If you ever travel to the beautiful coastal city of Vung Tau, don’t miss the Robert Taylor Museum of Ancient Weapons—the largest private museum of its kind in Vietnam and one of the most unique cultural attractions in the country.
Overview of the Robert Taylor Museum of Ancient Weapons
Located at 98 Tran Hung Dao Street, Ward 1, Vung Tau City, the museum is housed inside a French-style colonial villa. Few expect that behind this vintage façade lies an extraordinary collection of nearly 3,000 ancient weapons and military artifacts from around the world, dating from the 17th to the 20th century.
Displayed inside the museum are:
- Firearms, swords, spears, lances, bayonets
- Military uniforms and armor
- Equipment from dozens of nations across Europe, Asia, and beyond
From the uniforms worn by English, French, Dutch, Russian, and German troops during the Crusades, to Japanese samurai armor, Chinese cavalry gear, Roman instruments of war, Napoleon Bonaparte’s carbine (1600–1620), Queen Anne’s flintlock pistol (1728), and the iconic Russian Maxim machine gun of World War I—this museum houses more than 500 sets of historical costumes and weapons.
The most admirable part?
Every item was collected by one man—Mr. Robert Taylor, a British citizen who dedicated his life to traveling the world to research, collect, and preserve these priceless artifacts for the public to explore and learn from.
A Journey Through World Military History
Visiting the museum feels like traveling through centuries of global military evolution. You’ll explore artifacts from:
1. The Ancient Era
Weapons and armor from:
- The Roman Empire
- Genghis Khan’s Mongol forces
- Samurai warriors of Japan
- Ancient Chinese dynasties
- Intricately crafted swords, spears, and shields are displayed alongside full armor sets and military helmets.
2. The Medieval & Napoleonic Eras
Guided by knowledgeable staff, visitors head to the upper floors to discover:
- Napoleon Bonaparte’s military collection
- Royal and knightly uniforms of European forces
- Detailed descriptions and historical storytelling
- Rare firearms, including unique pistols designed specifically for women
This section is often a surprise for first-time visitors, thanks to its vivid, engaging explanations and rare artifacts.
3. The Modern Era
Here, visitors encounter:
- Military uniforms and weaponry from the Australian armed forces
- Artifacts from air force, navy, and infantry divisions
- Modern firearms from the World War II period
- Rare weapons from the early 20th century
The museum also features a life-size replica of an Arabian horse—perfect for photos.
Four Main Exhibition Buildings
The museum is divided into four themed buildings:
Building 1 – Ancient & Early Medieval Period
- Ground floor: Greek and Roman weapons, ancient Chinese armor (Qin, Song, Qing), Samurai weapons, English and German cavalry armor.
- Upper floor: European medieval and Napoleonic uniforms, including Russia, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, Germany, and Switzerland.
Building 2 – Firearms Collection
A spectacular display of antique guns, including:
- Two of the oldest guns ever auctioned in Europe
- A firearm so rare that only two pieces exist worldwide
Buildings 3 & 4 – Modern Military Era
Featuring:
- Australian military uniforms (air force, infantry, navy)
- World War II weaponry
- Russian machine guns from World War I
Additional Services
Besides the exhibition areas, the museum also offers:
- A souvenir shop
- Refreshments
- Quick snacks for visitors
Visitor Information
Address: 98 Tran Hung Dao Street, Vung Tau City (not Ho Chi Minh City)
Opening hours: 08:00 – 17:00 daily
Ticket prices:
- Vietnamese adults: 70,000 VND
- Children under 6: Free
- Children 6–12: 35,000 VND
- Foreign visitors: 100,000 VND
Contact for ticket booking: 02543.818.369 – 0908.367.566
