Vietnam National Museum of Nature: A 20-year journey of strong construction and development
Delivering the opening speech at the ceremony, the Director General of the Vietnam National Museum of Nature stated that the idea of establishing the Museum had been envisioned by former Prime Minister Pham Van Dong since the 1980s. Over different periods, generations of Academy leaders made strategic and breakthrough decisions to form and develop the institution, from Prof. Acad. Tran Dai Nghia and Prof. Acad. Nguyen Van Hieu establishing the project drafting committee in 1985, Prof. Acad. Dang Vu Minh issuing the official establishment decision, to Prof. Academician Chau Van Minh deciding to invest in a new facility in Kieu Phu from 2014, and Prof. Dr Tran Hong Thai continuing to complete this project.
Associate Professor Dr Nguyen Trung Minh – Director General of the Vietnam National Museum of Nature
The Museum currently has a staff of more than 50 officials and employees, including more than 20 Associate Professors and Doctors. In addition to its main facility in Hanoi, the Museum has expanded its research, conservation and exhibition facilities to Hue and Quang Tri. In particular, an important milestone was established on November 25, 2025, when the infrastructure construction project of the Vietnam National Museum of Nature, covering more than 38 hectares, was officially launched in Kieu Phu Commune, Hanoi, opening up a large-scale development space for the future.
In professional work, internal operations, specimen preparation and preservation account for 70% of the workload. The Museum has built a core collection of more than 100,000 specimens serving exhibition and research purposes, preserving many rare specimens along with a large database system exceeding 2 terabytes. Specimen preparation work has reached a high standard, notably the completion of the Ho Guom turtle specimen preparation in 2019. In scientific research, the Museum has published more than 1,000 papers in prestigious journals, including nearly 500 SCI/SCIE-indexed articles. In particular, the archaeological discovery at the Krong No volcanic cave system in Dak Nong was listed among the top 10 outstanding national science and technology events in 2018. The Museum has also effectively fulfilled its role as the CITES Scientific Authority of Vietnam. At the same time, exhibition and public service activities account for 30% of the workload, with the “Evolution of Life” exhibition hall welcoming 50,000-70,000 visitors annually since opening in May 2014.
In recognition of these efforts, the Museum was awarded the Third-Class Labour Order in 2016 and received a Certificate of Merit from the President of the Academy at the ceremony.
Prof. Dr Chu Hoang Ha, Vice President of the Academy, delivering remarks at the ceremony
Speaking at the ceremony, Prof. Dr Chu Hoang Ha requested the Museum’s Board of Directors and all staff members to continue preserving and maintaining the integrity of the national specimen collection, while accelerating digitalisation to contribute to the Academy’s and the nation’s big data systems. The Museum also needs to actively conduct research and apply science and technology towards becoming a leading regional research centre, while focusing resources on effectively implementing the construction project of the new facility in Kieu Phu Commune.
Immediately after the anniversary ceremony, the 4th National Scientific Conference on the Vietnam National Museum of Nature System was held, allowing domestic and international experts to exchange new research results, share experiences and propose breakthrough solutions in museum work, biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.
Taking a photograph
Translated by Tuyet Nhung
Link to Vietnamese version
