A museum housing a planetarium and other space-science equipment will open its doors in Hanoi in 2018.

The museum, located in the Vietnam National Space Center at the Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park in the capital, is expected to open its doors to visitors as early as 2018, according to Assoc. Prof. Pham Anh Tuan, head of the National Satellite Center.

The VND200 billion (US$9 million) museum, featuring 1,675 square meters of indoor and 3,500 square meters of outdoor space, is funded by Japan’s official development assistance (ODA) and architected by Japanese experts.

Its interior and interactive installations are estimated to cost nearly VND44 billion ($1.9 million).

A planetarium and exhibition area at the museum will display satellites, meteorites, space science equipment, and other exhibits.

“In addition, the museum will be connected to the nearby Hoa Lac observatory, which houses a 50cm diameter telescope and 12-meter 3D dome theater, which guarantees an immersive experience for visitors,” Tuan said.

The museum is expected to encourage the city’s youth to learn about the advancements of space science in Vietnam and across the world while providing a medium for local space enthusiasts to further delve into the field.