1. Overview of Ha Nam Museum: Cultural Value in the Heart of Phu Ly
1.1. Address, Opening Hours, and Contact Information for Ha Nam Museum
Located on Ly Thai To street, Phu Van ward, Ninh Binh province, Ha Nam Museum is situated in a central location easily accessible for every journey. The spacious campus with a display area of 2,800 m², harmoniously combines modern and traditional architectural features, evoking a friendly space suitable for learning about the local cultural heritage.
Ha Nam Museum is an ideal destination for those who love to learn about history and culture. (Source: hanamtourism.vn)
The museum is open from 7 AM to 6 PM daily, including weekends, and extends its service hours for research groups and schools. If organizations, groups, or visitors wish to visit outside these hours, they can contact in advance to receive appropriate support.
1.2. Why explore Ha Nam Museum in 2025?
The most outstanding feature of Ha Nam Museum is its collection of rare national treasures, notably the Ngoc Lu drum. The exhibition space is organized into clear themes such as the province's cultural heritage, resistance history, and traditional craft villages, serving both aesthetic and educational purposes.
Unlike many local museums, this place also utilizes personalized automatic narration technology with QR codes applied at each exhibition space, allowing visitors to explore independently in their own way. The system of 3D artifact models and virtual artifact versions allows for detailed rotation and analysis, supporting effective learning and research.
2. Collection of Outstanding Heritages at Ha Nam Museum
2.1. Ngoc Lu Drum and National Treasures
The Ngoc Lu drum was discovered in 1893 in Binh An commune, Ninh Binh province. This artifact belongs to the Dong Son culture, dating back 2,000 - 2,500 years. Recognized as a national treasure since 2012, the Ngoc Lu drum is the largest, most beautiful, and intricately decorated drum among the artifacts of the Dong Son culture, with a surface diameter of 79.3 cm, a height of 63 cm, and weighing 86 kg.
The patterns on the drum surface richly depict the ancient Vietnamese people's concepts of the universe and daily life through images of stars, Lac birds, scenes of singing, dancing, and pounding rice. This is an important symbol demonstrating the bronze casting and sculpture artistry of our ancestors.
Ngoc Lu Bronze Drum - National treasure of Vietnam. (Source: Collected)
Ha Nam Museum also displays many other valuable national treasures such as stone statues from the Ly dynasty, various weapons, and special artifacts from many historical periods, offering a colorful and vivid view of the region's cultural progress.
2.2. Collection of weapons, ceramics, and stone statues through the ages
When visiting the thematic exhibition halls, you will see collections of bronze spears, bronze axes, and ancient weapons spanning from the Dong Son culture to the Ly-Tran periods, reflecting the military creativity and intellect of ancient people. Ceramic products with glaze from the Ly and Tran dynasties, along with traditional Ha Nam ceramic household items and ritual objects, are also skillfully preserved and displayed.
Notably, the stone statues from the Ly dynasty are clear evidence of the local talent in sculpture and indigenous beliefs, embodying profound artistic spiritual values. This diverse collection of artifacts tells the story of the cultural development and characteristic religious beliefs of the Red River Delta, helping visitors fully appreciate each historical period of this land.
2.3. Thematic exhibition space and practical experience
At Ha Nam Museum, various thematic exhibitions are organized, such as: “Ha Nam Cultural Heritage”, “Ha Nam in the Resistance War against America”, “Ha Nam Traditional Craft Villages”... Each area is designed with easy-to-understand, familiar content, making it convenient for visitors. The creative experience room is the highlight with an area simulating and practicing traditional crafts, allowing visitors to actively immerse themselves in the atmosphere of traditional craft making rather than just observing.
Opening of the exhibition area "Ha Nam in the resistance against the US". (Source: hanamtv.vn)
The museum regularly organizes educational activities, direct or outdoor guidance, aiming to disseminate cultural values, foster community bonding, and especially engage the young generation. This is an opportunity for children to participate in hands-on creative activities, connecting historical knowledge with vivid practical experiences.
3. Experiencing digital technology at Ha Nam Museum
3.1. Application of 3D technology and artifact digitization
Ha Nam Museum is pioneering the promotion of modern technology applications, notably the 3D digitization of many national treasures and valuable artifacts, allowing visitors to view every detail from every angle via touch screens or personal devices. Thanks to virtual reality technology, the visiting experience becomes more vivid, even for those who cannot visit the museum in person.
