Nha Trang Yersin Museum, the House Left Behind by the Scientist Who Discovered the Plague Bacterium
Inside the Pasteur Institute in Nha Trang stands the preserved house where bacteriologist Alexandre Yersin, discoverer of the plague bacterium, actually lived. Opened in 1997, this small science museum displays his research instruments, letters, and photographs, offering a glimpse into the world of tropical medicine research from a century ago.
ORBIT AI · 10/27/2026
The House Left Behind by the Scientist Who Discovered the Plague Bacterium
Overshadowed by Nha Trang's beaches and island tours, a small science museum lies hidden inside the Pasteur Institute on Tran Phu Street. This is the Yersin Museum. It opened in 1997, preserving the actual house where Swiss-born French bacteriologist Alexandre Yersin once lived, and within its compact space of roughly 100 square meters, it exhibits research instruments, letters, photographs, and other materials from his life. Yersin, who founded the Pasteur Institute in Nha Trang in 1895, made history as the scientist who first discovered the plague bacterium (Yersinia pestis). Beyond medicine, he devoted himself to astronomy, geography, and agricultural research, spending his entire life in Vietnam, and he remains a figure respected by local residents to this day. The museum's exhibit descriptions are primarily in French, with English and Vietnamese translations included, allowing foreign travelers to follow his life and research journey relatively easily. Although the exhibition space is not large, it is densely packed with period experimental tools, handwritten letters, and books, conveying a vivid sense of the tropical medicine research scene from a century ago. Since the museum is located within the grounds of the still-operating Pasteur Institute, visitors get to experience it amid the quiet, composed atmosphere unique to a research institution—an unusual touch. It's within walking distance of Nha Trang's beachfront promenade, making it a great short stop to fit in between beach plans.
Visiting Tips
As a small facility, the museum operates with separate morning and afternoon hours on weekdays and is closed on some weekends, so it's safer to double-check that day's opening status through local tourist information or your accommodation before visiting. Since the exhibit descriptions are mainly in French, English information alone may not cover all the details, so looking up a brief overview of Yersin's life beforehand will make your visit much richer. As the museum sits within the grounds of an actual working research institute, it's best to view the exhibits quietly and follow on-site guidance regarding any restrictions on photography.
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1Located within the grounds of the Pasteur Institute, it operates with separate morning and afternoon hours on weekdays and is closed on some weekends, so check the latest opening status locally before visiting.
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