Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities is the ideal location if you want to see some of the most priceless relics in Vietnam. 

For anybody interested in the precious artifacts from Vietnam’s imperial history, a trip to the Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities is a must. The museum, which is housed in the former citadel of Hue, has an extraordinary collection of relics that highlight the royal past and culture of Vietnam.

1. Introduction to The Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities

Address: 03 Le Truc Street, Phu Hoi Ward, Hue City, Thua Thien, Hue Province 

Opening hours: Open every day of the week, from 6:30 to 17:30 (only in the winter, open from 7:00 to 17:00) 

Entrance ticket: 150,000 VND for adults and 50,000 VND for children (ticket price includes tickets to Hue Citadel).

The museum Hue is the place where many collections of ancient Hue are on display and preserved. Most of them are royal antiquities in ranges of porcelain, enameled bronze wares, royal attires, royal seals, musical instruments used in offering ceremonies, glass paintings, red lacquered and gilded and mother-of-pearl inlaid woodwork, etc. In addition, there is also a collection of unique and diversified Cham sculptures.

The Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities, which opened its doors in 1923, was the city’s first museum. Presently, the museum is a part of the Center for Conservation of Hue Monuments, which has its headquarters at the 1845-built Long An Palace. The Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities is where valuable collections that depict the material lifestyle, political rituals, and ideologies of the aristocracy, kings, and mandarins of the Nguyen Dynasty in the past are displayed. This structure, which has been around for more than 175 years and embodies the pinnacle of Nguyen Dynasty decorative and architectural art, has come to be one of the most iconic timber structures in Vietnam.

To introduce Champa sculpture from many centuries ago, the Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities, in particular, also has a special Cham antiquities section. At the same time that it serves as the best example of the Champa culture’s position throughout its formation and growth, this is the place to facilitate greater public understanding of the Cham culture.

2. How to get to Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities?

Located right in the Hue Citadel area, you can easily move to the Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities by motorcycle or taxi.

In the downtown area of Hue City, there are many places offering motorbike rental by the day, with prices ranging from 120,000 VND to 150,000 VND depending on the type of vehicle. You just need to contact the service in advance, and they will bring the motorbike to your hotel. Note: You should prepare all kinds of identification, check the petro in your vehicle before departure, and always obey traffic laws to ensure the safety of yourself and everyone around you.

Or you can rent a taxi by the day for convenient travel. A team of high-class and luxurious taxis with friendly and enthusiastic service is ready to serve you whenever you need it in Hue. The price for each direction of travel fluctuates in the range of 80,000 VND. Some taxi companies that you can trust to choose as a ‘companion’ during your journey to discover Hue are Mai Linh Taxi, Phu Xuan Hue, Vinasun Hue Taxi, Thanh Cong Hue Taxi, Huong Giang Taxi, Hoang Anh Taxi, etc.

3. The Name of Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities through time 

Originally, the museum Hue was called Musée Khai Dinh and underwent five name changes before it was officially named Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities, including Hue Museum of Antiquities (since 1947, under the reign of Vietnam Central Government Council), the Hue Museum (under President Ngo Dinh Diem), the Antiquities Gallery (since 1979), the Hue Museum of Antiquities (since 1992), and finally the Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities (1995).

More honorably, the former Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities (c.1945) was one of the brightest museums in Indochina, well-known among world-renowned researchers and academics. 

4. Time travel at Hue Royal Antiquities Museum 

Most of the historic Hue artifacts on display at Hue Royal Antiquities are from the Nguyen court and include collections of porcelain, French blue ware, royal garments, seals, and royal seals, among other items. Cannons from the Vietnamese and Nguyen kings, mirror paintings, gilded and inlaid wooden furniture, musical instruments used in sacrificial ceremonies, and other artifacts are among the items on display. 

4.1. Long An Palace

Long An palace, the main displaying hall of the museum, is one of the most beautiful royal structures of Vietnam today and among the Complex of Hue Monuments – the World Cultural Heritage inscribed by UNESCO in 1993. 

