Vietnamese Women's Museum, Hanoi

I am always impressed with museums in Hanoi, and this one is definitely in my top 3. It is well laid out, with tons of information both on plaques and in the audio tour. Staff are helpful , the building is well maintained. The displays are interesting and provide an amazing look at the lives of women in Vietnam , past and present. I particularly enjoyed the displays discussing women's contribution in fighting for independence, they were very moving. We brought two kids , and there was enough to keep them interested, but we did have to move faster to keep them entertained. I plan on going back to more fully enjoy everything. For the fair cost, it's definitely worth even more than one visit.

A really fantastic museum celebrating the more important half of humanity, in this case Vietnamese women, in terms of their roles during recent 20th century history, their role within extended family structures, as well as being a space to display traditional garments typically worn in rural areas until recently. The thoughtfully curated space over three or four floors is truly magnificent, and is arranged thematically. Historically traditional family structures one floor up, French and U.S imperialism on the second storey, with fashion occupying the third tier up. The displays are in Vietnamese, with flawless translations into two foreign languages, English and French. There is a lot of information to absorb, but an entrance ticket - purchasable on the ground floor, close to the main entrance - is inexpensive, so repeat visits are definitely worthwhile. For a small extra fee you may hire out an audio guide in Vietnamese and English. There are also lockers in the entrance lobby. A gift shop is located on the ground floor selling mainly traditional handicrafts. Reasonably priced of course. The entrance is not wheelchair accessible because of the broad flight of steps from the outer forecourt to the main entrance doors. However, if you can and are willing to risk negotiating this barrier, then there are lifts to the different floors. But overall the multiple flights of stairs are shallow and can be taken two at a time. I would suggest dedicating two and a half hours if you’re only intending to visit once, without the assistance of an audio guide.