Located in the heart of the city, the Danang Fine Arts Museum houses over 1,000 exhibits showcasing the modern and original identities of Da Nang and its provinces.
I visited this museum I visited Central Vietnam and it was a welcome relief from the chaos of the city. Keen to learn more? Here’s what you’re likely to see and should expect when coming.
Da Nang Fine Arts Museum: Summary
Before we dig into the complete guide about the modern art museum in Da Nang, let’s make sure you’re familiar with the basics like location, entrance fee, and more.
Where is the Danang Fine Arts Museum?
The museum is at the heart of Da Nang, in the Lam Son district of the city located in 78 Le Duan Street.
There are several ways to find the museum and you can come here before or after visiting the Cho Con Market, which is right around the corner, or other tourist attractions in Da Nang.
How to Get There?
There are several ways to get to the Da Nang Arts Museum. The best is to take a taxi or use the Grab app. If you’re staying in Da Nang city center, then you’re within walking distance from the museum.
And finally, if you rent a scooter (which I only advise you to do if you have experience driving), you can just drive here from pretty much anywhere in Da Nang.
Opening Hours & Entrance Fees
The museum opens daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The entrance fee is 20,000 VND, or about $1, pretty affordable right?
Is the Danang Museum of Fine Arts Worth it?
Absolutely, the Da Nang Fine Arts Museum must be visited if you appreciate contemporary art or history. This museum reflects the Vietnamese culture and highlights the work of local painters, which is always nice to see when visiting a new city.
That being said, I only recommend coming if you have more than 3 days in Da Nang, as the other Danang museums such as Da Nang Museum or Cham Sculpture Museum, are more special for international tourists.
How Long to Visit the Arts Museum of Da Nang?
You should expect to spend around 1 hour at the museum, exploring the three floors. Each level of the gallery allows you to observe part of the highlights as well as the comprehensive artwork on show, which ranges from traditional to contemporary.
What to Expect at Danang Fine Arts Museum?
Danang Fine Arts Museum boasts a huge collection (of over 1000 artworks), including modern art from international painters, traditional crafts by local artists, as well as some works that have never been seen before.
The Museum consists of different collections on three floors, with temporary exhibition space on the bottom and permanent exhibits on the upper levels.
I spent about 1 hour at the museum and it was a nice break from the chaotic streets in the city. Want to know more? Here below is an overview of each floor.
First Floor
The reception area has an ancient 5m x 3m photo of the Artistic Evolution in Da Nang and the province, and you can see the picture here above.
At the same time, on the same floor, different exhibits have been arranged, so that each month they manage to add new contemporary arts. If you’re a digital nomad and staying long-term in Da Nang, you’ll get to see different collections each time.
The children are up to draw, and the cartoons around the walls are written in both Vietnamese and French, which I suppose is to help them learn.
Second Floor
On the second floor of Danang’s Fine Arts Museum, you will learn about contemporary Vietnamese art as you familiarize yourself with the main section of the museum.
This level also houses a well-curated collection of art forms using different mediums such as lacquer, silk, oil, and sculptures with themes from domestic scenes to reliving the narratives of the Vietnam War.
The place is a goldmine for local youth as well, making it more than a folk art gallery but a melting pot of culture too. I spent about 30 minutes on the second floor, and personally loved this area the most.
Third Floor
As for the third and last floor, this space is dedicated to the ancestral arts and crafts of Central Vietnam.
This level is dedicated to showcasing Vietnam’s proud culture through traditional crafts, from the different floral fabrics and textile works to the carvings in wood and religious materials belonging to ethnic groups in the country.
Da Nang City and the Central Highlands are culturally rich, making this section really nice while creating a dialogue among the art forms that have tapped the central vein for centuries.
You can expect to spend about 20 to 30 minutes on the top floor, before leaving the museum, having a drink at the cafe downstairs with its green space, and continuing your itinerary around Da Nang.
Tourist Attractions Near Da Nang Arts Museum
While you’re here why not have a look through them the galleries or visit other local attractions? Here are some interesting places that I recommend to you, for which you can walk to them.
Cham Sculpture Museum
The Cham Museum in Da Nang, where you can find another art museum that teaches you about the history of Vietnam, is one of the first and probably most famous museums in the country. It was established in 1915 by the French.
The museum boasts a massive collection of well-preserved Cham artifacts comprised of over 400 examples of sculpture and ceramic works made of sandstone, terracotta, and metal.
The Cham people populated this part of Vietnam in the 11th century and built architecture throughout the whole of the country, including the My Son Sanctuary (now a UNESCO World Heritage Site).
An Long Temple
Hidden in Da Nang not too far from the Cham Museum, An Long Temple is another quiet gem that gets overlooked by many tourists, but I highly recommend you to pay a visit.
It is a well-preserved example of traditional Vietnamese religious buildings. This should be the perfect place for you to rest a bit especially if you are in the city center.
The Han Market
Put simply – if you are looking for a true taste of an authentic Vietnamese market then the Han Market, nestled in the heart of Da Nang is where to head.
At first sight, the market can seem to be very much a headache with plenty of tourists, but take time to get over all the vendor markets and see the products on sale, as you’ll find copies and other items for a very cheap price.
Da Nang Fresco Village
Da Nang Fresco Village is located in a small local neighborhood in a series of narrow streets that houses an outdoor art gallery 10 minutes or so from Da Nang Museum.
While the village is more of a casual detour than a destination, you get to see the artistic side of Da Nang along the way. The art covers various themes and styles, turning the walls into canvases to take photos of – perfect for that Instagram-worthy post.
Conclusion
The Danang Museum of Fine Arts will be sure to delight if you appreciate modern and ancient art, and you’ll appreciate the roots of Vietnamese culture have spread so deep into this field.
Thanks so much for reading until the end, and I hope that this guide helped you in planning out more for your day!
