Can Tho Museum: Your Gateway to the Mekong Delta's Past and Present
The Can Tho Museum (Bảo Tàng thành phố Cần Thơ) offers visitors a comprehensive and engaging journey through the city’s past, culture, and social development. As the largest general museum in the Mekong Delta, it houses thousands of artifacts and exhibits that tell the story of the land and its people. We recommend visiting this museum to gain essential historical context before exploring the rest of the city.
Address: 1 Đ. Hoà Bình, Tân An, Ninh Kiều, Cần Thơ, Vietnam.
I. Key Exhibition Themes and Cultural Highlights
The museum organizes its displays across two floors, focusing on several core themes that are highly relevant to visitors.
Land and People of Cần Thơ: This section introduces the geography, nature, and resources of the region. You will find exhibits on the ancient Óc Eo (Oc Eo) culture, showing the deep roots of civilization here. The museum highlights the cultural traits of the three major ethnic groups in the region: Kinh (Viet), Hoa (Chinese-Vietnamese), and Khmer, including life-size reproductions and artifacts that illustrate their daily lives, traditions, and festivals.
History of Resistance: The displays detail Cần Thơ’s heroic role in the two resistance wars against French colonialism and American imperialism. Artifacts, photographs, and documents honor the local soldiers and civilians who fought for national independence and unification.
Socio-Economic Achievements: Visitors can also explore the city’s growth, seeing its accomplishments in the economy, culture, and society since 1975.
Thematic Galleries: The museum frequently changes its special thematic exhibitions, ensuring repeat visitors always discover something new about Vietnamese and global history and culture.
II. Architecture and Visitor Experience
The museum building itself provides an excellent space for historical exploration, covering a total area of approximately 2,700 square meters.
Mannequin Displays: To bring history to life, the museum uses detailed mannequins and life-size models of traditional buildings, allowing visitors to visualize the past more vividly.
English Translations: The museum offers ample English translations alongside the Vietnamese text, making the information accessible to international tourists. Therefore, you can easily follow the historical narratives without a personal guide.
III. Essential Visitor Information
The Cần Thơ Museum is conveniently located in the city center, near Ninh Kiều Wharf, making it an easy stop on any city tour.
Entrance Fee (Lệ phí vào cửa): Admission to the Can Tho Museum is Free for all visitors. This makes it an excellent, budget-friendly attraction.
Opening Hours: The museum typically operates in split shifts and closes on some weekdays. General hours are:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM and 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM.
Monday and Friday: The museum often closes on these days.
Pro-Tip: Always confirm the schedule upon arrival, since operating times occasionally change.
Contact Phone: You can call the museum at 0292.3820.955 for current information.
Visitor Etiquette: Guests should dress respectfully and refrain from loud talking or touching the artifacts, ensuring a pleasant experience for everyone. Remember to check your bags and large items at the designated area.
