Museum of Sa Huynh Culture (Bao Tang Van Hoa Sa Huynh) is one of the most interesting sightseeing places in the Hoi An Old Town. Its main theme is about Sa Huynh, a disappeared culture in what now is central and southern coastal areas of present-day Vietnam. Inhabitants of this culture lived in Hoi An around 3,000 years ago, and left behind lots of things about their life under the ground. Now let’s HoiAn Day Trip Company tell everything which visitors need to know about the Museum of Sa Huynh Culture.
You may also like: Museums in Hoi An Vietnam
• Content by Tam Le, founder of HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD
• Designed by Giang Cong Minh, co-founder of LS E&C LTD and his team
• Photo by Dang Cong Loi, Dao Xuan Son, Tam Le & others
Must Knows about Museum of Sa Huynh Culture (Hoi An)
– Location/address: 149 Tran Phu street, Minh An ward, Hoi An city, Quang Nam province, Vietnam
– Other name(s): Sa Huynh Museum of Hoi An
– Opening hours: 7 AM to 9 PM everyday (closed on 10th day of each month)
– Opening year: 1994
– Ticket price: 120,000 VND for foreign adult & children above 15 years old (Hoi An Old Town ticket)
– Best time to visit: anytime
– Time to spend: 15-30 mins
– Reason(s) to visit: one of the most unique museums in Hoi An
– Travel blog: https://hoiandaytrip.com/museum-of-sa-huynh-culture-hoi-an
– Recognition(s):
– Food & drink: not available
– Shopping: not available
– Tour guide: contact +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo)
– Fact: Sister of Sa Huynh Museum at Hoi An is Museum of Champa – Sa Huynh Culture on the way to My Son Sanctuary
Museum of Sa Huynh Culture (Hoi An) on Map
Better to Know about Sa Huynh Culture in Vietnam
The Museum of Sa Huynh Culture is all about ‘Sa Huynh culture’, a culture that existed along central and southern coastal areas of present-day Vietnam, from 2000 BC to the end of 2nd century. Its name means ‘yellow sands’, given by Madeleine Coloni (1866-1943, archaeologist). In 1909, she found the first traces of this culture (burial jars) in yellow sand dunes to the southeast of Quang Ngai province. In 1934, she published the information about them in expert meetings and magazines. In 1936, ‘Sa Huynh culture’ was used in the world, referring to an iron-age culture in Vietnam. It’s one of three ancient cultures that shaped the unique culture of Vietnamese people nowadays.
Not only where it’s firstly discovered – Quang Ngai, remains of Sa Huynh culture stretches along the coastline of central Vietnam, from Ha Tinh to Binh Thuan, from mountains to islands. They reveal the culture, belief, craftsmanship, social organization, burial practices,… of the people at that time.
Exhibitions in Hoi An Museum of Sa Huynh Culture
The Museum of Sa Huynh Culture was established in 1994, in a French-style house on Tran Phu street, near the Japanese Bridge and Cantonese Assembly Hall. It’s home to nearly 1,000 artifacts today, including a large number of ones discovered in Hoi An where Sa Huynh inhabitants ever settled.
Visitors will be many small and big jars where Sa Huynh people used for burial purpose. They are varied in shape, and the meaning of each shape is still understood yet by historians. While somebody thinks that the people might burn dead family members, and then put the ash into the jars (with offsprings). Otherwise, the whole body of dead persons would be in the jars. Babies have small size one, and bigger ones are for adults. The size of the jars and offsprings inside them might reveal different social classes. Pottery jars have a longer span of life if they bury them in dry sand dunes that later are found by archaeologists. Accessories (a part of offspring) are interesting to have a look at, including ear rings, bracelets, necklaces, rings. These objects are made by agate, glass, and gem, showing a high craftsmanship, and trade between Sa Huynh people and neighbours.
Pottery making has been one of the last surviving handicrafts in Hoi An since the Sa Huynh period. Thanh Ha Pottery Village is best known for this, with numerous living and experienced artisans, and busy workshops. Here, a manual potter’s wheel is still used.
Ancient artifacts at Museum of Sa Huynh Culture are found in dozens of sites around Hoi An city, from city centre, countryside to islands (Cham Islands). Here are typical sites:
– Bai Ong: this is an archaeological site near a beach, to the west of the main village of Cham Islands (Bai Lang). It’s excavated in May 1999, and in May 2000. Here from 0 to 40 cm below the surface, pieces of pottery and ceramic were found, dating from 8 to 10th century. In the layer between 50cm and 120cm depth, stone axes, cobbles, ash, shells, accessories, simple pottery, animal bones, plant seeds,…were seen, dating from 3,000 years ago. Bai Ong is the oldest trace of human life in Hoi An. In 2006, the government inscribed it (and 6 other historical sites) in Cham Islands as a national cultural heritage.
