Hoi An Museums: Where the Ancient Town’s Stories Live On 

Share with:

Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, preserves the legacy of a Southeast Asian trading port that flourished from the 15th to the 19th century. Merchants and communities from Vietnam, China, Japan, and beyond shaped its architecture, traditions, and everyday life. Today, Hoi An’s museums bring these stories closer, helping visitors understand the history and cultural exchanges that shaped Central Vietnam. Read on to discover the best museums in Hoi An.

What Makes Museums in Hoi An Special?

Museums in Hoi An offer more than collections displayed behind glass. Many are located inside traditional buildings within the Ancient Town, meaning the architecture and surrounding streets become part of the experience. Their collections also reveal different layers of the city’s past, covering subjects such as Sa Huynh culture, maritime trade, folk traditions, and everyday life.

Another distinctive feature is the focus on living cultural heritage. Exhibits can introduce visitors to local customs, crafts, beliefs and community traditions, giving greater context to the historic buildings around them. Many museums are also within walking distance of heritage houses, temples and other landmarks, making it easy to combine a museum visit with a wider exploration of Hoi An Ancient Town.

Unmissable Museums for History and Culture in Hoi An

1. Precious Heritage Art Gallery Museum

The Precious Heritage Art Gallery Museum is dedicated to French photographer Réhahn’s collection documenting Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. Inside a preserved 19th-century French house, visitors can see hundreds of portraits, personal stories and more than 60 traditional costumes collected during his travels across the country. The museum has an intimate, quiet gallery atmosphere that feels different from Hoi An’s busier heritage streets. Its exhibitions offer a closer look at Vietnam’s cultural diversity through photography and objects rather than archaeological artefacts. Admission is free, making it an easy addition to a walking itinerary around the Ancient Town.

2. Museum of Folk Culture

The Museum of Folk Culture explores the everyday traditions and cultural life of Hoi An through four main themes: folk visual arts, performing arts, traditional occupations, and activities. Its collection includes nearly 500 artefacts, while the building itself is part of the experience. Housed in a large historic wooden structure connecting Nguyen Thai Hoc and Bach Dang streets, the museum offers a traditional atmosphere right in the heart of the Ancient Town. Check the latest schedule before visiting, as the museum may close periodically for maintenance.

 

Museum of Folk Culture

Museum of Folk Culture

 

3. Museum of Trade Ceramics

  • Address: 80 Tran Phu Street, Hoi An, Da Nang
  • Opening hours: Daily, 7 AM–9 PM
  • Price range: Included in the Hoi An Ancient Town ticket
  • Distance from Wafaifo Resort Hoi An: Around 1.6 km

The Museum of Trade Ceramics focuses on Hoi An’s history as an international trading port and its role in the maritime ceramics trade. Its collection includes hundreds of ceramic artefacts dating across many centuries, with pieces discovered through archaeological excavations in Hoi An and representing trade connections across Asia and beyond. The museum is housed in a traditional two-storey building with a courtyard, so the architecture adds to the historical atmosphere. It is a good choice for visitors interested in maritime trade, archaeology, and the international connections that shaped Hoi An.

 

Museum of Trade Ceramics hoi an

Museum of Trade Ceramics

 

4. Sa Huynh Cultural Museum

  • Address: 149 Tran Phu Street, Hoi An, Da Nang
  • Opening hours: 8 AM – 5 PM, Monday to Friday
  • Price range: Included in the Hoi An Ancient Town ticket
  • Distance from Wafaifo Resort Hoi An: Around 1.5 km

The Sa Huynh Cultural Museum focuses on the ancient Sa Huynh culture, which dates back more than 2,000 years and is closely connected with the early development of Hoi An as a trading port. Its collection includes 971 archaeological artefacts, offering insights into burial customs, daily life and trading connections with other parts of Southeast Asia, India and China. Housed in a historic French-influenced building on Tran Phu Street, the museum has a quieter, archaeological feel compared with some of Hoi An’s more interactive cultural attractions. It is a useful stop for visitors who want to understand the history of the area before its later development as an international trading port.

5. Museum of Traditional Medicine

The Museum of Traditional Medicine explores the history of traditional healing practices in Hoi An and Vietnam. Inside the historic building, visitors can see more than 200 objects and materials associated with traditional medicine, along with a recreated traditional Chinese medicine shop and displays explaining how herbs were prepared and used. The museum offers a more intimate experience than Hoi An’s larger heritage attractions, with a setting that reflects the traditional shophouses of the Ancient Town. Visitors can also look for heritage activities connected with traditional medicine, such as herbal treatments and demonstrations, when available.

