Even during the wars of independence the Ministry of Culture was at work digging into the past in newly exposed archeological sites and preserving their heritage. After centuries of domination it was imperative that the Viet culture be protected and promoted.
Every ministry has funds, and a mandate to promote its own history.

Plans for new museums include:

From 2005- 2010: The Vietnam Literature Museum, Vietnam Medicine and Pharmacy Museum, Vietnam Traditional Performing Arts Museum, and a number of museums of universities.
From 2010 to 2020: The Petrol and Oil Museum, Vietnam Textile and Garments Museum, Vietnam Education Museum, Vietnam Transport Museum, Vietnam Architecture Museum, Applied Fine Arts Museum, Vietnam Agriculture Museum, Vietnam Biology Museum, Vietnam Cement Museum (ever wonder what BT or be tong means stenciled on walls ? Concrete ! It was the wonder material that changed the face of Hanoi), Vietnam Coal Museum, Philately Museum, Vietnam Currency Museum, and a number of museums of universities.

Everything you want to know about Vietnamese culture is in the website www.culturalprofiles.net/visiting_arts  It’s the most comprehensive site for cultural information.   

48 Hang Ngang
Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
T: (04) 3825 2960
Ho Chi Minh wrote the Declaration of Independence here

Airforce Museum
Bao Tang Khong Quan
86 Truong Chinh
Dong Da, Hanoi
T: (04) 3563 0630
Saturday to Thursday, 8-11am & 1-4pm
20,000 vnd
The displays include the capsule used by Vietnam’s astronaut Pham Tuan and a MiG fighter in the basement which is user friendly, i.e. kids (of all ages) can climb in it, and they have a pilot’s uniform for rent so you can have your picture taken.

Armoured Vehicle Museum
Bao Tang Luc Luong Tang Thiet Giap
108 Hoang Quoc Viet
Cau Giay, Hanoi
T: (04)
Open Tues, Thurs, Sat, Sun 8-11am & 2-4pm

Army Engineers Museum
Bao Tang Cong Binh
290 Lac Long Quan
Huyen Tu Liem, Hanoi
T: 69 823 615
It has an excellent display on the ground floor of the de-mining work they do.

Army Logistics Museum
Bao Tang Hau Can
Thon Dinh Thon
Khu My Dinh
Huyen Tu Liem, Hanoi
T: (069) 524 582/3
Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm
Coming from the city  – turn right after Big C and then left at the first major ‘T’ junction. After the 5th building turn right and drive to the end of the street.

Artillery Museum
Bao Tang Phao Binh
463 Doi Can lane just before Buoi Street
Ba Dinh, Hanoi
To open in early 2012
Special display from 29 June, 2011

B 52 Museum
Bao Tang Chien Thang B52
157-159 Doi Can
Ba Dinh, Hanoi
T: (04) 3823 7075
Closed Monday and Friday, 8:30-11am & 2-4pm
http://www.btlsqsvn.org.vn

Border Guard Museum
Bao Tang Bien Phong
2 Tran Hung Dao
Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
M-F 8am-11am

Central Gate in the Citadel
Doan Mon
19 Hoang Dieu
Ba Dinh, Hanoi
T: (04) 3734 3559
Daily 8-11:30am & 2-4:30
Free

Citadel (UNESCO site)
19 Hoang Dieu or
19 Nguyen Tri Phuong
Ba Dinh, Hanoi
T: (04) 3734 3559
Daily 8-11:30am & 2-4:30
Grounds are always open

D67 in the Citadel
The War Room
19 Nguyen Tri Phuong
T: (04) 3734 3559
Opened on national holidays and for special events
8-11 and 2- 4:30
free

Ethnology Museum
Bao Tang Dan Doc Hoc Viet Nam
Nguyen Van Huyen
Cau Giay, Hanoi
T: (04) 3836 0352
F: (04) 3836 0351
Tues to Sun, 8:30-5:30
3,000 vnd (child) to 20,000 vnd (adult)
www.vme.org.vn

Fine Arts Museum
Bao Tang My Thuat
66 Nguyen Thai Hoc
Ba Dinh, Hanoi
T: (04) 3823 3084
Every day 8am-5pm
20,000 vnd