– An Bang: this is a group of graves in the sand dunes 4km away from Hoi An city centre. It’s excavated in July 1989, and in April 1995. Archaeologists found 18 burial jars here, with plenty of burial objects such as pottery, accessories made of gem, glass or metal, housewares, working tools, iron manual weapons,… Their age is 2,260 years old (maximum).
– Hau Xa II: this is a group of graves in the sand dunes, close to Hoi An city centre. It’s excavated in July 1989, and in May 1994. Archaeologists found 19 burial jars here, with plenty of burial objects such as pottery, accessories made of gem, glass or metal, housewares, working tools, iron manual weapons,… Their age is 2,040 years old (maximum).
– Hau Xa I: this is a group of graves in the sand dunes, close to Hoi An city centre (on the edge of an extensive sandy area stretching from Da Nang to Hoi An, near a small stream). It’s excavated in July 1989, and then February 1993, August 1993, and January 1994. Archaeologists found 18 burial jars here, with plenty of burial objects such as pottery, accessories made by gem, glass or metal, housewares, working tools, iron manual weapons,… as well as pottery pieces made by Cham people, Chinese people.
– Trang Soi: this archaeological site is in the sand dunes to the west of Hoi An city centre, near a small stream, and not far away from Thu Bon river. Archaeologists discover ceramic and pottery pieces from late Sa Huynh culture and early Champa culture (3rd to 4th centuries, and 8th to 9th centuries).
– Xuan Lam: this archaeological site was found in February 1995, right in the heart of Hoi An city (formerly, a sandy area). Under the ground, there are 2 burial jars with lots of pottery pieces, ceramic pieces, accessories made of glass and gems.
– Dong Na: this archaeological site is northeast of Hoi An city centre, in a sandy area, and near Co Co/De Vong river (that is convenient for trading activities). It’s excavated in December 1993, and in June 1994. Pottery pieces, ceramic pieces, accessories, bricks, and many others were found under the ground.
Tips to Visit Museum of Sa Huynh Culture in Hoi An
– On the 10th day each month, Museumof Sa Huynh Culture will be closed.
– It’s needed to buy entry ticket for Hoi An Ancient Town and then sightsee Museum of Sa Huynh Culture. The nearest ticket booth is near the East gate (Tran Phu Street gate) of Japanese Bridge, a few steps from the museum. The price is 120,000 VND for adult and children above 15 years ago. See more information & details
– No dress code regulation is required to visitors at Museum of Sa Huynh Culture. However, to see other attractions in town (such as temples, assembly halls), wearing long pants and shirts covering armpits/shoulders/navel is necessary.
– Follow rules, regulations and signs while visiting Museum of Sa Huynh Culture.
– Introductions and explanations are available in either Vietnamese or English. Other languages are not available yet.
– Visitors must turn off flashlights when taking photos by phone or camera while visiting Hoi An’s Museum of Sa Huynh Culture.
– Visitors should be careful when walking upstairs to the 2nd floor of Sa Huynh Culture Museum because it’s steep. Senior visitors and wheelchair users can see round the ground floor, and not see the upper floor.
– No smoking, no eating and no drinking in the museum.
– Toilets in the back of the first floor, to use for free.
– Do not enter private areas and touch on old antiquities in Quan Thang Ancient House.
– Vietnamese traditional costume ao dai dress is highly recommended. Any garment made of see-through material is not respectful.
– In the dry season, from February to the end of August, visitors should bring sun cream, hat/cap/umbrella, sun glasses, and bottles of water to drink. If don’t have, it’s easy to buy at shops near Museum of Sa Huynh Culture.
– In the rainy season, from September to January, visitors should bring rain poncho/jacket or umbrella, sandals or waterproof shoes. Don’t forget to check the weather forecast usually when traveling during this period.
– From October to December, the town may be flooded, so visitors need to keep updating the weather before going to Hoi An.
– The best way to visit the Hoi An Old Town is walking, so make sure that you have good/comfortable shoes or sandals.
– Smartphone or camera is needed for taking pictures. For more experiences, visitors can consider renting Vietnamese traditional costume (for example, ao dai long dress for ladies) or even booking a private photographer (contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) if you need).
– Don’t forget bringing cash to pay for entry fee tickets and small things because many places in Vietnam don’t accept payment by cards.
– It’s better to visit Museum of Sa Huynh Culture with a local guide. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) if you need a professional guide in Hoi An.
– Visitors should buy souvenirs at Museum of Sa Huynh Culture to support local family who owns and preserves it.
How to Get to Hoi An’s Museum of Sa Huynh Culture
The Museum of Sa Huynh Culture is at 149 Tran Phu St, in the Hoi An Old Town, Hoi An city, Quang Nam, Vietnam. Its Vietnamese name is ‘Bao Tang Van Hoa Sa Huynh Hoi An’.
