Museum of Vietnamese History, Saigon

The only green space of any scale in central Saigon was created by this French botanist, Jean Baptiste Louis Pierre in the 1860s.  In a city that is increasingly devoured by development, traffic and noise,  make some time to visit this place of relative quiet and greenery. Apart from the gardens, it is the site of the History Museum, the Hung Kings' Temple and a zoo probably best avoided by animal rights advocates.

The Vietnam History Museum is housed in a marvellous 1920s French era structure that combines European and Asiatic styles with its pagoda-esque roof.  It’s definitely worth a look although its big brother in Hanoi has a more extensive collection in an even more memorable setting.

 

Like its counterpart in Hanoi, the Museum focuses on Vietnam’s ancient history up until the Nguyen Dynasty with minimal reference to the twentieth century. These linga are from the Cham civilisation that, at its height, occupied vast tracts of what is now central and southern Vietnam and Cambodia.


 

The frustration with the museum is not with the collection but the poor labelling and the lack of context for the exhibits.

These items are from the Buddhism collection.

 

Also from the Buddhism collection.

19th century royal costumes from the Nguyen Dynasty, Hue.

History Museum, pottery pieces.

The museum’s roof provides appealing natural light as Ho Chi Minh keeps watch.

Directly opposite the History Museum is the Hung Kings’ Temple. The Hung Kings are said to have been the first rulers of Vietnam. Legend says that they formed their capital outside Hanoi in 2880 BC.  Most towns in  Vietnam have a Hung Vuong St remembering the Hung Kings. A revival of interest in the dynasty saw the government recently institute a new public holiday in their honour.