The HCMC government has proposed revising up entrance fees at major museums in the city, with the new prices expected to be applicable next January. 

As planned by the city government, the new admission fee at War Remnants Museum is VND40,000 per ticket, a steep rise compared to the current VND15,000 a ticket for foreign visitors and VND2,000 for local visitors.

For entrance to Museum of HCMC, HCMC Fine Arts Museum and Museum of History, a ticket is proposed at VND30,000, compared to the current fees of VND5,000-10,000.

Meanwhile, Ho Chi Minh Museum’s HCMC branch, Ton Duc Thang Museum and Southern Women’s Museum do not charge entrance fees.

As for children aged six and below and people with serious disabilities, the city government is planning free admission. In addition, there will be a 50% discount for children between six and 16, students at public educational institutions, policy people, the elderly and people with disabilities.

According to the HCMC Department of Culture and Sports, the current admission prices have been in place since 2005 and are lower than most museums in the country.

For instance, to enter Vietnam National Museum of History, Vietnam Museum of Ethnology and Danang Museum of Cham Sculpture, a visitor is paying VND40,000. In addition, Vietnam Fine Arts Museum and Hue Museum of Royal Fine Arts are charging VND30,000 per ticket.

Due to low revenues, museums in HCMC are unable to afford new equipment, purchase antiques and improve services, said the department.

Last year, Ho Chi Minh Museum’s HCMC branch earned only VND300 million in revenue, and HCMC Fine Arts Museum VND500 million. Meanwhile, spending of each of these museums was over VND2.7 billion.

SGT