Established in 2004 under the auspices of the Academy of Science and Technology , the Viet Nam Natural History Museum is the principal museum in the system of natural history museums of Việt Nam. Its administrative and scientific activities are governed by the Academy, and the exhibits of the Museum are guided by the interpretations of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST).

VNMN is a non-profit organisation, a cultural and scientific institution with the functions of researching, collecting, storing, exhibiting and disseminating knowledge on natural history. Its collections are displayed under two main themes - biology and geology.