At the Ho Chi Minh City History Museum (2 Nguyen Binh Khiem), the exhibition "We, The Rivers of Southern Vietnam" (French title: Nous, Les Fleuves du Sud), co-organized by France and Vietnam, opens on June 17, 2026. It runs for about four months, through October 17. The opening is at 10 a.m. on June 17. This bilingual French-Vietnamese exhibition shines a light on the rivers flowing through southern Vietnam—especially the ties between the Mekong Delta and people's lives.
Opens at 10 a.m. on June 17, running for four months
The venue is the Ho Chi Minh City History Museum, adjacent to the botanical and zoological gardens in central Saigon. The stately building itself, which makes use of French colonial-era architecture, is a highlight, and it is one of the city's foremost history museums, housing cultural artifacts from across Vietnam's eras. This special exhibition joins the permanent displays and runs from June 17 to October 17. As the bilingual French-Vietnamese title suggests, it is an international co-organized exhibition built on cultural and research cooperation between France and Vietnam.
The theme is "the rivers and people of the south"—centered on the Mekong Delta
The exhibition's subject is the rivers of southern Vietnam and the lives and cultures rooted along them. The waterside regions of the south, including the Mekong Delta, have nurtured lives inseparable from the rivers—rice farming, fishing, water transport, floating markets, and more. At the same time, they face contemporary challenges such as flooding risks from climate change and rising sea levels. As the French title "Nous, Les Fleuves du Sud" suggests, at the core of this exhibition is a perspective that sees the rivers not as mere scenery but as "ourselves."
Exhibition overview
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Exhibition name | We, The Rivers of Southern Vietnam／Nous, Les Fleuves du Sud |
| Venue | Ho Chi Minh City History Museum (2 Nguyen Binh Khiem, District 1) |
| Dates | June 17 – October 17, 2026 |
| Opening | June 17, 10 a.m. |
| Organizer | Co-organized by France and Vietnam (bilingual exhibition) |
*For details such as admission fees, check the venue's official information.
Reactions on the ground and from those involved
Residents interested in culture voice their anticipation: "A full-scale co-organized exhibition on the rivers of the south and the Mekong Delta is precious." On its bilingual French-Vietnamese format, some welcome it as "an exhibition open to resident French people and travelers too." Local cultural figures noted, "A project that reads the history of rivers and people, set in a colonial-era museum, suits the venue well."
The impact on travelers and Vietnam lovers
For travelers visiting Ho Chi Minh City from June to October 2026, this exhibition is a fine chance to deeply learn about southern Vietnam's nature and daily life. If you're planning a tour to the Mekong Delta, gaining background knowledge from this exhibition before or after your visit will make floating markets and riverside settlements look all the richer. As a bilingual French-Vietnamese exhibition, it's approachable for French-speaking travelers too. The museum itself is easy to reach from the center and well suited to building a half-day itinerary.
As a crossroads of cultural exchange and regional studies
This exhibition is also a place where cultural exchange between France and Vietnam meets the fruits of regional studies on rivers and deltas. The Mekong Delta is a treasure trove of agriculture and food culture and, as a region strongly affected by climate change, has become an international research subject. By reexamining the relationship between rivers and people through the lens of history and culture, this exhibition is rich in insight for understanding the background of southern Vietnam's food and daily life. It draws attention as a cultural event bridging tourism and learning.
Worth visiting together (practical information)
| Spot | Location | A word |
|---|---|---|
| Ho Chi Minh City History Museum | District 1, 2 Nguyen Binh Khiem | The venue for this exhibition. The colonial-era architecture is a highlight too |
| Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens | Adjacent to the museum | Lush and perfect for a stroll |
| Mekong Delta (My Tho, etc.) | Within a day-trip range from HCMC | Experience floating markets and riverside life |
*Check opening hours and closing days in advance via official information.
Summary
The France-Vietnam co-organized exhibition "We, The Rivers of Southern Vietnam," opening June 17 at the Ho Chi Minh City History Museum, is a four-month project depicting the ties between the rivers and people of southern Vietnam, centered on the Mekong Delta. The international character unique to a bilingual exhibition, and the atmosphere woven by the colonial-era venue, make it a must-see for travelers too. When sightseeing in Ho Chi Minh City or visiting the Mekong Delta, do use this exhibition to touch the depth of southern Vietnam.
Related reading:
ArchDaily's picks: 10 cafés reborn from French-colonial apartments and old merchant houses, the new guardians of Vietnam's architectural heritage
Michelin Guide Vietnam 2026 to be announced in Hanoi on June 4: highlights of the 100th-anniversary ceremony
By Lea Matcha & Bread—the new Japanese-tea experience proposed by "The Matcha Exhibition" café in District 2, Ho Chi Minh City
Source:Saigoneer Events