When plowing the adjoining Tich Dien field each year, King Thieu Tri used the Long An Palace as a special area to occasionally unwind. On the outside, rows of ironwood columns are positioned atop boulders inserted into the courtyard to produce a height effect. All 128 columns of this stunning wooden building designed in the “coincidence” style are embossed with stylized flower designs. Yellow glazed yin and yang tiles that have been separated into layers to lessen their weight cover the roof.

Long An Palace currently has about 300 antiques divided into 17 different collections, displayed by themes, clusters, and groups, and these topics can change for 3 months, or 6 months. Among them are many artifacts that have become national treasures, such as Ao Te Giao – shirt intersecting collar, a bronze cauldron, etc. There are also antiquities such as the stone set, and the bronze bell – a musical instrument for the Nam Giao altar ceremony; stone bas-reliefs carved with landscapes and legends, tamed King Minh Mang, King’s palanquin, his betrayer, his desk; assorted robes of kings, princes, queens, and princesses; brooches with golden branches and jade leaves; silverware collection; ivory seal; cauldrons of the Nguyen lord period, etc.

4.2. Costumes Artifacts 

The Nguyen Dynasty clothing collection at the Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities is renowned. These distinctive items offer a window into the way of life and culture of the Vietnamese people at this time. Each outfit is given a unique name and color scheme that expresses its function or the wearer’s social standing.

The royal family’s costumes are the most well-liked ones on the show. They consist of accessories like shoes, hats, belts, and clothing that were only worn on particular days. They exhibit the richness of the time’s culture via their vivid colors and elaborate designs. There are also ceremonial outfits, which include more elaborate embellishments like embroidery and jewels. 

4.3. Textiles 

Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities’ collection is extensive and includes a variety of textiles, including the opulent fabrics and threads worn by the Nguyen Dynasty royalty. The excellent caliber of craftsmanship and the attention to each design’s finer nuances are evident in these pieces.

Visitors may get a sense of daily living during this period by looking at the materials on exhibit. They were used to produce ao dai, head scarves, and other traditional Vietnamese apparel items. Some of these things have been stored carefully, which has allowed them to be maintained in great shape and with brilliant colors.

4.4. Antique Coins

The magnificent collection of old coins in the Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities depicts the economic structure of Vietnam during the period. Gold, silver, copper, brass, and other materials were used to make them.

To show their value, the coins have various patterns and styles. Several coins include portraits or other representations of significant local families. Gods or historical characters are depicted on the majority of the coins. Moreover, some of the works include proverbs or sayings. 

4.5. Champa artifacts

A noteworthy collection of antiques from the Champa kingdom is also kept in the Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities. From the second century until 1832, it was a strong empire that controlled much of what is now Southern and Central Vietnam. They also had an impact on some of Thailand, Laos tours, and Cambodia.

The collection consists of sculptures, ceramics, jewelry, accessories, and more. Several of these objects were constructed of metal or sandstone, some with costly stones inlaid, others with elaborate decorations. The sculptures show everything from gods to daily life in the heyday of the Champa monarchy.

4.6. A substantial selection of ceramic goods

From the early 20th century to the eleventh century, the ceramics collection at Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities is a vast exhibition of pieces from many nations. Visitors may learn more about the past by studying these items and seeing how they contributed to the development of the world we live in today.

Several of the ceramic pieces featured emblems of historical and cultural people, such as dragons, tigers, and flowers, which stand for power, luck, and wealth. These ceramic pieces were produced with exquisite craftsmanship and complex detailing.

A significant piece of the complex of artifacts designated by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage in 1993 is the Museum of Royal Antiquities. Visitors have a rare opportunity to learn more about the Nguyen Dynasty’s history and get a deeper understanding of this period at the museum Hue. You may better understand the culture and how Vietnam has changed since then by spending a whole day seeing this museum. The Hue Museum of Royal Artifacts is a great place to learn about this period of Vietnamese history. To improve your experiences and create enduring memories, book Vietnam Travel Packages at Threeland Travel! To obtain the best prices, contact Threeland Travel for the best Vietnam Holiday Packages!