“First Mui Ne Museum of Antiques” is a non-state museum owned by Mr. Nguyen Ngoc An (Mui Ne ward, Phan Thiet City). This first-of-its-kind museum has been recently granted an operation license by the Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee. This private museum upholds and displays a variety of historical memories and the country’s cultural and historical fineness.
Mui Ne Museum of Antiquities officially came into operation on October 5, 2023, according to the provisions of Circular No. 18 dated December 31, 2010, of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. It is subject to State management of the Binh Thuan Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and local authorities. The museum is located in Quarter 5, Mui Ne Ward, Phan Thiet City, and offers free admission for all visitors. The museum displays more than 40,000 artifacts and antiques of historical, cultural, and economic value, dating from 1,500 BC to before 1975, divided into many themes. These include antiques of the Dong Son culture, jewelry of the Oc Eo culture, Khmer culture, Sa Huynh pottery, Go Sanh pottery of the Cham people in Binh Dinh, antiques of the Dinh, Le, Ly, Tran dynasties, Artifacts serving religious beliefs; Cham statues, ancient tombstones through the ages, Southern ceramics, etc. Notably, the set of 20-string stone instruments he collected in Bao Loc (Lam Dong), dates back more than 3,500 years.
Reportedly, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc An (born in 1975) is currently the Chairman of the UNESCO Club for researching and collecting antiques in Binh Thuan province. Since he was 12 years old, he has had a passion for collecting pieces of broken pottery from jars, vases, and cups belonging to the Sa Huynh culture and Cham culture found in coastal sand dunes to bring back for research and study. In addition to the knowledge he learned from archaeologists and ethnologists, he recognized and classified types and assessed dates through patterns, types, and materials. He donated thousands of precious artifacts to museums inside and outside the province and universities for display, serving visitors, and teaching. Passionate, knowledgeable, and diligent in research, he has opened a gallery in his family for many years to serve visitors for free.
Artifacts on display at Mui Ne Antiquities Museum
Thanks to his great passion for antique collection, the establishment of the Mui Ne Museum of Antiquities will contribute to preserving priceless cultural treasures in the nation's development process. Those clear evidence of the cultural picture, religious and spiritual life of the Vietnamese ethnic community in general and Binh Thuan in particular, thereby educating the people about patriotism and gratitude to their ancestors. In addition, this is also a stop for tourists to visit and relax. Moreover, the debut of the museum will increase recognition, connect destinations, and contribute to the development of the local tourism industry.
Reportedly, Binh Thuan currently has 2 public museums: Binh Thuan Provincial Museum, Ho Chi Minh Museum - Binh Thuan Branch, and 2 private museums: Old Fishing Village Fish Sauce Museum, and Mui Ne Museum of Antiquities.
Visitors can freely visit and learn about the stone-made instrument.
Translated by My Thien