Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts

Bùi Thụy Đào Nguyên · CC BY-SA 3.0

A Chinese merchant's yellow mansion, now a museum — and home to Saigon's oldest lift.

The building was the residence of the family of Hui Bon Hoa, among the wealthiest Chinese merchants in early twentieth-century Saigon and known to everyone as Uncle Hoa. The architecture is French with East Asian detail: patterned tiles, stained glass, wrought-iron balconies, and a light well bringing daylight down through all three floors. Inside is a wooden lift considered the first in Saigon. The collection runs from Oc Eo and Champa sculpture to lacquer, silk painting and wartime sketches. Even with no interest in fine art, the building alone justifies going in.

Visitor information

When is the best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts?

Mid-morning, when the light well catches the sun

How much does it cost to visit Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts?

30,000d (indicative)

How long do you need at Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts?

1.5 hours

What are the opening hours of Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts?

08:00 - 17:00

Did you know

The building was the residence of the family of merchant Hui Bon Hoa, known as Uncle Hoa.
Its architecture mixes French and East Asian elements, with a light well serving all three floors.
Inside is a wooden lift considered the first installed in Saigon.
The collection runs from Oc Eo and Champa sculpture to lacquer work and wartime sketches.

Travel tips

Walk all three buildings in the grounds — many visitors see only the first and leave.
The light well and staircase are the best photographs, best lit mid-morning.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ho_Chi_Minh_City_Museum_of_Fine_Arts

Updated: 2026-08-16