Geology Museum

The Geological Museum, located near the National Museum of Vietnamese History in Hanoi, is a one-of-a-kind repository of information about the rocks, fossils, and gemstones of Vietnam. The collections are organized into categories that provide extensive information about the country’s geological development and mineral riches.

The French colonial authorities of Indochina founded the Geological Survey of Indochina in 1898. Two geologists, H. Lantenois and H. Mansuy, were tasked with constructing a museum to exhibit numerous artifacts discovered during the survey. The riches of items, minerals, fossils, and diamonds from across the country were housed in a majestic French-style building constructed in 1914. When the museum first opened, it had only one floor. In 1915, two additional floors were erected to adequately display all specimens gathered during and after the first geological survey.

The Vietnam Department of Geology and Minerals currently owns the museum. Exhibits are organized into three primary divisions and twelve sub-components. The section on the evolution of geology explains how many of Vietnam’s picturesque natural wonders were formed. The museum also has numerous geological literature that may be of interest to tourists and students. The most typically occuring gemstone in Vietnam, rubies can be purchased at a neighboring store.