Dr Ma Thanh Cao, former Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts, recalls the days when the museum underwent a striking transformation.

To Dr Ma Thanh Cao, safeguarding a historical site involves far more than protecting physical structures. It is about honouring memory, guarding the narratives entwined in the architecture, and preserving the intangible spirit of the period it reflects. With a career immersed in museology, she has consistently searched for ways to adapt historical buildings for modern use—transforming them into living museums without compromising their identity.

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Restoring “her” beauty is a phrase Dr Cao uses with pride, reflecting a pivotal moment when the Museum of Fine Arts was redefining itself—not simply as a venue for viewing art, but as a space free from architectural constraints that once hindered the visitor experience. When adapting a historic property into a museum, the core challenge is to honour the original structure while making room for the demands of preservation and display. The transformation of the Museum of Fine Arts is a textbook case in balancing the old with the new.

At first, to secure the artefacts, a network of sliding iron doors was added to the building’s many windows and some inner spaces. This well-meaning measure, however, proved to be aesthetically jarring. The robust additions clashed with the delicate wrought-iron balconies, diminishing the villa’s historic charm. In 2011, Dr Cao proposed their removal, pledging alternative methods to safeguard the collections. As the doors came down, an unexpected fact emerged: the building housed more than 100 doors. With the architectural integrity now visible again, the museum received funding to restore its exterior paintwork. In a climate of limited resources, this support proved vital. The restoration brought not only visual grace but served as a reminder of the essential role that beauty plays in the stewardship of cultural heritage.

Assigning a fresh function to a civil structure such as the Hui Bon Hoa mansion is no simple task. Yet, as Dr Ma Thanh Cao noted, “It is true that it is a challenge, but it is not new for museums. Because ancient museums in the world today such as the Louvre (France) or the Hermitage (Russia) were also converted from palaces into museums.”

Looking back on the time when the museum was undergoing its transformation, Dr Cao recalled thinking simply, “This building is so beautiful, I have to keep it.” From the beginning, the focus was to adapt the space for exhibitions while preserving its key features—such as the intricate tiled floors and the original architectural frame. This philosophy forms the foundation of responsible conservation: safeguard historical integrity wherever possible, while making sensitive adjustments for new purposes.

Architectural preservation is just one part of a museum’s broader mandate—protecting the artefacts themselves. At the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts, storage and display conditions remain a pressing concern, particularly in managing temperature and humidity. While lighting adjustments can be made with relative ease, implementing air conditioning systems proves more complex, as it must be aligned across both storage and exhibition areas. In Vietnam, many museums still lack international-standard preservation systems, and this poses risks to the long-term stability of their collections. In some places, dehumidifiers are in place, yet air conditioning is avoided for fear that fluctuations in temperature might cause harm.

At the heart of any museum is its collection. For the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts—a relatively young institution—the effort to source works predating 1975 continues to present challenges. Between 2005 and 2010, the museum actively sought out artworks from pre-1975 Saigon, but many had already been lost, damaged, or acquired by private and overseas collectors. Even so, the museum pressed forward, knowing that, despite the costs, these pieces were vital in enriching its historical holdings.

Yet a museum’s mission does not end with the past. It must also keep pace with contemporary artistic currents, avoiding the need to retrospectively chase after overhyped trends. Dr Cao believes firmly in the necessity of long-term strategies for collecting and preserving, ensuring that each chapter of art history is reflected thoughtfully and with depth.

Dr Ma Thanh Cao stressed that museums should not remain frozen in time. They must look ahead, embracing technology in both curation and management. Digital tools, from exhibition software to interactive applications, have the power to elevate the visitor experience, bringing exhibits to life in fresh and dynamic ways. Beyond enhancing storytelling, investment in technology strengthens conservation methods and broadens access.

In Ho Chi Minh City, where museums still face structural limitations, innovative thinking can bring about meaningful change. Converting a heritage site into a functioning museum space is about more than bricks and mortar—it’s about preserving collective memory and creating a vibrant cultural environment. From Dr Cao’s insights, it’s clear that a museum’s success hinges on a comprehensive strategy: protecting architecture, securing artefacts, and continually reimagining the visitor journey. Technology, creative thinking and sustained investment in collections will be central to the museum’s next chapter.

Article adapted from the original published in Tatler Vietnam, April 2025 issue

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