The Best Museums in Hoi An | Complete Guide
You’ve wandered the lantern-lit streets, taken your photos, and now you’re wondering what else to do in Hoi An? Go visit a museum. I know, it’s not the first thing that comes to mind. But honestly, some of them are really worth it and not just if you’re into history.
Whether you want to understand Hoi An’s trading past, learn more about Vietnam’s ethnic diversity, or just enjoy a quiet break, the museums here deserve a visit. Some are free, others are included with the Old Town ticket.
Here are the ones I’ve tried and actually recommend, with my honest opinion.
The Best Museums in Hoi An
Hoi An’s museums help tell the story of how the city became one of Vietnam’s most beautiful and iconic urban gems.
Its history begins at the Hoi An Museum of History, which offers a great first chapter in the saga of this ancient town.
1. Precious Heritage Museum of Hoi An
Address: 26 Phan Boi Chau – [Website] – Opening hours: 8am to 8pm, daily
Hoi An’s must-visit museum.
This museum is the result of a 10-year project by French photographer Réhahn, who is based in Hoi An. A well-known visual storyteller and photographer in Vietnam, Réhahn opened the Precious Heritage Museum as both an art gallery and an explorer’s museum.
The space houses photos, music, videos, and traditional costumes documenting all 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam. Each group is represented by a giant photograph, the actual costume, and a short story displayed in French, English, and Vietnamese.
This is a private museum and free of charge, so you don’t need to use your Old Town ticket here. It’s truly one of the best ways to get a glimpse into Vietnam’s diversity.
The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi is the only place where you’ll find a more comprehensive collection on the subject. But this museum does a fantastic job promoting awareness and appreciation for some of Vietnam’s most vulnerable ethnic communities.
What I liked…
- The museum is free
- The museum is in English and in French
- Authentic costumes
- Beautiful photos
2. Hoi An Folklore Museum
Address: 33 Nguyen Thai Hoc St – Opening hours: 7:00 AM to 9:30 PM daily; closed on the 20th of each month
This beautiful two-storey ancient house is home to the Hoi An Folklore Museum. It is the largest two-storey wooden building in the Old Town (57 meters long and 9 meters wide).
Visiting the museum is a great way to spend an hour of your time. The building itself is stunning, and walking through the museum gives you a strong sense of Hoi An’s age and authenticity. The dark wood interior feels cool and refreshing, even during the hottest hours of the day.
The exhibitions are wonderful and offer a deep insight into the lives of artisans, farmers, fishermen, and workers in old Hoi An. Every room has clear explanations and captions.
The collection is arranged by themes and grouped by profession. It’s a great way to learn more about traditional Vietnamese practices such as fishing, weaving, and silkworm farming.
Your Old Town ticket also includes a folk dance and music performance, offering an introduction to traditional Vietnamese folk arts.
Well laid out, easy to explore, and with the added bonus of a live show, this museum is the most popular in Hoi An and therefore attracts large tourist groups and families.
What I liked…
- The building itself
- The explanations
- The staged displays of different professions
3. Museum of Trade Ceramics
Address: 80 Tran Phu St – Opening hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM; closed on the 15th of each month
The Museum of Trade Ceramics is housed in a spectacularly restored wooden building dating back to 1858. This museum highlights Hoi An’s fascinating history as Vietnam’s trading hub from the 16th to early 19th century.
It features a decent-sized collection of ancient ceramics discovered during excavations around the town. You’ll find pots, urns, vases, and even remnants of a sunken ship, along with some of the traditional machinery used at the time.
For lovers of ceramics and pottery, this is a must-visit destination in Hoi An. Like many of the city’s museums, the building alone is worth the visit, as it conveys a strong sense of historical depth. There’s also a charming central courtyard where you can relax with a drink, and beautiful views from the balconies.
What I liked…
- The building itself
- The museum has English and French translations
4. Hoi An Museum of History and Culture
Address: 10B Tran Hung Dao Street – Opening hours: 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM daily
The Hoi An Museum of History and Culture is located on the second floor of the old Quan Yin Pagoda, originally built in the 17th century by villagers from Minh Huong to worship Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy.
This is clearly not the most popular museum in Hoi An. It’s often quiet and free from tourist crowds, so most of the time, you’ll have the place to yourself. Plan about one hour for the visit. While the museum is interesting, it clearly lacks appeal, proper display design, and renovation. It feels quite austere, though I personally still enjoyed it.
The museum is divided into four main sections, together housing artifacts from ancient to modern times, covering nearly 2,000 years of history.
“History and Culture Exhibition”
This section focuses mostly on the period when Hoi An was Vietnam’s major trading port (1400–1800 CE), along with some information about the prehistoric era.
“Revolutionary History Exhibition”
This section walks you through the French occupation and the Vietnam War. There are some very interesting items here that war history enthusiasts should not miss.
“Hoi An’s Ascent from Hardship” Exhibition
This area highlights Hoi An’s current prosperity. You’ll also find a nice collection of Cham sculptures and pottery from shipwrecks.
“Art Gallery”
The gallery displays 38 paintings by 18 artists, depicting daily life in Hoi An and the surrounding countryside.
Don’t forget to go up to the museum’s top floor, it offers one of the best 360-degree views of the Old Town.
Where to Buy Tickets for Hoi An’s Museums?
Tickets for the museums in Hoi An are included in the Old Town entrance ticket (5 coupons – 120,000 VND | approx. €4.80) that you need to purchase in order to visit the various historical sites of the Old Town.
They are available at any tourist information kiosk in the city. This ticket allows you to visit the museums and five heritage sites of your choice during your stay.
My Opinion
The Precious Heritage Museum is an absolute must-see in Hoi An and truly unique in Vietnam. It’s free and available in French.
It’s the one that captivated me the most, especially as someone who loves photography and history. Seeing the ethnic costumes up close was a real highlight.
Second on my list would be the Museum of Trade Ceramics. I really enjoyed it because it gives you a deeper understanding of Hoi An’s port history.
Third, I’d choose the Folklore Museum. It’s an excellent museum if you’re visiting with kids, who will love the staged displays of traditional professions.