The Museum of Da Nang is situated inside Dien Hai Citadel fortress, which was originally built in 1812 close to the mouth of the Han River but was last moved further inland in 1823 in order to defend the Han River and port.
Inside the fortress plaza there are canons, a captured US helicopter on the left rampart, and a statue of local hero General Nguyen Tri Phuong who lead the defeat of the Spanish and French (1858-1860).
On the first floor are exhibits on local maritime ecosystems, geology, trade artifacts and jade jewelry made and used by Sa Huỳnh people, 2000 to 2500 years ago. Further on, models, paintings and photos document life in Da Nang previously known as Tourane under French colonial rule.
A model of a fisherman’s house on the Han River depicts the hardness of life in Da Nang before development over the last 30 years. Models and signs in English and Vietnamese tell the story of Da Nang’s three traditional crafts, Nam O Village fish sauce, Non Nuoc marble sculptures and Tuy Loan Village rice paper.
The second floor features the siege of Da Nang by the French – Spanish coalition forces (1858-1860) and the extensive fortress system built to defend the Han River and Da Nang port. A 3D map details Da Nang’s defenses, the points of attack and the graves of French and Spanish soldiers on Son Tra Peninsula.
The next exhibition illustrates the Vietnamese Resistance War against the French, a model guillotine and prison relics show the barbarity of the freedom fighter’s captors.
The final exhibition on the second floor focuses on the American War, the shells of huge US napalm bombs hang from the ceiling and harrowing photos of victims of napalm and Agent Orange line the walls.
The exhibitions on the third floor draw attention to the ethnic communities in Da Nang and Quang Nam. There are model traditional houses, clothes, jewelry and statues used to protect their villages. In the next room a huge bamboo musical instrument from the Xơ Đăng people. Take a walk around Da Nang Museum to take in the rich local history and culture.
Address: 24 Tran Phu, Da Nang
Phone: 0511 388 6236/ 388 7635
Open Hours: 7:30am – 4:30pm (Everyday)
Email: btdn@danang.gov.vn
Ticket price: 20.000 VND
