Are you planning a trip to the beautiful the Ancient Town? While walking through its lantern-filled streets, don’t miss one special cultural spot – the Museum of Folk Culture. This lovely museum gives you a closer look at Vietnamese traditional life and shows many local artifacts from the time when Hoi An was a busy trading port.
In this guide, Huracars will share everything you need to know – from practical info to the building’s design and the amazing exhibits waiting inside.
To plan your full itinerary around this area, you might want to check out this detailed guide to exploring Hoi An. It’ll help you make the most of your cultural journey.
The Museum Building: A Hidden Gem of Ancient Town Architecture
One of the best parts of visiting this museum is the building itself. The Museum of Folklore isn’t just about what’s inside — the house is a piece of history too.
Architecture and History
This is one of the largest residential buildings in Hoi An Ancient Town, about 57 meters long and 9 meters wide. Back when Hoi An was a busy trading port, this size would’ve been impressive. Its design mixes Chinese influence with Vietnamese touches, creating a unique blend of styles. The building was likely built in the mid-19th century, around the same time as the Museum of Trade Ceramics nearby.
Key Features
The two-story wooden house has a lovely central courtyard, which helps bring in sunlight and cool the air inside. You’ll see wood everywhere — on the stairs, railings, and walls. It’s a delicate type of structure, so it’s amazing how well it’s survived after all these years.
Exploring the Exhibits: 500 Treasures of Vietnamese Folk Culture
The museum showcases about 500 artifacts, grouped into four main themes across two floors.
Ground Floor Highlights
The ground floor features larger items like weaving looms. There’s also a small corner where you can join a calligraphy class with a local teacher. I stopped to watch for a bit — it felt calm and creative, a real window into traditional life.
Upper Floor Collections
Upstairs is where most of the collection is displayed, divided into Folk Art, Folk Performance, Traditional Villages, and Traditional Lifestyle. Each section tells stories of how people once lived, worked, and celebrated.
Folk Art and Traditional Villages
The Folk Art section is full of beautiful paintings, wood carvings, and pottery – small but full of meaning. Some show religious themes, while others capture everyday village life.
The Traditional Villages display focuses on local tools and crafts. One highlight is the clever bamboo device used to harvest clams. It’s a great example of how villages specialized in using what nature offered; like rivers, clay, or silk.
Folk Performance and Traditional Lifestyle
Before movies or phones, people created their own entertainment! You’ll see displays of Ba Dao singing, Bai Choi, and the lively Unicorn Dance – all key parts of community celebrations. I had never heard of Ba Dao singing before visiting, and it was such a fun discovery.
The Traditional Lifestyle section highlights industries that made Hoi An famous during its trading days:
- Pottery
- Silk making
- Tailoring
- Lantern making
- Embroidery
- Traditional medicine
These crafts were once made for export when Hoi An was a global trading hub. Sadly, many of these traditional skills are fading today — but this museum keeps their spirit alive.
Museum of Folklore Visitor Information and Practical Tips
If you’re planning a visit, here’s what you need to know. The Museum of Folk Culture is located at 33 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street and 62 Bach Dang Street, right in Minh An Ward, within the pedestrian zone of the Ancient Town.
- Opening hours: 07:00 to 21:30 daily
- Entrance fee: 120,000 VND (includes access to five attractions)
- Distance from Da Nang: Around 30 km south, about a 45-minute drive
- Getting there: You can walk, ride a bicycle, take a taxi, or use an electric bus if you’re already in Hoi An. From Da Nang, the best way to get here is by car or motorbike, as it’s about 30 kilometers away. If you want a smoother and more comfortable trip, you can contact us through WhatsApp at +84 935 566 099 to book a private car.
For parking, the best spot is near Tran Hung Dao – Nguyen Hue Crossroad or Hoi An Market, where you’ll pay about 5,000–10,000 VND per bike.
My travel tip: Visit early in the morning or after 4 p.m. The crowds are smaller, and the golden sunlight adds a warm glow to the old wooden interiors. Wear comfy shoes—you’ll walk quite a bit. Don’t forget to bring cash; many small shops nearby don’t take cards.
If you like hands-on experiences, take the calligraphy class on the ground floor. I tried it, and while my handwriting wasn’t perfect, it was surprisingly relaxing and memorable.
Learning Experiences and Interactive Activities
Unlike some museums that just display items, this one invites you to take part. You can learn to write Vietnamese characters using brush and ink or join a short workshop about folk games and dances. As a travel writer, I appreciate when museums bring history to life rather than just showing it behind glass.
These interactive experiences make the visit more personal. Kids love it, and adults find it eye-opening. It’s not just about seeing artefacts—it’s about feeling the rhythm of Hoi An’s living culture.
Connection with Other Cultural Attractions
The museum fits perfectly into a day of cultural exploration. It’s surrounded by other fascinating places like the Museum of Trade Ceramics, Thanh Ha Pottery Village, and the Hoi An Silk Village. I recommend starting your morning here, then continuing to the pottery village to see craftsmen at work. Each place complements the other, painting a complete picture of Hoi An’s past.
For a full cultural route, you can also stop by the Hoi An Central Market, where you’ll see modern life unfold beside centuries-old traditions. Every corner of the Ancient town tells a story if you look closely.
Importance of Preserving Folk Culture in the Old Town
As tourism grows, preserving folk culture becomes even more important. The Museum of Folk Culture plays a vital role in protecting these traditions from fading away. It keeps alive the songs, dances, and crafts that define the identity of Hoi An’s people.
Walking through the museum, I realized how these artefacts represent more than just history—they represent community spirit. They remind us that culture is not static; it evolves, but it must be protected. Supporting these cultural sites also helps local artisans and encourages younger generations to value their heritage.