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All Vietnam Hanoi Bao tang Dong vat (Hanoi Zoological Museum)

Bao tang Dong vat (Hanoi Zoological Museum)

A French-Colonial era collection of taxidermy and wet specimens, secreted away in the National University of Hanoi.

Hanoi, Vietnam

Added By
Michelle Enemark
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Mammal Room   Michelle Enemark
Skeletons in the Hallway   Michelle Enemark
Oddly-shaped Deer   Michelle Enemark
Baby Elephant surrounded by monkeys   Michelle Enemark
Taxidermied Friends   Michelle Enemark
Fish and Amphibian Room   Michelle Enemark
Surprised Lynx   Michelle Enemark
Turtles and Fishes   Michelle Enemark
Bird Room   Michelle Enemark
Eyeless Vulture   Michelle Enemark
Tray of Bird Study Skins   Michelle Enemark
Neatly Labeled Bird Feet   Michelle Enemark
Elephant Skeleton Greets visitors at the Museum’s Entrance   Michelle Enemark
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About

In a beautiful old building on the Hanoi University grounds, the Zoological Museum consists of three rooms located at the top of a set of stairs. A looming elephant skeleton lets visitors know that they've come to the right place. 

Mr. Vu Ngoc Thanh, the director himself, acts as a guide through the rooms, and is delighted to answer questions about any of the specimens on display. All three of the rooms are stuffed to the gills with, respectively, mammals, fish/amphibians, and birds. 

The collection is quite old and has barely been touched since the early 1900s. Though Mr. Thanh would like to see the collection updated, the crumbling, ramshackle specimens have a distinct charm for visitors who are accustomed to bright modern displays. 

The mammal room is set up in an especially unique manner - a parade of big cats, monkeys, bears, deer, rodents, a baby elephant, and others appear to be stampeding toward the door together.

This little-known museum isn't listed in any guide books and does not have open hours. At the time of this writing, it can only be visited by setting up an appointment with the director.

Related Tags

Secret Museums Wonder Cabinets Taxidermy Natural History Museums Museums Natural History Hunting And Taxidermy
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Added By

michelle

Edited By

Martin, Molly McBride Jacobson

  • Martin
  • Molly McBride Jacobson

Published

December 29, 2015

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Bao tang Dong vat (Hanoi Zoological Museum)
19 Le Thanh Tong
Hanoi
Vietnam
21.020579, 105.858346
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