What is Da Nang Museum about?
The Da Nang Museum focuses on the history, culture, and development of the city and its surrounding region. It covers everything from ancient artifacts and traditional lifestyles to wartime stories and modern-day progress. The museum is more visual than interactive, with well-organized displays and some multimedia elements. It’s the kind of place where you can walk through at your own pace and get a broad understanding of central Vietnam’s past—without needing to already know much about it.
Pro tip: If you’re specifically interested in Da Nang’s role during the Vietnam War, the Ho Chi Minh and the Fifth Military Zone Museum offers a more detailed, war-focused experience.
Museum update & expansion (2025)
The museum was expanded and updated in 2025, adding more exhibition space and improving the layout, so it now offers a more complete and comfortable experience.
Visiting information
Opening times
- Tuesday to Thursday, Saturday & Sunday
8:00 AM – 11:30 AM and 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM - Friday
8:00 AM – 11:30 AM - Monday
Closed
Entrance fee
- Entry is often free, especially during exhibitions or local events
- If not free, the ticket price is typically very low (under 20,000 VND)
Location
- 31 Tran Phu Street, Hai Chau District, Da Nang, Vietnam
- Just one street behind the Han River
- About 700 meters from Han Market and 1 km from Da Nang Fine Arts Museum
How to get there
If you’re staying near the Han River or around the city center, it’s an easy walk. From the beach area or My Khe side, the most convenient way is to take a taxi or book a ride using apps like Grab or the electric taxi service Xanh SM.
Audio guides or tours
Most exhibits include English translations, and there are audio guide options available via QR code at some displays. There’s no need to book in advance—just scan and listen as you go.
Highlights of the Da Nang Museum
The museum covers a wide range of topics across three themed floors. You’ll find everything from ancient artifacts and traditional life to wartime history and the stories of local ethnic communities. Here’s what to expect on each level:
1. First Floor – Nature, Ancient History & Daily Life
The ground floor gives you an overview of Da Nang’s geography, environment, and early history. Exhibits include information about the region’s natural resources, as well as tools, crafts, and items from daily life in the past. You’ll see displays about traditional local trades like rice paper making, stone carving, and fish sauce production, which are still part of the region’s culture today. It’s a gentle introduction to the area’s roots before diving into heavier historical content upstairs.
2. Second Floor – Wartime History
This floor focuses on Da Nang’s role in Vietnam’s modern conflicts, especially the wars against the French and the Americans. There are photographs, documents, weapons, and preserved objects that show what life was like during these turbulent times. Some displays cover Agent Orange, prison conditions, and the broader impact of war on local communities—so it’s one of the more intense parts of the museum. It’s a powerful section, but maybe not ideal for younger kids due to the heavy subject matter.
3. Third Floor – Ethnic Cultures of Central Vietnam
The top floor is dedicated to the cultural heritage of ethnic minority groups in Da Nang and neighboring provinces. You’ll find traditional clothing, musical instruments, tools, and jewelry—along with some multimedia elements. There’s also a small screening room that occasionally plays documentaries. The exhibits give a respectful look into the lives of communities like the Co Tu people, and how their traditions have shaped the region’s cultural identity.
Is it worth visiting?
The Da Nang Museum is a solid stop if you’re interested in the history of the city and central Vietnam in general. It’s best for travelers who enjoy museums that focus on real cultural context—things like traditional life, wartime history, and ethnic heritage. You don’t need to be an expert to enjoy it, but you do need a bit of patience to read and walk through the three floors.
The layout is straightforward, and the museum is clean, quiet, and not too crowded—unless you hit it during a school visit or holiday season. While there are some multimedia elements, the museum isn’t interactive in a modern sense. It’s more of a visual and informative experience, so it might not hold the attention of younger kids for very long, especially on the war floor, which includes some heavy topics.
If you’re staying in the city center, it’s easy to visit without needing much planning, and it’s a great way to get a deeper understanding of Da Nang beyond the beaches. It’s not a must-see for everyone, but for history lovers or anyone curious about the city’s past, it’s definitely worth the time.
Pro Tip: Want to explore more museums in the city? Check out our full guide to the best museums in Da Nang to see which ones are worth your time—whether you’re into war history, Cham sculpture, or something more interactive.
