The museum structure was assembled using wood salvaged from old traditional houses in the northern provinces of Vietnam.
The collection includes a rare 'Nam Duoc Than Hieu' manuscript, one of the oldest known treatises on Vietnamese medicinal herbs.
Visitors can view a map made of medicinal herbs depicting the geographical distribution of rare plants across Vietnam.
The building features 18 distinct rooms, each curated to focus on a specific era or practice of Vietnamese pharmacy.
The museum founders spent over 20 years traveling across Vietnam to collect the artifacts displayed here.
The displays include an authentic 'Thuyen Tan' or traditional herbal medicine boat used to transport ingredients along the Mekong Delta.
FITO Museum is a private institution dedicated to the history of Vietnamese traditional medicine and pharmacy. The building itself is an architectural tribute to traditional Vietnamese design, featuring intricate wood carvings sourced from various regions across the country. The collection comprises over 3,000 items, including medicinal tools, ancient books, and herbal processing equipment dating back to the Stone Age. Visitors can explore a reconstructed apothecary workshop and view a variety of preserved herbs and animal-based ingredients. A short film detailing the history of traditional medicine in Vietnam is available to guests during their visit. The museum is spread across five floors, housing exhibits that highlight the contributions of famous Vietnamese physicians like Tue Tinh and Hai Thuong Lan Ong. The facility serves as both an educational center and a preservation site for indigenous pharmacological knowledge. The museum is situated in a quiet residential area, far from the central tourist hubs of District 1.
The central staircase, which features complex, hand-carved wooden panels and traditional architecture.
Take advantage of the complimentary herbal tea tasting offered at the end of the tour.
Focus on the wood carvings on the stairs and ceiling, which are authentic historical remnants rather than modern replicas.
Engage the staff for an explanation of the medicinal tools, as many instruments have specialized functions that are not immediately obvious.
Do not mistake this for a commercial herb shop; although herbs are sold on the premises, the primary purpose is museum-based education.
Maintain a quiet volume; dress modestly as a sign of respect for the cultural artifacts.
