HCM CITY — HCM City authorities are working with State-owned museums to offer free entry to the public on national holidays this year. 

Under a new project launched by the city’s Department of Culture and Sports, visits to State-owned museums will be free on national holidays, such as National Day (September 2), Reunification Day (April 30), and International Labour Day (May 1), for local residents.  

Art shows, music and song programmes, organised by the Department, will also be free. 

“The project is part of our efforts to develop HCM City into a centre for the culture industry of the country and region in the 2021-25 period,” said the department’s deputy director, Võ Trọng Nam. “We will focus on building key cultural products, exploiting the economic potential of culture, strengthening creativity and innovation, and enhancing competitiveness in international economic integration.”

The city is home to 17 museums and 185 historical and cultural heritage sites, including two special national heritage sites, 58 national heritage sites and 125 city-level heritage sites.

It has two intangible cultural heritage sites that have been recognised by UNESCO, including ca trù (ceremonial singing) and đờn ca tài tử (southern folk music).

Museums attracted more than three million visitors last year, double the amount compared to the same period of 2022, reported the city’s Department of Culture and Information.  

The number of foreign visitors was around 250,000. 

Museums organised 105 exhibitions and showcases, and many online displays featuring the country’s history and culture in different periods. 

Local authorities have supported museums to upgrade and improve their business, especially online activities, which help guests to view the exhibitions through websites, fanpages and YouTube. 

The HCM City Museum of History, one of the city’s seven biggest museums, has launched online exhibitions with 3D technology, smart apps and websites. 

Its highlighted online exhibitions include showcases featuring ancient artefacts, paintings and sculptures of Vietnamese history dating from the prehistoric era to the end of the Nguyễn Dynasty (1802-1945), the country's last royal family. 

Antiques of the Óc Eo Culture - a rich culture of the ancient kingdom of Phù Nam which was discovered in 1944 via artefacts found at sites near Ba Thê Mountain, now Óc Eo Town in An Giang Province - are also included. 

The exhibitions can be viewed at the website www.baotanglichsutphcm.com.vn. 

“With digital technology, viewers around the world can see connections between objects and context, and visualise and learn about Việt Nam’s historical periods and culture through space and time,” said museum director Hoàng Anh Tuấn. 

Tuấn’s museum received VNĐ45 billion (US$1.93 million) from the city’s budget to spend on restoration last year. Restoration works are expected to be completed in 2025. 

The museum is still open while the restoration works are being carried out. 

The HCM City Southern Women’s Museum offers a smart museum mobile app, providing guests with information about well-known historical figures, the historical background and video clips.

This app acts as an electronic guide in different languages. Through the app on smartphones or tablets, the system accurately locates where visitors are standing and displays information about nearby objects in an animated micro image. It also helps to minimise the work of the tour guide while creating a modern, friendly exhibition environment.— VNS