, and Tr\u01b0\u01a1ng V\u0129nh K\u1ef3, a legendary scholar, are also displayed in the yard. <\/span><\/p>\n

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\nStatue of Tr\u01b0\u01a1ng V\u0129nh K\u1ef3 in the yard<\/em><\/p>\n

During weekends, students often gather here for drawing lessons and art workshops.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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After exiting the mansion, walk to the south of the compound and you\u2019ll find two smaller mansions in white, which used to be the private residences of Hui Bon Hoa\u2019s sons. Many years have passed and these estates have been refurbished, but they still retain their original architectural elements.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

You can go inside for a look at several collections of antiquities, such as the Champa artifacts that trace back to the 7th century.<\/span><\/p>\n

At this point, you might realize that there\u2019s too much to see and explore in this gigantic art space. Truth be told, local visitors always come back for more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Historical mansion with an urban legend\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Not only will a trip to Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum educate you about Vietnam\u2019s history and heritage, but it\u2019ll also inspire you to discover more about our people\u2019s ways of life through various periods.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, if your instincts tell you that there\u2019s more about this place than just a remarkable architecture and an incredible collection of artwork, you\u2019re right.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This museum is also home to one of Saigon\u2019s most famous urban legends called <\/span>The Ghost of the H\u1ee9a<\/span><\/i> family, which we\u2019ll bring you in detail in our next feature.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Admission fee<\/b>:<\/b><\/span> VND30,000 (~USD1.32)
\n<\/span>Address:<\/b><\/span> 97 Ph\u00f3 \u0110\u1ee9c Ch\u00ednh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
\n<\/span>Opening hours:<\/b><\/span> 9AM-5PM, Daily
\n<\/span>Telephone:<\/b><\/span> 028 3829 4441<\/span><\/p>\n

Website<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Also check out:<\/span><\/p>\n