Museum of Sa Huynh Culture, Hoi An

The Museum of Sa Huynh Culture in Hoi An serves as a treasure trove of artifacts and insights into the Sa Huynh civilization, the pioneering traders of this historic port town. With its distinctive blend of Chinese, Japanese, and Southeast Asian architectural styles, the museum embodies the unique essence of Hoi An's cultural heritage.

As one of the premier national-caliber museums in Central Vietnam, the Museum of Sa Huynh Culture offers visitors a comprehensive exploration of ancient Sa Huynh customs, burial practices, and their intricate relationships with neighboring cultures. During the Iron Age, the Sa Huynh culture thrived in metalwork, specializing in the crafting of bronze and iron artifacts, as well as ceramics.

The museum's diverse collection includes a myriad of items such as jewelry, weapons, and utilitarian objects. Stone earrings in various shapes, ceramic housewares, onyx rings, copper axes, and iron axes are among the fascinating displays. Of particular note are the 200 terracotta funerary jars, dating back to the 1st Millennium BC, unearthed from 50 different sites. These gourd-shaped jars were utilized by ancient Champa residents for burial rituals.

Notable highlights of the museum include a Linga, a symbol commonly found in Cham towers, and a Western Han Dynasty bronze mirror dating from the 1st century BC. Adorned with intricate patterns, this mirror symbolizes the cultural prowess of the Sa Huynh tribe and is one of two extremely valuable mirrors discovered by archaeologists.

Religious artifacts such as sandstone statues of Vishnu, Nadin, Shiva, Makara, and Garuda captivate international tourists, offering a glimpse into the spiritual beliefs of ancient civilizations. Additionally, the Museum of the Revolution on the second floor showcases portraits of war heroes alongside modern objects like grenade launchers and AK-47s, providing a comprehensive overview of Vietnam's revolutionary history.