Established in 1923, Hue Royal Antiquities Museum was one of the first museums established in Vietnam. Its initial name was Mussé Khai Dinh.
Considered as the first museum founded in Hue, it was renamed several times during its history Tang co Vien Hue (1947), Hue museum (1958), Royal antiquities exhibition house (1979), Hue royal antiquities museum (1992) and Hue royal fine arts museum (1995). The museum finally adopted its official name, Bao tang Co vat Cung dinh Hue (Hue Royal Antiquities Museum) in 1995.
This museum is devoted to house and exhibit Hue royal antiquity collections such as chinaware, painted enamel collections, royal costumes, royal seals, musical instruments used in offering ceremonies, mirror paintings, golden glided and raden wooden items, holly cannons under the reign of Lord Nguyen and Nguyen Emperor, most of which dated back to Nguyen dynasty. In addition, a unique yet diverse Champa sculpture collection is also on display.
Long An palace, the main headquarters of Hue royal antiquities museum is one of the most beautiful royal architectures in Vietnam today. It is one of the important relics within Hue monuments complex recognized as world cultural heritage by UNESCO in 1993. Established under the reign of Emperor Thieu Tri in 1945, Long An is a beautiful wooden palace contructed in ”trung thiem diep oc” (multi roofing style) with 128 pillars Its interior and exterior decoration was diverse and elegant. The museum houses over 300 artifacts made from gold, chinaware, Hue painted enamel objects, royal costumes, royal tools and the costumes of Nguyen dynasty's royal families.
Situated at 3 Le Truc street, Dong Ba ward, Phu Xuan district, Hue city, Hue Royal Antiquities Museum covers the area of 6.330 m2. Its main house has the total area of 1.185m2, auxiliary houses devoted to store antiquities and gardens.
The museum is home to thousands of artifacts that Nguyen dynasty produced, reserved, bought from foreign countries or presented by diplomatic delegations. Painted enamel items usually called "Bleu de Hue" has the greatest number.
In Hue Royal Antiquities museum located another warehouse where over 80 Champa artifacts collected in chau O and chau Ly in the past and those excavated in Tra Kieu (Quang Nam province) in 1927 are being stored. Particularly, Champa artifacts used to be highly appreciated and considered as precious cultural heritages not only in the east, but also around the world.