TripAdvisor, one of the biggest internet platforms for travelers to share their reviews and recommended any and many things, just released a list of 25 top picks of must visit museum in Asia from their 2018 Traveller's Choice Awards.
In all 25 museums from across Asia, 10 of it you can find in Southeast Asian countries, specifically Vietnam, Cambodia, Singapore, and Thailand.
1. War Remnants Museum | Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
If you want to learn about Vietnam War that used horrible chemicals such as napalm and agent orange from the country's point of view, this place is one you should visit.
The museum store more than 20,000 documents, exhibits and films, in which more than 1,500 documents, artifacts, films have been applied to introduce in eight thematic exhibition frequently. Some of the exhibits are not for the faint of heart, so viewer discretion is advised.
In 35 years, the Museum has welcomed over 15 million visitors at home and abroad. Currently with about 500,000 visitors each year, the War Remnants Museum is one of the only cultural tourism to attract high public credibility at home and abroad. It's really unquestionable that it ranked first in the list.
2. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum | Phnom Penh, Cambodia
“Harrowing but important to visit,” said one of over ten thousands reviews about the museum. Most of the comments express a similar sentiment, which one couldn't agree more.
The museum, just like War Remnants Museum in Vietnam, isn't for you who can't digest human cruelty. The former torture and detention center is a haunting museum that took number two in the list. Rows of photos of the victims of the Khmer Rouge are displayed to remind people of what happened in the country just around 40 years ago. A tip from travelers, the audio tour is totally worth every bucks spent.
3. Battlebox | Singapore
Ranked 6 in the list, this museum is applauded as a place to learn about Singapore's role in World War II and an alternative to get away from scorching sun in the afternoon.
A former underground command center in Fort Canning Hill, the Battlebox was part of the Malaya Command Headquarters during World War II. It was here that Lt-Gen Percival made the fateful decision to surrender Singapore to the Japanese on 15 February 1942. Visiting Battlebox is like a journey back in time to 1942 to discover the true causes of the Fall of Singapore and learn how an underground command center functioned during the war. Many travelers suggest to take a guided tour to have a more comprehensive understanding about the history and to access the bunker.
4. Vietnamese Women's Museum | Hanoi, Vietnam
Focused on the contribution of women to Vietnam's history and culture, this museum highlights women's roles in Vietnam's many military conflicts as well as in commerce, including features on female street vendors, women's role in the family, and more recently, single mothers in Vietnam.
A tip from traveler: watch the video interviews with women at the start. And, get the audio tour.
5. Vietnam Museum of Ethnology | Hanoi, Vietnam
Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is a unit under Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences. The mission of the Museum is scientific research, collection, documentation, conservation, exhibition and preserving the cultural and historic patrimony of the nation's different ethnic groups. Who knows that Vietnam comprised of 54 ethnic groups?
The museum, ranked 10 in the list, also serves to guide research, conservation, and technology that are specific to the work of an ethnographic museum. Many travelers recommend to visit the outdoor garden that has display of villages.
6. Cambodia War Remnant Museum | Siem Reap, Cambodia
The Cambodia War Remnant Museum is a museum and a center that provides education or training and support for dozens of at-risk people and landmine survivors. This outside museum displays machines, vehicles, and weaponries manufactured by Soviet, Vietnamese, Chinese, and USA
The War Remnant Museum was created with a purpose to serve as a place of healing for bodies, hearts and minds. For you who loves to read details, this is a good place to spend some of your free time in Siem Reap after visiting the Angkor Wat.
7. The Intan | Singapore
Visiting this museum is a best way to experience Singapore's Peranakan lifestyle. Founded in 2003, The Intan is a Peranakan heritage home-museum. The brainchild of antique collector and owner Alvin Yapp, The Intan (meaning 'rose-cut diamond' in Malay) enlightens its guests about the multi-facetted aspects of Peranakan culture through a kaleidoscope of rare historical artefacts, intriguing personal stories, and authentic dining experiences.
Located in the heart of Joo Chiat, a traditional Peranakan enclave and Singapore's first heritage town, The Intan offers personalised tours conducted by Alvin, which is why if you want to visit this museum you have to get an appoinment first via the contact in their website the-intan.com.
The tour culminates with authentic Peranakan tea sessions and dinners inspired by his mother. The Intan also doubles up as a unique event space, having hosted a variety of activities that included jewellery exhibitions, art shows and violin recitals.
8. The Robert Taylor Museum of Worldwide Arms | Vung Tau, Vietnam
"A visit to Vung Tau wouldn't be complete without a visit to this splendid Military museum," one of the traveler says.
The Worldwide Arms Museum has an astonishing amount of militaria uniforms for just about every part of European and Asian conflict. Robert Taylor, the owner, has collected a wonderful display of military uniforms from all over the world spanning over five decades. It is said the biggest display outside of England. All uniforms appear to be in mint condition and are well laid out throughout the exhibits.
If you ever come to Vung Tau to enjoy the beaches and fresh sea food, make time for this museum to kill some time. You can easily walk there after a visit to Front Beach. Although some other travelers say that it might be a little bit boring for children.
9. Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum and Walking Trail | Sai Yok, Thailand
This museum is a memorial dedicated to the Asian laborers and Allied prisoners of war who suffered and died constructing and maintaining the Burma-Thailand railway during World War II.
The museum is co-sponsored by the Royal Thai Armed Forces Development Command and the Australian government at the site to commemorate the suffering of those involved in the construction of the railway. It was built by the Office of Australian War Graves and opened by the then Prime Minister of Australia, John Howard.
As a part of the museum experience, it is possible to walk through the cutting itself and along a section of the former railway track bed. An audio tour including recorded memories of surviving POWs is available at the museum, although it's currently under renovation.
10. Chinatown Heritage Centre | Singapore
The colorful past of Chinatown comes alive within the walls of these three beautifully-restored shop houses on Pagoda Street, comfortably nestled in the midst of Singapore's bustling Chinatown district. You will feel like you are transported to Chinatown in the budding years of Singapore's establishment as a seaport.
The Chinatown Heritage Centre is the only place in Singapore that has recreated the original interiors of its shophouse tenants in the 1950s, offering visitors an honest, revealing glimpse into the lives of Chinatown's early residents. Many travelers recommend to listen to the audio tour and have at least two hours for the visit.
These ten museums are considered the best of the best among TripAdvisor travelers. In other words, you will have a good reason to want to visit them. If you haven't already, don't forget to include them in your next trip itinerary!