6. Thanh Ha Terracotta Park

  • Address: Nam Dieu, Hoi An Tay, Da Nang
  • Opening hours: 8:30 AM-5 PM on weekdays; 8 AM-5:30 PM on weekends
  • Price range: 50,000 VND for adults; 25,000 VND for children under 15
  • Distance from Wafaifo Resort Hoi An: Around 3.5 km

Thanh Ha Terracotta Park offers a different museum experience outside the Ancient Town, focusing on Vietnam’s long-standing pottery and ceramic heritage. The park includes a museum of traditional Vietnamese pottery villages, a Thanh Ha Pottery Village Museum, ceramic exhibitions, miniature landmarks and displays connected with Sa Huynh and Champa heritage. Its spacious setting combines museum displays with hands-on experiences, including pottery making and ceramic decoration. Visitors can watch artisans work and, depending on the chosen experience, make their own pottery piece to take home. The park is also separate from the wider Thanh Ha Pottery Village, so allow enough time if you plan to visit both.

7. Hoi An Museum

  • Address: 10b Tran Hung Dao, Hoi An, Da Nang
  • Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 7:30 AM-11:30 AM and 1:30 PM-5:30 PM
  • Price range: Included in the Hoi An Ancient Town ticket
  • Distance from Wafaifo Resort Hoi An: Around 700 meters

Hoi An Museum offers a broad introduction to the city’s history, culture and development through 712 documents and artefacts. Its displays are divided into two main themes: Hoi An’s historical and cultural development, covering the Prehistoric period, Champa and Dai Viet–Dai Nam periods, and the city’s revolutionary history during the wars against French colonialism and the United States. Housed in a heritage setting, the museum has a more educational and historical atmosphere than some of Hoi An’s specialised museums. It is a useful starting point for visitors who want a wider overview of the city before exploring its more specific cultural collections.

 

hoi an museum

Hoi An Museum

 

8. Museum of Local Products

  • Address: 57 Tran Phu Street, Old Town, Hoi An
  • Opening hours: Daily, 7 AM–9 PM
  • Price range: Included in the Hoi An Ancient Town ticket
  • Distance from Wafaifo Resort Hoi An: Around 1.5 km

The Museum of Local Products explores the herbs, spices and other regional products that contributed to Hoi An’s role as a trading centre. Its 240-square-metre exhibition space contains 130 photographs and documents and 151 artefacts, covering local products such as cinnamon, agarwood, pepper, areca, tea and bird’s nest. The museum is housed in a two-storey traditional Hoi An house, with displays explaining how local products were collected, processed and traded both within Quang Nam and through international commerce. Visitors can also see displays of OCOP products and information about related local experiences.

Tips For Visiting Museums In Hoi An

  • Check opening hours and ticket requirements: Opening hours and admission rules can vary between museums, so check the latest information before visiting.
  • Know what your Ancient Town ticket includes: For international tourists, the 120,000 VND Hoi An Ancient Town ticket includes general access to the Ancient Town, one main monument (Japanese Covered Bridge or Quan Cong Temple), access to the museum system, and three additional cultural sites of your choice. The ticket is valid for up to three days during your stay in Hoi An.
  • Wear comfortable footwear: Trainers, sandals or flip-flops make it easier to walk between museums and other heritage sites in the Ancient Town.
  • Follow visitor rules: Some museums may restrict photography or ask visitors to dress modestly, such as avoiding sleeveless tops, shorts or short skirts.
  • Allow enough time: Set aside around 30–60 minutes for each museum, depending on the size and collection.
  • Plan for the weather: Museums are a practical option during hot or rainy weather, giving you a chance to explore Hoi An’s history while taking a break from the outdoors.

Stay Close to Hoi An’s Museums at Wafaifo Resort Hoi An

After exploring Hoi An’s museums and heritage sites, Wafaifo Resort Hoi An offers a convenient base just 1.2 km from the Ancient Town. Guests can spend the day discovering local history and culture, then return to the resort for dining, wellness and time by the pool.

What we offer:

  • 134 spacious rooms and suites, combining contemporary design with modern comforts for a relaxing stay.
  • Six on-site dining venues, ranging from casual restaurants to private dining spaces for different occasions.
  • Swim City Cafe and a 25 x 6m temperature-controlled saltwater pool, offering a comfortable place to swim and unwind throughout the year.
  • Wellness by Wafaifo, with longevity and recovery facilities including HBOT, infrared sauna, float tank,….
  • The Heritage & Culture Pathway, an open-air walk-through museum featuring 13 terracotta murals that share stories of Hoi An’s heritage, local life and historic trading-port culture.
  • A private in-house cinema for up to eight guests, ideal for movie nights, private screenings and live sporting events.
  • Complimentary bicycle rental, making it easy to explore Hoi An, nearby countryside and local attractions at your own pace.

Make Wafaifo Resort Hoi An your base for discovering the city’s heritage, with the Ancient Town just moments away.