Vietnam and Cambodia Trip Report, 2025 Day 13 National Fine Arts Museum, flight from Hanoi to Siem Reap, Cambodia

 Day 13 Tuesday Apr 29 

National Fine Arts Museum, flight from Hanoi to Siem Reap

Late start to the Day

We had another relaxed start for the day. Got up late around 9:00 a.m. Had our food and packed for our flight at 4:00 p.m. in the afternoon to Siem Reap Cambodia. We were checking in one bag and ensured that our carry on bags were under the specified weight.

We have noticed in our experience of budget Airlines that if we buy and pay for a checked bag they are not fussy about our carry on bag when we do the checkin or boarding. For VIETJET Airlines it was just some 15 USD for one checked bag of 20 kg. Our checked bag was just around 12 KG. They are supposed to weigh the personal item and the cabin bag together and want it under 6 kg, Both our domestic flights and one international flight with VIETJET had gone fine. 

We had some time after packing and decided to visit the national Fine Arts Museum.

we had wanted  to visit the bat Trang ceramic village but it is 14 kilometres away and we did not want to risk getting late to the airport for international flight [we need not have bothered so much!]

National Fine Arts Museum, Hanoi

The distinctive building began its life in the 1930s as a school for the daughters of French colonial officials during the French occupation of Vietnam. Its original architecture reflected the French colonial style that was prevalent throughout Indochina during this period.

In 1962, the building underwent significant renovations to transform it from an educational institution into a cultural treasure house.

Entrance fee is a very low 40000 dongs, less than 2 usd, there is no AC in the museum. It was very hot and stuffy inside. No cameras allowed, phone can be used for pictures!!

SCULPTURES

The sculpture collection presents works in diverse materials, including wood, stone, and bronze, depicting everything from religious icons to scenes from daily life.

WOOD STATUES WITH LACQUER AND GOLD LEAF

Avalokiteśvara [multiple arms] is the bodhisattva of compassion, constantly watching over and responding to the suffering of all beings. He is often depicted with the Amitabha Buddha in his headdress, symbolizing his connection to that celestial Buddha.  This is a lacquered wood statue of the Thousand-armed and Thousand-eyed Avalokiteshvara, from the 17th century

Bodhisattva Avalokisteshvara (Kuan Yin)

Modern sculptures

PAINTINGS

traditional and contemporary lacquer artwork, including pieces by renowned artist Nguyen Gia Tri.

Oil paintings

Ceramics... a small section

On the whole, Ho Chi Min City Fine arts museum had been much better.

We took a taxi back to our apartment , saw the  Flag Tower of Hanoi on the way.

 had some food

Took pics of the apartment before check out as we always do...

Our bags are standing in front of the lift door...

keys left in the box.

Our flight was delayed by 2 hours!

Reached Cambodia by 8PM, instead of 6PM.

AMAZINGLY FAST PASSPORT CONTROL at Siem Reap Cambodia

Literally took 2 minutes at passport control. They did not even need to see our electronic visa. We already had the QR code ready on our phones, we had filled the entry form and got it a week ago.

Got a Grab from the airport . the hybrid taxi developed some problem midway, we sat wasting some 20 minutes as the driver tried to address it. Finally he called a friend to drop us at our apartment!

Booking.com had upgraded us to a 2 bedroom apartment. It was great as you can see in the pics and video

SIEM REAP GREEN RESIDENCE

TOO LATE TO BUY GROCERIES

With the flight delay and taxi breakdown, we could not go for a grocery run as planned. Just made some noodles. We meant to leave AT 5AM next day to watch Sunrise at Angkorwat... ride takes 20 minutes.

We arranged for a tuktuk for the whole day with the taxi guy who had dropped us and slept off

Report continues in Cambodia here

https://adventuretrav.blogspot.com/2025/07/cambodia-trip-report-day-14-angkor-wat.html