Digitizing artifacts not only enhances attractiveness and saves time but also effectively supports heritage preservation, research, and education in all circumstances. Visitors can zoom in on every detail of the Ngoc Lu drum or rotate stone statues, offering a modern and novel heritage exploration experience.
3.2. Communication technology and heritage promotion to the community
Ha Nam Museum actively develops digital communication channels on its official website and social media to quickly update information about exhibitions, educational activities, and valuable artifacts. By promoting modern communication, the locality's heritage has become more accessible to youth, students, and international visitors.
On its website, the museum shares many interesting stories about artifacts, posts videos about exhibition spaces and interactive activities, contributing to a closer connection between the museum and the community, while also raising awareness of heritage values in modern life.
4. Suggested itinerary for visiting Ha Nam Museum combined with cultural tourism
4.1. Half-day itinerary at Ha Nam Museum
You can start your visit by exploring the exhibition space on Ha Nam's cultural heritage and history for the first 45 minutes. This is where many valuable documents, images, and artifacts are preserved, reflecting the formation and development of the land, along with traditional crafts that have created its unique cultural identity.
Visitors come to visit and study at the Ha Nam Museum. (Source: Economic and Environmental Magazine)
Next, spend 60 minutes admiring and learning more about national treasures such as the Ngoc Lu bronze drum, Ly dynasty stone statues, or a collection of ancient weapons and ceramics bearing the strong imprint of ancient Vietnamese civilization. Each artifact not only has artistic value but also tells a vivid story about the life, beliefs, and creative spirit of our ancestors.
The last 15 minutes of the journey are recommended for experiencing the creative room or participating in interactive educational programs. Visitors, especially families with young children, will have the opportunity to make pottery themselves, paint statues, try on traditional costumes, or join history quiz games. The total time of 120 minutes is arranged reasonably to make the visit both educational and entertaining, creating a balanced experience between learning, discovery, and relaxation in an inspiring cultural space.
4.2. Combine visits to nearby relic ecosystems and scenic spots
After visiting the Ha Nam Museum, you can continue to visit Sun World Ha Nam, about a 15-minute drive from the museum, which offers diverse entertainment and dining areas. Additionally, Ba Danh Pagoda and Tran Xa Communal House, two important historical sites near the museum, are also suitable suggestions for a combined cultural exploration of this land.
Don't forget to experience local cuisine with dishes like Phu Ly steamed rice rolls, Vu Dai village braised fish, and many other attractive specialties. A 1-day itinerary combining museum visits, sightseeing of relics, and enjoying local specialties will provide a rich option suitable for individuals, family tour groups, or collectives.
5. Useful experiences and notes when visiting Ha Nam Museum
Getting to Ha Nam Museum in 2025 is quite convenient thanks to the developed transportation system and the central location of Phu Ly city. For visitors departing from Hanoi, you can take National Highway 1A or the Phap Van – Cau Gie expressway; the travel time is only about 1 to 1.5 hours by private car, taxi, or bus. The modern expressway makes the journey quick and smooth.
Moving to the museum by motorbike is a popular option chosen by many tourists. (Source: Collection)
Tourists from neighboring provinces can also easily access the museum via national highways or frequently operating inter-provincial buses. To get accurate information about events, exhibitions, or changes in opening hours, you should follow the museum's official website or contact them directly for assistance.
After arriving, don't forget to take some souvenir photos. The Ngoc Lu bronze drum exhibition area with its sophisticated lighting system is an ideal check-in spot loved by many tourists. Besides, the museum's main hall receives natural light through large glass panels, creating a brilliant space, very suitable for artistic shots.
The digital exhibition room is also a place that attracts young people with modern touch screens and vivid projection effects. When taking photos, you should move gently, avoid using flash, and comply with regulations to protect exhibits and maintain a quiet, solemn atmosphere.
Exploring Ha Nam Museum is not only a journey to learn about heritage but also an opportunity to experience local etiquette and customs. Visitors should maintain a polite attitude, choose modest clothing, do not touch exhibits without permission, and carefully read the instructions at each exhibition area.
Maintaining order, not talking loudly or making tactless comments, shows respect for the cultural space and historical values preserved here. Especially, take time to listen to the guides and observe each exhibit carefully, to feel more deeply the historical significance, national spirit, and the creativity of our ancestors.
Ha Nam Museum is not only a place that preserves ancient treasures but also a bridge connecting traditional values with the flow of modernity. Here, you will have the opportunity to fully experience the unique cultural beauty of the old Ha Nam land.
