On October 31, 2025, the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum (VNFAM) officially launched its newest cultural tourism initiative, “Museum Night” – marking the first-ever nighttime art experience in the museum’s history.
This pioneering program opens a new cultural space for both Hanoians and international visitors, enriching the capital’s growing portfolio of nighttime tourism experiences and cultural attractions.
A Collaborative Model for Cultural Innovation
The launch of “Museum Night” is part of the Museum’s ongoing efforts to innovate its public engagement strategies in line with Hà Nội’s cultural industry development agenda. The program is co-organized with community storytelling brand Hanoi Stories and the creative collective Hanoi FM under a flexible public-private partnership model.
This collaboration represents a forward-looking approach to cultural resource mobilization, bridging institutional heritage spaces with contemporary creative communities to deliver more accessible, engaging experiences for the public.
Monthly Thematic Nights of Art and Culture
“Museum Night” will be held on the last Friday of every month, with each edition built around a unique seasonal theme.
The first three scheduled events include:
- Charming Autumn – October 31, 2025
- Winter Street Stories – November 28, 2025
- Missing the Twelve – December 26, 2025
Visitors can find updated information on themes and activities through the Museum’s official website, fanpage, and media channels.
A Multisensory Artistic Journey
As night falls, the museum’s illuminated facade and courtyard transform into a vibrant cultural space where guests can:
- Explore permanent exhibitions using the iMuseum VFA mobile app with multilingual interpretation
- Join live art demonstrations, interactive sketching sessions, and hands-on craft workshops such as woodblock printing and lantern decoration on traditional Dó paper
- Engage in conversations with art historians and museum experts, learning about Vietnam’s nine national treasures and other masterpieces of fine arts heritage
A Fusion of Art, Music, and Storytelling
Beyond the exhibitions, “Museum Night” invites visitors into a refined cultural atmosphere where visual art meets music and literature. Chamber music and poetry performances by artists from the Vietnam National Academy of Music add an emotional dimension to the museum experience, transforming it into a space for connection, reflection, and artistic appreciation.
Guests can also enjoy souvenirs at LaArt, refreshments at LeArt Café, and exclusive evening discounts, creating a complete sensory journey rather than a conventional museum visit.
Each month features new performances, activities, and curatorial interpretations – reinforcing the idea of a living museum that evolves with its audience, encouraging creativity, dialogue, and cultural expression.
Redefining the Museum Experience After Dark
Speaking at the launch ceremony, VNFAM Director Nguyễn Anh Minh emphasized that “Museum Night” is not merely an extension of opening hours, but a new cultural product designed to deepen public engagement with art and heritage.
“Coming to the museum at night offers an entirely different atmosphere,” he shared. “Instead of a concert hall, visitors can step into a quiet museum bathed in evening light – to contemplate art, hear its stories, and immerse in classical melodies. It’s an experience that touches both the eye and the heart.”
He added that the initiative includes interactive zones designed to attract younger audiences, where they can experiment with art-making and understand creative processes. “We aim to nurture future generations of cultural participants — not only cultural consumers,” he said.
Contributing to Hà Nội’s Cultural Night Economy
“Museum Night” marks a significant step in VNFAM’s broader renewal process – expanding access to art, revitalizing heritage through creative engagement, and contributing to the development of Hà Nội’s nighttime cultural economy.
Through its partnership with Hanoi Stories (boasting over 2.5 million online followers) and Hanoi FM, which unites young creative practitioners, the Museum demonstrates a progressive vision of community-centered cultural governance – one that integrates institutional heritage with social creativity.
With thoughtful programming, inclusive collaboration, and sustained investment, “Museum Night” is set to become a new highlight in Vietnam’s cultural tourism landscape, reinforcing Hà Nội’s image as a city of creativity, heritage, and contemporary cultural vitality.
Australian Hospitality Alumni Network Vietnam 