Hanoi Art Galleries

(Hanoi, Vietnam)

There are a number of extremely noteworthy art galleries based around the centre of Hanoi, often appealing to tourists looking to purchase something to remind them of their time in Vietnam.

The aptly named Hanoi Art Gallery is a particularly good venue and is just a short stroll from the Old Quarter, passing the Hoan Kiem Lake on the way, and is packed with canvasses created by both Vietnamese and international artists alike. However, for the best in art appreciation, the Hanoi Fine Arts Museum stands out in particular, offering a real insight into the evolution of artists favouring lacquer.

Fine Arts Museum

Address: 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Hanoi, Vietnam, VN
Tel: +84 04 846 5081
Located across from the Temple of Literature is the Hanoi Fine Arts Museum. While not the most impressive art museum in Vietnam, with minimal information on works and no English, it covers a fair amount of ground. There is art work on the main wars of the country, along with Buddhist art and some stunning silk paintings. Be sure to look out for the ancient bronze drums, as well as the spectacular 'One Thousand Eye, One Thousand Arm Guan Yin' sculpture.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 08:00 to 12:00, 13:30 to 16:30
Admission: charge

Dong Phong Art Gallery

Address: 14 Ngo Quyen Street, Hanoi, Vietnam, VN
Tel: +84 04 936 0481
Standing within the charming French Quarter and specialising in Vietnamese fine art, the Dong Phong Art Gallery ranks as one of the city's very best and sells a variety of quality paintings by leading contemporary artists from all over Vietnam. The English-speaking owner carefully selects each piece himself and is also happy to arrange personal studio visits with a number of cutting-edge artists from around Hanoi, providing an added attraction with a difference. Local emerging artists are actively promoted here, and so there is often a great variation between the pieces on display, both in size and style, as well as price.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 20:00
Admission: free

Hanoi Art Gallery

Address: 36 Trang Tien Street, Hanoi, Vietnam, VN
Tel: +84 04 3934 7192
Visitors to this gallery will find an eclectic mixture of traditional and contemporary pieces, most of which are very reasonably priced and make appealing holiday souvenirs, with the oil paintings and lacquer pieces usually being easy to pack into a suitcase. Exhibitions are changed on a regular basis, ensuring that there is likely to be something different to see if you plan a return visit in a few weeks.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Nguyen Art Gallery

Address: No 43 /83 / 91 Tran Duy Hung Road, Hanoi, Vietnam
Tel: +84 04 556 1146
A popular commercial exhibition space conveniently located in the very heart of the city, just a stone's throw from the cathedral, the Nguyen Art Gallery specialises in quality Vietnamese arts and culture, with art works ranging from the most traditional to brightly coloured modern canvasses. This shop was actually opened by a graduate from the Hanoi Fine Art University and is a good place to find paintings created by local up-and-coming Vietnamese artists.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 16:30
Admission: free