To get to this museum, visitors need to go to Hoi An Ancient Town first. It’s right in the heart of Hoi An city (Minh An ward), and 6-7 km away from other areas of Hoi An. Visitors can walk, ride the bicycle or motorcycle, or use a taxi, electric car, or hotel’s shuttle bus. From the hotels and places within Cam Pho, Minh An, and Son Phong areas, walking is possible and easy. Cycling is faster, but make sure that you are confident and safe when joining the traffic. As a bicycle-friendly town, Hoi An doesn’t ban bicycles anywhere, and parking at sightseeing places is totally free. Taxi fare is approx 20,000 VND per kilometer, and it’s kind of the same as electric car/buggy price.
Everyday, from 9 to 11:30 AM and from 3 to 9:30 PM, motorbikes and cars are banned in the Hoi An Ancient Town (where the museum is located). Getting there by walking or bicycle for sure is easy. If choose a car/taxi, please request to drop off in Phap Bao Pagoda, and after that, let’s walk. If like riding the motorcycle, please go to Phap Bao Pagoda also, and park it there, with a fee of 5,000-10,000 VND. Remember that service time is up to 9-9:30 PM only. The walking distance from the pagoda to the museum is 350 meters (Hai Ba Trung street and then Tran Phu street). On the way, the ticket office is to the left, at the entrance of Ba Mu Temple.
From Da Nang, visitors can use a taxi/car/van/bus, or ride the motorbike. A roundtrip transfer from Da Nang city centre or My Khe beach, costs from 700,000 VND. If like riding the motorbike, one day rental is from 100,000 to 250,000 VND/day (without gasoline, insurance), and it’s often available in the hotel. The best route now is the coastal road (Vo Nguyen Giap/Truong Sa Rd). It’s just needed to go along it until the traffic light at An Bang beach, and then turn right, keep going on Hai Ba Trung St until Phap Bao Pagoda. Here, parking lot is available.
HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD daily organizes transfers to Hoi An and Da Nang. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!
Itinerary to Visit Hoi An Old Town for First Timer
First of all, to enter and visit the Hoi An Old Town (the part inscribed by Unesco), visitors need to buy an entry ticket. Its price is 120,000 VND per adult and children above 15 years old and free of charge for smaller kids. Entry to 5 attractions is also included for free. See more information & details
If possible, first time visitors should go with a local guide, to know better about history and culture. Contact us by +84968009827 (call/whatsapp) to book a private English-speaking guide.
We suggest this itinerary for first timers:
Total distance: 1,65 kilometers
– Starting point: the Japanese style gate (the west end of Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street). A model of the Red Seal Ship (Japanese merchant’s ship) and a ticket office are in a close distance.
– Walk along Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street. On this road, visitors will have the chance to sightsee Cam Pho Communal House (ticket required), Japanese Culture Gallery (ticket required), Phung Hung Old House (one of the best heritage houses, ticket required), Nguyen Tuong Family Chapel (in the alleyway, ticket required).
– Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, the symbol of Hoi An. This place definitely is a must see attraction.
– Walk along Tran Phu Street, the most beautiful road in Hoi An, until Hoi An Central Market. On this road, visitors will have the chance to sightsee so many historical attractions. From the bridge to the market, there are Cantonese Assembly Hall (ticket required), Museum of Sa Huynh Culture (ticket required), Duc An Old House (ticket required), Kazik Park (free), Quan Thang Old House (ticket required), Museum of Trade Ceramics (ticket required), Trung Hoa Assembly Hall (ticket required), Fujian Assembly Hall (ticket required), Quan Cong Temple (ticket required), Quan Am Pagoda (ticket required), Hoi An Central Market (free to enter), a couple of rooftop coffee shops, Instagrammable spots, shophouses selling lanterns, food, souvenirs and fashion items.
– Walk southwards and along Tieu La Street (east side of Hoi An Central Market). On this road, there are many vendors and stalls selling a diversity of local products, giving a good chance to know about local life and photograph.
– Walk westwards and along Bach Dang Street (the riverside street). On this road, visitors will see Hoi An Traditional Performance House (ticket required if want to watch shows) and Museum of Folklore (ticket required).
– Turn into Le Loi Street and then turn left, walking along Nguyen Thai Hoc Street. On this road, visitors will see Tan Ky Old House (one of the best heritage houses, ticket required) and Diep Dong Nguyen Old House (not yet opened to visitors, see from outside).
– The ending point: the crossroad near the north end of An Hoi Bridge or the west end of Nguyen Thai Hoc Street. In the evening, from here, visitors can walk cross the bridge and then turn right to see the entrance of the Hoi An Night Market, the biggest night market in Hoi An.
