Art is everywhere in this city of Hanoi — from the Hanoi Museum of Fine Arts, with three floors and more than 2,000 objects on display, including artifacts from the Stone and Bronze Ages, an array of Buddhist images (one from 1057) and early lacquer paintings, to the many Hanoi restaurants that incorporate contemporary Vietnamese art into their decor.

When looking out at the museum, ramps seem to be floating over the landscape. Visitors to the museum reach could the upper levels via a spiral ramp.

To be more specific the museum is like an upside-down pyramid to look like a lotus at night. Within the square building, a central circular atrium links the entrance level with the three exhibition levels. The upwardly projecting stories cause in each of the layers below a shading, which is part of the energy efficiency concept. Since the interior spaces are protected from direct sunlight, also a conservative impact is created for the exhibits.

There is a tree garden decorating the front terrace. The Hanoi Museum of Fine Arts itself is free to enter, which is a definite plus. There are four stories, each one larger than the next. There is a lot of pottery (vases, bowls, urns), as well as some interesting printing blocks, jewelery, two hallowed out canoes, photographs, a butterfly collection, and a whole host of rocks. The photographs of old Hanoi are interesting, but unless you’ve exhausted every other avenue of art and entertainment in Hanoi.

Throughout 40 years, Vietnam Fine Arts Museum deserves the centre for fine arts and culture study, contributes to the preservation and promotion cause of the nation’s cultural heritage.