Hanoi Museum welcomes Tet with Dragon Horse Heritage Exhibition
As Tet approaches, one of the capital’s largest cultural institutions is reopening with expanded access and a renewed focus on public engagement.
THE HANOI TIMES — The Hanoi Museum has opened the Long Ma khai van (The Dragon Horse ushers in literary brilliance) exhibition as a cultural greeting for the 2026 Tet (Lunar New Year) and the 96th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam (February 3, 1930-2026).
Visitors view the Long Ma khai van exhibition at Hanoi Museum. Photos: Hoang Lan/The Hanoi Times
The exhibition features more than 100 artifacts and artworks from the museum’s collection and local artisans, examining the image of Long Ma in Vietnamese folk belief and traditional craftsmanship.
In Vietnamese culture, Long Ma combines elements of the dragon, qilin and horse. Folk tradition associates the mythical creature with strength, joy, beauty and good fortune, embedding it deeply in both spiritual and daily life.
Artisans in Thang Long-Hanoi have long drawn inspiration from the Long Ma image, expressing it across diverse materials and craft forms, scholars say.
On display are finely crafted silver horse figures, ceramic sculptures, paintings and photographs centered on equine imagery, reflecting how the motif has evolved organically within folk culture.
Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy, an artisan whose work “Thong dong” appears in the exhibition, said each piece requires multiple meticulous stages. She completes only one or two works a week, spending most of the time on fine detailing.
Her work draws inspiration from childhood toy stalls of the past, selectively restored to revive memories of traditional play while reinforcing cultural identity.
The exhibition also presents silver products from Dinh Cong silver-crafting village. Artisan Quach Phan Tuan Anh said his work aims to convey wishes of health and success for the new year.
Ceramic horse figure on display.
Alongside the special exhibition, the Hanoi Museum has launched its long-awaited permanent exhibition following years of research, collection and curation.
Opened in 2010 to mark the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long, the museum has hosted major cultural and civic events. The new display is its most comprehensive to date.
The permanent exhibition brings together more than 7,000 artifacts and documents, including six national treasures, organized into seven thematic sections tracing Hanoi’s development from early settlement through wartime periods, postwar reconstruction and future direction.
The museum has expanded interactive and experiential spaces beyond traditional display cases to help visitors engage more directly with historical narratives.
Multimedia installations, hands-on elements and rotating thematic displays complement the main exhibition and allow the venue to host a wide range of cultural, political and social activities.
Indoor displays span three floors and include a section dedicated to Dang Thuy Tram, a wartime doctor from Hanoi whose diaries became a widely read personal account of the war.
Outdoor areas are nearing completion, with installations highlighting Hanoi during aerial bombardment and creative pavilions designed to enrich the visitor experience ahead of Tet.
Ceramic sculptures featured in the exhibition.
Nguyen Tien Da, Director of the Hanoi Museum, said the exhibition reflects efforts to present cultural heritage in accessible and engaging ways.
“We aim to build the Hanoi Museum into a destination that reflects the depth of Thang Long-Hanoi’s cultural identity while encouraging creativity and public engagement,” he said.
To widen public access during the 2026 Lunar New Year, which falls on February 17-22, the museum will offer free admission for one month until March 2, allowing visitors to explore both permanent and rotating exhibitions.
Officials said the initiative aims to position the museum as an accessible cultural stop during the holiday period, particularly for families and international visitors seeking insight into Hanoi’s heritage.
