Unique antique museum in Mui Ne

In Mui Ne (Lam Dong province), there is a man who has spent nearly 40 years collecting, researching, donating, and preserving cultural and historical values.

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc An

The man is Nguyen Ngoc An, and as his name suggests, the space – the exhibition of antiques – is hidden away in an alley. But it is a unique antique museum in Mui Ne, which he himself founded and has preserved for nearly 40 years.

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc An next to a corner of his collection.

The Mui Ne Museum of Ancient Artifacts was established in 2023 and is directly managed by Mr. Nguyen Ngoc An, an antique collector with a passion for collecting since childhood. Spanning over 2,500 square ^meters , the museum currently houses approximately 50,000 artifacts, dating from 1500 BC to before 1975. The artifacts are arranged according to various themes: from ceramics, paintings, sculptures, and Cham royal costumes, to ancient stone musical instruments, tombstones, and folk beliefs… Each item tells a valuable story of history, culture, and archaeology.

Ms. Nguyen Thao My, a tourist from Ho Chi Minh City, excitedly said: "I find it very beautiful. This is the first time I've been to a private museum, and seeing the artifacts firsthand is quite moving. The exhibits are meticulously arranged and very abstract, which piqued my curiosity. Overall, this is a place that I find quite impressive."

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc An is introducing the 20-tone stone xylophone to tourists.

More than just a place to display artifacts, this is also a cultural and tourist destination that attracts visitors and inspires the community. It's especially appealing to those passionate about research and learning. Highlights of the collection include a 20-string five-tone stone xylophone dating back over 3,000 years and a set of silver jewelry from the Cham royal family, both rare and valuable artifacts in Southeast Asia.

The group visits the Museum of Ancient Artifacts in Mui Ne.

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc An, founder of the Mui Ne Museum of Ancient Artifacts: “Actually, for many years, I have always wanted to both collect and research the cultures of ethnic groups. Especially Cham culture, because Cham culture has unique characteristics, suitable for serving tourism, and can spread to tourists from all over the world when they visit Mui Ne and learn about the local culture of each region in Lam Dong .”

Ancient burial ground

Beyond collecting, Mr. An also connects different regions by donating nearly 50,000 artifacts to schools, research institutes, and museums nationwide. Since opening, the museum has welcomed over 100,000 visitors, mostly students and researchers. Despite having staff to assist him, Mr. An still dedicates time to explaining and recounting the story of each artifact with passion.

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There is no entrance fee here; if visitors wish to see or study the site, we are happy to assist them.

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc An, the founder of the Mui Ne Museum of Ancient Artifacts.

With no entrance fee and frequent collaborations with educational institutions and cultural organizations, the museum is increasingly recognized as a reputable learning and research destination. Since its official opening, the museum has welcomed over 100,000 domestic and international visitors. Stories about its origins, craftsmanship, customs, and beliefs help viewers gain a deeper understanding of ancient values.

Tourists enjoy visiting museums.

Tourist Nguyen Phan Huy: “After visiting, I was very surprised and fascinated by this museum. For example, the stone xylophone set is very captivating; the sound it produces when the owner plays a piece of music is wonderful. There is knowledge I've never learned before. It's very interesting!”

Professor Eric Jose Olmedo Panal, Director - UEF International Institute

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The trip was very interesting for me, from sandboarding to visiting the museum of ancient artifacts; each place, each activity, and each experience was meaningful. Each place has its own cultural value that needs to be preserved.

Professor Eric Jose Olmedo Panal, Director - UEF International Institute

Mr. Vo Thanh Huy, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Lam Dong Province

Mr. Vo Thanh Huy, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Lam Dong province, said: "In the context of the strong shift in tourism trends from relaxation to cultural experiences, museums have become a special highlight. Not only focusing on traditional displays, museums are also digitizing all artifacts, opening up broader access on digital platforms, especially for young people and researchers."

Famtrip group visits Mui Ne Ancient Artifacts Museum

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We are on the path to digital transformation and are collaborating with relevant organizations to bring the Museum into the digital space, to serve the research and information needs of anyone with a shared passion.

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc An

Within the museum grounds, there are many exhibition areas organized by theme.

Mui Ne Museum of Ancient Artifacts - A unique destination for tourists. (Video: VNA/Vietnam+)

Nestled deep within an alley, guided by a philosophy of not seeking publicity but demonstrating his dedication through quiet devotion over the years, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc An has continued his research and exploration, creating a vibrant museum of ancient artifacts. Here, heritage is not only preserved but also retold, spreading its message to the community as a token of gratitude to the land that nurtured and raised him.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/doc-dao-bao-tang-co-vat-o-mui-ne-391991.html