In celebration of International Museum Day and Vietnam Science and Technology Day (May 18th), the Da Nang Museum, the Goethe Institute and the Max Planck Society have collaborated to organize the science exhibition “Universe.Humanity. Intelligence” (UMI).
The exhibition introduces visitors to cutting-edge research in Germany and invites science enthusiasts, especially German science, to explore major questions of our time.
These questions span from the vastness of the cosmos to the origins and future of humanity. How did the Universe come into being, and is there life beyond Earth? On that Earth, how has humanity evolved from its origins in Africa 1.5 million years ago, to its presence across the globe today? At the center of these questions lies the human brain – the source of perception, thought, emotions, and decision-making. What happens when we sleep, feel, learn, and forget? With our brain, humans not only shape individual lives but also profoundly transform our planet, from climate systems to biodiversity. This then raises a further question: are we now living in the Anthropocene, a geological era defined by humans’ impacts? With their own intelligence, humans are creating new forms of intelligence. What is artificial intelligence, how is it developed, what does it allow to learn, and what ethical boundaries must be considered as humans and machines increasingly coexist?
Such interconnected questions form the core of the exhibition, which is the journey of exploring the Universe and humanity – “Where do we come from? and where to?” – through five key topics: the Universe, Human History, Our Brain, Anthropocene, and Artificial Intelligence (AI). The exhibition is designed to be accessible and engaging, featuring accessible texts alongside images, graphics, installations, animations, films, podcasts, and interactive high-tech elements. Combining accessible general knowledge with insights into the most current scientific research in Germany, UMI appeals to a wide public while also offering deeper insights for those with a particular interest in science.
“The UMI exhibition aims to show that research is highly valued in Germany and is an important part of German culture. At the same time, science in Germany has a very well-established international network and offers many opportunities for students and young researchers from all over the world, as demonstrated by various concrete examples in this exhibition,” said Director of the Goethe-Institut Ho-Chi-Minh-City Mailan Thai.
A highlight of this exhibition opening is the interactive UMI Discovery Experience with parallel discovery journeys. Guests take part in a guided tour led by a science mediation expert, exploring five main themes through interactive explanations, hands-on activities, and original German content using the Discovery Pass.
Previously, the STEM exhibition, which was initiated in 2021 in Germany, has travelled to a number of cities in Europe and Asia. And now, after being held in Hanoi in March and April 2026, the UMI exhibition will be exhibited in Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City. Da Nang is the second city in Vietnam to be visited by this exhibition.
This exhibition is open to the public and can be visited at the temporary exhibition on the 1st floor, Da Nang Museum every Monday to Sunday, from 8:00 to 17:00.
– Opening ceremony: 14:00, Monday, May 18th, 2026
– Location: Da Nang Museum, 31 Tran Phu street, Hai Chau ward, Da Nang city.
– Exhibition date: 18.5.2026 – 18.6.2026
– Visiting hours: 8:00 – 17:00, everyday.
– For further information, please contact Dr. Mara Ruth Wesemueller at mararuth.wesemueller@goethe.de.
DA NANG TOURISM PROMOTION CENTER
