The Ho Chi Minh Fine Arts Museum
Address:
97A Pho Duc Chinh St
District 1
Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
Phone:
08/829-4441
Description:
Vietnam is still catching up on its Asian near neighbors when it comes to showcasing the arts, but this attractive Chinese-influenced building houses one of the more interesting collections in the country. The first floor is very much a curate's egg with a changing exhibition of officially approved contemporary art veering from the downright woeful to the sublime (it is more heavily weighted towards the former for the record). The second floor features exhibits from the museum's permanent collection with many politically influenced works making an appearance. The third floor, meanwhile, hosts arguably the most impressive selection of works. Here you'll find sculptures dating from as far back as the 4th Century along with some interesting Cham artifacts. The interior of the building is worth the entrance fee alone with Saigon's first ever elevator and a huge, beautifully tiled hall, among the points of interest.
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