Inauguration of Natural History Exhibition Room in Phong Dien, Hue City

01/10/2025

On the morning of September 9, 2025, the Vietnam Museum of Nature – under Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) – held the inauguration of the Natural History Exhibition Room at the Centre for Conservation of Vietnam’s Natural Resources and Wildlife Rescue (CCRR) in Phong Dien, Hue City.

Attending the ceremony were Prof. Acad. Chau Van Minh, Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Party Committee and President of VAST; Prof. Dr. Chu Hoang Ha – Vice President of VAST together with representatives of the Academy’s subordinate units; from Hue City were Mr. Le Truong Luu – Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the City Party Committee, Chairman of the People’s Council and Head of the National Assembly Delegation of the city; Mr. Nguyen Van Phuong – Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Hue City; Mr. Nguyen Thanh Binh – Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Hue City along with leaders of departments, sectors and localities.

Delegates carry out the ribbon-cutting ceremony to inaugurate the Natural History Exhibition Room

Hue City leaders present congratulatory flowers

Vietnam is a country rich in natural resources, biodiversity, geology and palaeontology. Each fossil, mineral, ore or rare species embodies a story of hundreds of millions of years of Earth’s history. Therefore, the Natural History Exhibition Room is not only a place to preserve scientific values but also a bridge bringing knowledge and science closer to the community, especially the younger generation, contributing to nurturing love for nature, the homeland and people, and awareness of nature conservation, environmental protection and sustainable development.

The Natural History Exhibition Room recreates vividly the history of the Earth through fossil, mineral, animal and plant specimens on land and in the ocean, as well as the evolutionary history of humankind; it is arranged into nine sections: History of Life on Earth, Minerals, Insect Specimens, Plants, Animals, Large Reptiles, Birds, Marine Life and Anthropology.

The History of Life on Earth section: the display space includes 13 units with specimens and fossils representing four major geological eras: Precambrian (4.5 billion–541 million years), Paleozoic (541–252 million years), Mesozoic (252–66 million years) and Cenozoic (66 million years–present). Each era had its own development expressed through different periods.

The Mineral section: Here visitors can explore the richness of Vietnam’s underground mineral resources including metallic ores, non-metallic minerals, semi-precious stones and minerals, fossil fuels and construction stones.

The Insect Specimen section: Vietnam has about 20,000 insect species known, though the exact number has not been fully recorded. Here typical insect orders are displayed such as beetles, butterflies and cicadas.

The Plant section: this section shows the richness of the plant world. Plants create fresh air, provide food and medicine, and form the foundation of life. Through this section the Museum conveys the message: let us protect and conserve forests and biodiversity – protecting human life itself.

The Animal section: this section features various groups including Carnivores, Primates and Even-toed Ungulates. Visitors can perceive the beauty, diversity and significance of Vietnam’s wildlife. Each specimen is not only a manifestation of nature but also a reminder of the responsibility of preservation for future generations.

The Large Reptile section: these are ancient, unique creatures that help maintain natural balance and carry great conservation value. Specimens include Siamese crocodiles, clouded monitor lizards, pangolins, tortoises and freshwater turtles, and marine turtles.

The Bird section: presenting the diversity of the bird world, divided into three main groups – ground-dwelling (jungle fowl, Indian peafowl, white peafowl), aquatic (herons) and flying (laughingthrushes, parrots).

The Marine Life section: a space with marine specimens such as ocean sunfish, giant clams and sea conches.

The Anthropology section: the development history of humankind studied through fossil skulls. From early hominins learning to stand upright, Australopithecus paved the way for the Homo genus – where early humans made tools, controlled fire and left Africa. Through Homo erectus to H. heidelbergensis branching into Neanderthals, Denisovans and finally Homo sapiens. Modern humans carried intellect, memory and culture across the globe. This includes main groups: early hominins (7–4 million years ago); gracile hominins (4–2 million years ago); robust hominins (2.7–1.2 million years ago); archaic humans (2.4 million years ago) and modern humans.

Within the exhibition are also collections of prehistoric archaeological artefacts of Vietnam. Stone tools represent the Pre-Hoa Binh – Hoa Binh period in the Northwest and North Central regions, dating relatively from the Old Stone Age to the Middle Neolithic.

With scientific, vivid and high-standard displays, this will be an important venue serving education and training, an ideal place for pupils and students to explore and learn about biodiversity and natural history of Vietnam, thereby raising awareness of nature conservation, biodiversity and sustainable environmental protection.

Speaking at the ceremony, Prof. Acad. Chau Van Minh, President of VAST, stated that this was an important milestone in the journey of research and conservation of natural resources of the Vietnam Museum of Nature in Central Vietnam – Hue City. The inauguration not only holds cultural and scientific significance but also demonstrates the connection between the Academy and Hue City in scientific research and natural conservation, as well as the Academy’s commitment to accompany the national strategy on science, technology and sustainable development of the locality. He affirmed continued support for the Centre to become a nucleus promoting interdisciplinary research, training young scientific talent, and a practical venue spreading knowledge on biodiversity, geology, palaeontology and archaeology to scientists, experts, students and the community. Phong Dien will also be an important link in the Academy’s national network of research and conservation facilities.

Prof. Acad. Chau Van Minh, President of VAST speaks at the ceremony

Addressing the ceremony, Chairman of Hue City People’s Committee Nguyen Van Phuong stressed that the establishment and operation of the Natural History Exhibition Room is an important milestone in the journey of scientific research, museology and natural conservation of the Vietnam Museum of Nature in Central Vietnam and Hue City. This is a result of the Academy’s major programmes such as the Tay Nguyen Programme, the National Collection Project of Vietnam’s natural specimens and other scientific tasks at various levels. It is also an outcome of the regular and effective cooperation between the Hue City People’s Committee and the Academy in research, conservation, development and scientific application.

The exhibition room promises to be a highly interesting destination, contributing to diversifying tourism products of Hue City.