War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is often likened to a giant relic of war crimes and a stationary train that can take us back to a painful past. Far from a simple exhibition space, this place offers a unique and emotionally charged experience.
War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is often likened to a giant relic of war crimes and a stationary train that can take us back to a painful past. Far from a simple exhibition space, this place offers a unique and emotionally charged experience.
The War Remnants Museum is Vietnam's only location honored in 2023 on the list of the 99 most attractive destinations in the world by the Stasher luggage storage app. It is also among the top 25 museums in Asia, as announced by The Travel magazine, welcoming nearly one million visitors annually.
Let's explore the most visited museum in Ho Chi Minh City, a must-visit for those curious and passionate about Vietnamese history!
1. History and artifacts of the War Remnants Museum
Open to the public since September 4, 1975, the museum currently holds more than 20,000 documents, including photos, objects and reports from the 20th century. Occupying a three-story building, it displays approximately 1,500 documents. The material is divided into 9 separate topics. The outdoor exhibition enriches the route and brings a wonderful experience to visitors. In addition to permanent exhibitions on various topics, it also hosts temporary exhibitions that explore specific themes as well as meetings and exchanges on history and promoting peace .
2. What to see at the war remnants museum?
When you step through the gate and enter the yard, you will be extremely impressed by the majestic collection of armored vehicles, M84 and M41 tanks, reconnaissance aircraft, jets, artillery, helicopters and warships. small. The Vietnamese army took them all as trophies after victory.
This is a gallery of 66 photos, 20 handwritten documents and 153 artifacts testifying to the process of French and American invasion of Vietnamese territory. As soon as the North of the country gained independence, the US army entered the war, violating the Geneva Agreement. Military deployments, bombings, and shootings are becoming increasingly violent. This space represents this honestly and directly.
“Memories” (Collection of photos of reporters who died while on duty in Indochina) is a collection of photos about the Vietnam War made by two British journalists, Tim Page and Horst Faas, with the support of of the Vietnam Information Agency. The collection includes 275 photos taken by 134 journalists from 11 different countries who died while serving on the Indochina battlefield. A message full of blood, tears and suffering delivered by courageous and loving people.
This exhibition includes 123 photos taken by Japanese photographer Ishikawa Bunyo that highlight the dark side of war and emphasize the values of peace. Ishikawa Bunyo lived and worked in Vietnam from 1965 until the end of the war as a reporter for Focus Studio Hong Kong. In 1998, he donated most of his photographic works to the War Remnants Museum.
Don't miss 42 works by another Japanese photographer, Goro Nakamura. Since 1961, he has focused on taking documentary photos of the Vietnam War. The author devoted himself to highlighting the tragedy of Agent Orange, a chemical weapon with terrible destructive power used by the US military, and denounced the devastating consequences of the war. This chemical affects the lives of countless innocent people.
Now you discover a major and important topic: war crimes. In this space, 125 photos, 22 documents and 243 objects, including rifles, spears, weapons, etc., are not to be missed. These artifacts themselves speak volumes about what exactly happened.
This exhibition area has brought many visitors to tears. More than 100 photos, 10 documents and many different objects reflect the crimes of American soldiers, express the pain of children who are victims of chemical warfare and encourage them in their efforts to survive.
During the 20th century, Vietnam benefited from enormous support from the international community. 100 photos and 145 documents confirm the opposition and disapproval of the US invasion by all those who have chosen justice and humanity. You can also see items donated by American war veterans.
Perhaps the most prominent and widely observed architectural feature at the War Remnants Museum is the "tiger cage" recreated resembling the prison on Con Dao Island – a notorious prison nicknamed hell on earth. With an area of only 5 m2, consisting of two compartments with tightly wound barbed wire, although it is a simulated product, it has successfully depicted the painful torture that prisoners had to endure.
The artifacts displayed at the War Remnants Museum, while sometimes difficult to view, are extremely important to understand Vietnamese history and the sacrifices of the Vietnamese people. It is an intense experience that touches both the mind and the heart, while prompting reflection on the consequences of war and the importance of peace.
3. Information
War Remnants Museum Address: 28 Vo Van Tan, Ward 6, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 7:30 am to 5:30 pm daily, including holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year).
Ticket: 40,000 VND per person or under 2 USD per person