Geology Museum
Bao Tang Dia Chat
6 Pham Ngu Lao
Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
T: (04) 3826 6802
Mon-Fri 8:30-11am & 1:30-4:30 Sat-Sun 8:30-11am
Best prices in the city for trilobites

Hanoi Museum
Tu Liem, Hanoi
T: (04) 3826 3982 (office)
Under construction

Hanoi Police Museum
67 Ly Thuong Kiet
Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi

History
Bao Tang Lich Su
1 Trang Tien
Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
T: (04) 3824 1384
Daily 8am-4pm
20,000 vnd
http://nmvnh.org.vn

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
19 Ngoc Ha
Ba Dinh, Hanoi
T: (04) 3846 3757
Call to confirm opening hours

Ho Chi Minh Museum
Bao Tang Ho Chi Minh
3 Ngoc Ha
Ba Dinh, Hanoi
T: (04) 3845 5435
Daily except Mon and Fri afternoons
8-11am & 2-4pm
10,000 vnd

Ho Chi Minh Trail Museum
Bao Tang Duong Truong Son
Km 15, HWY 6
Eclectic opening hours

Hoa Lo Prison
Maison Central
1 Hoa Lo
Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
T: (04) 3824 6358
Daily 8-11:30am & 1:30-4:30pm
5,000 vnd

Kinh Thien Palace in the Citadel
Di Tich Dien Kinh Thien
19 Nguyen Tri Phuong
T: (04) 3734 3559
Daily 8-11 and 2- 4:30
free

Military Communications Museum
Bao Tang Bo Tu Lenh Thong Tin
1 Giang Tin Van Minh
Ba Dinh, Hanoi
T: (069) 882 390

Military History
Bao Tang Lich Su Quan Su
28A Dien Bien Phu
Ba Dinh, Hanoi
T: (04) 3823 4264
Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sat, Sun 8-11:30am & 1-4:30pm
Mon & Fri 2-4pm
20,000 vnd
http://www.btlsqsvn.org.vn

Nature Museum
Bao Tang Thien Nhien
18A Hoang Quoc Viet
Cau Giay, Hanoi
T: (04) 3756 8328
Mon-Fri 8-11:30 & 2-5pm
free
www.baotangthiennhien.ac.vn
Currently has one tiny room and petrified trees in the garden

North Gate in the Citadel
Di Tich Cua Bac
Phan Dinh Phung
T: (04) 3734 3559
Daily 8:30-11 & 2 -4:30
10,000 vnd

Performing Arts Museum
Lang Ha (next to the National Cinema)
Ba Dinh, Hanoi
T: (04) 3943 4443 (office)
Under construction

Photography Museum
Cau Giay, Hanoi
Under construction

Public Security Museum
Bao Tang Nhan Dan
1 Tran Binh Trong
Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
T: (04) 3942 1006
Tues & Thurs, 8-11am
Sat, 8-11am & 1:30 to 4pm

Post Office Museum
Bao Tang Buu Dien
57 Huynh Thuc Khang
Dong Da, Hanoi
T: (04) 
M-F 8:30-11:30am & 1:30-4:30pm
Opening on May 19, 2011

Princess Palace in the Citadel
Bao Tang Hau Lau
7 Hoang Dieu
Ba Dinh, Hanoi
T: (04) 3734 3559
Daily 8:30-11am & 2-4:30pm
free

Restored Tube House
87 Ma May
Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
T: (04) 3926 0585
Daily 8:30-4:30 ( sometimes a lunch break)
5,000 vnd
www.hanoi2010.org   
 
Revolutionary Museum
Bao Tang Cach Manh Viet Nam
216 Tran Quang Khai
25 Tong Dan
Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
T: (04) 3825 4151
Daily 8-11:30am & 2-4pm
10,000 vnd

Special Forces Museum
Bao Tang Dac Cong
Xa Dong My
Huyen Thanh Tri, Hanoi
T: (04) 3686 1644
Spring 2008: letter of invitation needed

Women’s Museum
Bao Tang Phu Nu Vietnam
36 Ly Thuong Kiet
Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
T: (04) 3825 9937
Tuesday to Sunday 8am-430pm
30,000vnd

Zoological Museum
19 Le Thanh Tong
Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
T: (04) 3858 2331
M: 091 354 4615 (Thanh)
By appointment for scholars