Da Nang museums offer free admission on Sept. 2

Journey through Da Nang’s history

For travellers looking for something beyond beaches, seafood and bustling holiday attractions, the city’s museums provide a quieter but equally memorable experience that connects visitors with Da Nang’s past and the diverse cultures of the region.

The Da Nang Museum, at 42-44 Bach Dang Street in Hai Chau Ward, and its second facility at 281 Phan Boi Chau Street in Ban Thach Ward, will welcome visitors free of charge on Sept. 2.

The exhibitions offer an insight into the region’s history, heritage and everyday cultural life, allowing visitors to see Da Nang not simply as a modern coastal destination but as a city shaped by centuries of history.

Discovering the legacy of Champa

One of the highlights of the National Day program is the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture, which will offer free admission on Sept. 2 from 7am to 5pm.

The museum is home to 12 national treasures, the largest collection of its kind in Da Nang, and houses an extraordinary collection of Cham sculptures dating back more than 1,200 years.

Among the most remarkable works are the Tra Kieu Pedestal and My Son E1 Pedestal, both dating from the seventh to eighth centuries, as well as a Ganesha statue, the Tra Kieu Apsara relief and the Tara Bodhisattva statue from Dong Duong.

For visitors, these ancient objects are traces of a civilization that once flourished across Central Vietnam, offering a glimpse into the artistic imagination, religious beliefs and craftsmanship of the ancient Cham people.

Normally, admission to the Cham Sculpture Museum costs VND60,000 per adult. On Sept. 2, however, visitors can explore its collections free of charge.

The museum is also adding a festive touch to the holiday with cultural performances, including the “Champa Dance”, as well as a special Handpan music performance held both inside and around the museum grounds for the first time.

The program is designed to create a meeting point between heritage, music and people, bringing together local Handpan enthusiasts as well as international residents and visitors experiencing Da Nang.

“Da Nang Urban Sketches” exhibition

Another stop worth adding to the itinerary is the Da Nang Fine Arts Museum at 78 Le Duan Street.

This museum is offering free admission, giving visitors a chance to explore local art and the “Da Nang Urban Sketches” exhibition, running from August 26 to September 15.

The 69 works in the exhibition offer 69 distinct perspectives and stories, yet each reflects a shared love, deep connection and appreciation for the city.

The exhibition offers another perspective on the city, capturing its changing urban landscape and the stories behind its development.

This National Day, Da Nang’s museums invite visitors to slow down, explore, and connect with the stories, art and heritage that make the city truly memorable.

Translated by THU LE