For more information and details, please browse https://hoiandaytrip.com/hoi-an-self-guided-walking-tour
Guided Tours to Hoi An Ancient Town Vietnam
From Hoi An
– Hoi An Old Town Walking Tour – 2 Hour Express Tour with Local
– Hoi An Half Day Walking Tour: Heritage Sites, Crafts & Show
– Hoi An Early Morning Walking Tour with Local Pho & Coffee
– Hoi An Afternoon Walking Tour + Thu Bon River Sunset Cruise
– Hoi An Night Tour from Hoi An: Lantern Boat, Markets & Food
– Hoi An Walking Tour with Sightseeing & Cooking Class
– Hoi An Late Afternoon Walking Tour with Local Food Tastings
– Hoi An Walking Tour with Thanh Ha Pottery Village by Boat
– Hoi An Instagram Tour: Best Photo Spots & Rooftop Café
– Hoi An Old Town Food Tour with Night Boat Ride
– Hoi An Old Town Private Walking Tour with Local Expert (4 hours duration from departure time)
HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD daily organizes tours in Hoi An and Da Nang. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!
From Da Nang
– Hoi An Half Day Tour from Da Nang
– Hoi An Night Tour from Da Nang
– Marble Mountain & Hoi An Day Tour from Da Nang
– Marble Mountain & Hoi An Night Tour from Da Nang
– Marble Mountain & Hoi An Highlights Tour
– Marble Mountain, Lady Buddha & Hoi An Day Tour from Da Nang
– Hoi An Day Tour from Da Nang with Chinese Speaking Guide
– My Son Sanctuary & Hoi An Tour from Da Nang
– Golden Bridge/Ba Na Hills Tour & Hoi An Tour from Da Nang
– Marble Mountain & Hoi An Tour from Da Nang Cruise Port
– Marble Mountain & Hoi An Tour from Chan May Cruise Port
HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD daily organizes tours in Hoi An and Da Nang. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!
Places to Visit near Museum of Sa Huynh Culture in Hoi An
– Bridges: Japanese Covered Bridge (Pagoda Bridge), Moonlight Bridge, An Hoi Bridge (Bridge of Lights), Cam Nam Bridge, Cam Kim Metal Bridge
– Museums: Museum of Sa Huynh Culture, Museum of Sa Folklore, Museum of Trade Ceramics, Museum of Traditional Medicine, Hoi An Museum of History & Culture, Japanese Culture Gallery, Black Sesame Soup Demonstration
– Chinese assembly halls: Cantonese Assembly Hall, Fujian Assembly Hall, Trung Hoa Assembly Hall, Hainan Assembly Hall, Teochew Assembly Hall
– Heritage houses: Tan Ky Old House, Phung Hung Old House, Duc An Old House, Quan Thang Ancient House, Diep Dong Nguyen House, Thai Phien Ancient House
– Temples & pagodas: Quan Cong Temple (Ong Pagoda), Ba Mu Temple, Phap Bao Pagoda, Quan Am Pagoda, Hoi An Confucius Temple, Cao Dai Temple of Hoi An, Hoi An Ancestral Temple, Cam Pho Confucius Temple, Minh Huong Confucius Temple, Vien Giac Pagoda, Hy Hoa Temple
– Family chapels: Tran Family Chapel, Nguyen Tuong Family Chapel
– Communal houses: Cam Pho Communal House, Hoi An Communal House, Minh Huong Communal House, Tu Le Communal House, Xuan Lam Communal House, Son Phong Communal House
– Markets: Hoi An Central Market, Hoi An Cloth/Fabric Market, Hoi An Night Market (Nguyen Hoang Night Market), Cam Pho Market
– Theatres: Hoi An Traditional Art Performance House, Hoi An Lune Center for Performing Arts (now where Teh Dar Show takes place), Hoi An Memories Land Theme Park (now where Hoi An Memories Show takes place)
– Famous streets: Tran Phu Street, Phan Chu Trinh Street, Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Bach Dang Street/Wharf, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa Street, Phan Boi Chau Street (Hoi An French Quarter), Hoi An Lantern Streets
– Other points of interest: Red Seal Ship Model, Hoi An Evanlegical Church, Thong Dang Prison & Park, Kazik Park (Memory Statue of Kazimierz Kwiatkowski), Hoai River (Hoi An River), Song Hoai Square, An Hoi Sculpture Park, Hoi An Catholic Church, Hoi An Prison, Hoi An Central Park, Ba Le Well, Hoi An Book Street, Hoi An Lantern Park, An Hoi Island, Cam Nam Island, Thu Bon River, Da Ken Tree
Photos, Videos about Museum of Sa Huynh Culture
Here are beautiful photos and videos about Museum of Sa Huynh Culture in Hoi An:
