Geological Museum of Vietnam

The Geological Museum is a science museum on Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The museum functions as the southern branch of the national Geological Museum of Vietnam. It stands near the city’s Zoo and Botanical Gardens. The institution preserves and displays a collection of geological and mineral specimens.

The museum’s collection contains more than 20,000 items. These include rocks, minerals, drill cores, and fossils. The exhibits document the geological history of Vietnam. Displays feature gemstones like ruby, sapphire, and topaz. A large geological map of Vietnam, completed in 1988, is a central feature. The collection originated with the French colonial-era Geological Survey of Indochina. A portion of the main collection was moved from Hanoi to Saigon in 1954.

The current building dates to 1970. The museum occupied the premises in 1973. The structure exhibits an early Vietnamese modernist architectural style. Its interior features wooden display cabinets and hallways that reflect its period. The exhibits are organized across three floors. Each floor covers a different theme, including general geology, minerals, and paleontology. The museum is a member of the International Council of Museums (ICOM).

The institution serves both scientific research and public education roles. It provides resources for students and researchers in earth sciences. The collection includes samples from across Vietnam and other parts of the world. It also features specimens gathered from the Trường Sa archipelago. The museum offers free admission to visitors during its opening hours.