Here are some of Ho Chi Minh City’s most distinctive lesser-known museums:

Pho Museum

Founded by Tran Van Bac, chairman of Vietnam Travel Destination Joint Stock Company, the Pho Museum opened in early 2026 as a space that traces more than a century of Vietnam’s iconic noodle soup, from humble street vendors to a globally recognized dish.

Spanning around 800 square meters, the museum is arranged across three floors with a closed-loop visitor route.

Visitors can explore the historical context, cultural value, and enjoy hands-on culinary experiences.

A highlight is the exhibition area featuring hundreds of artifacts, documents, and images related to pho across Vietnam’s three regions.

Interactive mini games simulate the pho-making process, helping visitors remember the ingredients and steps behind a complete bowl.

The museum is open daily from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, including weekends and public holidays.

A 90-minute full experience ticket costs VND 750,000 (US$28.5) for adults and VND500,000 ($19) for children between one meter and 1.4 meters in height, while children under one meter enter free of charge. A visit typically lasts about 90 minutes.

Address: 211 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Ben Thanh Ward.

Museum of Traditional Medicine

The museum, also known as FITO Museum, includes a ground floor and six upper levels, with 18 exhibition rooms covering nearly 600 square meters.

From the moment they enter, visitors are greeted by the scent of herbal ingredients.

The museum houses more than 3,000 valuable artifacts related to traditional medicine, spanning from the Stone Age to modern times, including preparation tools, books, and specialized documents.

Tours begin from the top floor and move downward.

On the fifth floor, notable sections include the Hall of Vietnamese Physicians, featuring 15 portraits of renowned doctors and researchers of traditional medicine from the 13th to 19th centuries, and a general exhibition on Eastern traditional medicine, presenting its development in China, Vietnam, South Korea, and Japan, among others.

Equipped with a modern audiovisual system, the museum also screens a documentary titled 'A Century of Health Wisdom,' which introduces the formation and development of traditional Vietnamese medicine.

The museum is open daily from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, including weekends and holidays.

Admission is VND180,000 ($6.8) for adults, and VND90,000 ($3.4) for students, seniors, and children aged 2-15.

Address: 41 Hoang Du Khuong Street, Hoa Hung Ward.

Artinus 3D Art Museum

The museum takes its name from the well-known Artinus collection, featuring hundreds of 3D artworks created by 15 professional South Korean artists.

With a display space of more than 4,000 square meters, it is divided into nine themed zones suitable for visitors of all ages.

The Animal Zone recreates a vivid wildlife world, while the Master Piece Zone showcases classic artworks with strong humanistic value.

The Egypt Adventure Zone invites visitors to explore the mystery of ancient Egypt.

Opening hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm from Monday to Friday, and 9:00 am to 7:00 pm on weekends and public holidays.

Weekday tickets cost VND150,000 ($5.7) for adults and VND100,000 ($3.8) for children, rising to VND 200,000 ($7.6) and VND 150,000 respectively on weekends and holidays.

Address: 2-4 Street No. 9, Him Lam Residential Area, Tan Hung Ward.

The Factory Contemporary Art Center 

Founded in 2016 by artist Tia-Thuy Nguyen, The Factory has become a key destination for contemporary art lovers in Vietnam. 

Designed by HTA + Pizzini Architects, the building adopts an industrial 'factory' form, featuring over 500 square meters of exhibition space and a striking facade made from stacked art containers.

With a total area of about 1,000 square meters, the two-story space primarily uses steel and glass.

The containers are decorated with bold patterns and colors, creating a youthful and highly recognizable appearance.

More than just an exhibition showcasing venue for painting, sculpture, and installation art, it also serves as a space for interaction between artists and the public.

In addition to exhibitions, the center regularly hosts workshops, talks, performances, and film screenings.

Admission is VND80,000 ($3) for adults and VND40,000 ($1.5) for Inner Circle members, students, and children with valid ID, while children under 12 enter free.

It is open from Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00 am to 7:00 pm.

Address: 15 Nguyen U Di Street, An Khanh Ward.

Vietnam People's Air Force Museum

The museum features two main exhibition areas, indoor and outdoor, with nearly 40 key artifacts.

In the outdoor section, visitors are greeted by various types of military aircraft right from the entrance, including the UH-1 helicopter, U-17 reconnaissance aircraft, MiG-17 and MiG-21 fighter jets, Mi-8 and Mi-24 transport helicopters, and the F-5 fighter-bomber.

Inside, the museum has two exhibition floors displaying images, documents, and artifacts that trace the development of Vietnam’s air force.

The ground floor focuses on the combat role of the Vietnam People's Air Force during past resistance wars, as well as international missions in Cambodia and the northern border conflict in 1979.

The upper floor highlights the formation and development of the 370th Air Division.

Opening hours are 8:30 am to 11:00 am and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm from Monday to Thursday.

On weekends, only the outdoor exhibition area is open. Admission is free.

Address: 87 Thang Long Street, Tan Son Nhat Ward.