Museums across the southern metropolis have become busier than ever in recent days, with large numbers of young visitors flocking to exhibitions following the introduction of a policy granting students free admission to museums and historical sites managed by the municipal Department of Culture and Sports from October 1.

The visits have gone beyond simply viewing exhibits, becoming lively, hands-on learning experiences that encourage students to explore the country’s culture and history.

At the Ho Chi Minh City Museum, many groups of university students have come to gather materials for major assignments and end-of-term essays.

Nguyen Minh Tri, a student at Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade, said free admission gives young people greater motivation to learn about the history of the city where they live and study, while encouraging them to invite more friends to visit.

His schoolmate Nguyen Ngoc Toan agreed that the policy helps students deepen their knowledge of Vietnamese history, which they can then share with international friends.

“Free admission makes historical values more accessible to students,” said Nguyen Quoc Thinh, a third-year civil engineering student at the Ho Chi Minh City campus of the University of Transport and Communications.

“As a student in the civil engineering faculty, museum visits also allow me to observe firsthand the museum’s architectural form and distinctive cultural features,” Thinh added.

He expressed hope that the policy would be extended to more historical sites.

 Secondary and primary school students are also enjoying such engaging, hands-on history “lessons.”

Pham Nguyen Vi Anh, an 11th-grade student at Truong Chinh High School in Dong Hung Thuan Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, visited the War Remnants Museum with her homeroom teacher and classmates to work on a research project.

“When I held the free admission ticket in my hand, I felt that students were being given a great opportunity to learn more about history,” Vi Anh said.

 The excitement has also spread to young primary school visitors.

Le Hoang Khoi, a fifth-grade student at Nguyen Van Banh Primary School in Truong Tho Ward, asked his parents to take him to a museum as soon as he heard about the policy.

Curious about how Vietnamese people lived in the past, Khoi carefully examined the statues and ancient pottery on display.

He hopes to visit the Nha Rong Wharf and the Geological Museum of Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City in the future.

Do Anh Khang, a fourth-grade student at Trung Trac Primary School in Phu Tho Ward, spent a full day visiting the Ho Chi Minh City Museum with his family.

Excited to enter the museum free of charge, Anh Khang eagerly explored the exhibits and said he planned to ask his parents to take him to the War Remnants Museum on their next outing.