Right in the heart of Hanoi , tourists can see and touch the simple life of the Vietnamese countryside several centuries ago while visiting the Museum of Farming Tools and Daily Life Essentials of Northern Farmers.

The museum, covering 100 sq. m. on Van Ho street , was founded in 2004 by a retired publishing house employee, Tran Phu Son, who has spent more than 20 years collecting over 200 objects to display at the museum.

Flour mills, earthenware and copper basins dating back hundreds of years and rice-grinding mills available only in the 19 th century are among the objects which are no longer in use today.

A bamboo bucket to water crop fields or a palm coat which was used to help farmers struggle against three different severe weather conditions--the heat, the cold and the rain--provide a glimpse into ancient life in the countryside.

The museum owner said he rummaged everywhere in the northern countryside to collect objects essential to ancient rural life, to help young generations better understand their ancestors.

“All the exhibits here are evidence of my devotion to keeping the past alive for the future. Anyone interested in studying the life of northern farmers will be welcome here,” said Son, who devoted over 40 years to the publishing industry.

Besides the museum on northern rural life, which is among the first three private museums in Vietnam , Son plans to establish another museum in Ho Chi Minh City , dealing with pottery from all parts of the country./.