It has over 200,000 exhibits displayed covering items from prehistory up to the 1947 revolution and founding of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, arranged in five major sections.

[4] The museum was acquired by the government of North Vietnam[5] in 1958 and then the artifact collections were expanded to cover eastern arts and national history.

[1][6][4] The building designed by Hebrard, incorporates double walls and balconies for a natural ventilation system and protection from sunshine.

[7] The museum showcases Vietnam's history with very large collection of about 200,000 items, covering the Neolithic age, Bronze Age, Sa Huỳnh, Oc Eo, and Hung periods, Nguyễn dynasty, Cham period, and also northern Vietnam's Đông Sơn, a culture which existed about 1000 BC-100 AD.

[8] Exhibits in the museum include Hung era and Neolithic mortuaries, Bronze Age implements such as axe heads, and Cham period artifacts.

On the first floor the exhibits pertain to the monarchic reign from the time of the Dinh and Le eras of 900 ADs to Vietnam's last emperors; these are decorative items such as a chest of drawers inlaid with mother-of-pearl, cylindrical containers of enamel (these are funerary jars[3]), ceramics and bright lacquer ware.

[6][3] There is a stele which was found during an archaeological excavation with an inscription at a monument labeled G1, which is dedicated to God Harivamsesvara by Harivarman I (ca.