War Remnants Museum, Ho Chi Minh City

4 more images

The War Remnants museum (Nha Trung Bay Toi Ac Chien Tranh Xam) is definitely the must-see museum in Ho Chi Min, to learn a bit more about the atrocities commited in one of the bloodiest wars ever.

In the courtyard you can see several captured US planes, tanks and helicopters, as well as bombs, including the huge B52. Then there are two smaller pavillions, one explaining which foreign armies were in Vietnam and where they were located, and the other dedicated to the Vietnam peaace movements all over the world.

The rest of the museum, which is the main building exhibition and the torture chambers on the left, is a huge chamber of horrors... torture tools, people burned by napalm, deformed phoetuses, shocking photos and a replica of a prison cell. Definitely a tough visit...

The museum is open daily 7:30-11:45 and 1:30-5:15, and the price (2007) was 15000 dongs.

1 more image

Formally known as the Museum of Chinese and American War crimes. We didn't see anything linked to the Chinese. However, it's a chance to hear about the victims of US military action tell their own story. It also covers the actions of the french as well. It is hard going and you do learn more about the victims of agent orange. I wouldn't bring young children here. It is certainly worth a visit.

Even during the Vietnam War, the Americans were already using what the Bush Administration would call "Weapons of Mass Destruction".

Big bombs, solid tanks, attack helicopters and the works. The military equipment were placed in the outdoors without any protection or shade. But it was not the equipment that got my attention, but the effects of Agent Orange on humans. Babies came out deformed; people died; the Vietnamese were scarred for life. The point that has ingrained more into my mind is that War sees no victory. Both warring nations would suffer.

I'd say that the 15,000VND that I paid was pretty worth it because of the knowledge gained.

4 more images

A visit to the War Remnants Museum is beyond sobering. Consisting of eight permanent exhibits and various other special collections, the museum exits to collect, preserve, study, and display exhibits from wars brought against the Vietnamese. Perhaps the most moving exhibit is an unforgettable “requiem,” which is a collection of photos taken by 134 war reporters of eleven nationalities killed during the Vietnam War. Much of what is on display isn’t easy to stomach, but that’s the point. The museum is open every day from 7:30 am to 12:00 pm and from 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm.

1 more image

It is a great lesson to learn how the war was being told from a different perspective. Do prepare for the unexpected. Photos are quite violent and brutal. They even show specimen of deformed babies. This trip gives me a true reflection of how little do I know about the history.

4 more images

The sobering War Remnants Museum was established in September 1975 in Ho Chi Minh City. It contains countless artifacts, photographs and pictures documenting some of the less heroic activities carried out by the US army in Vietnam.

Displays illustrate the killing of civilians, the spreading of toxic defoliant, the torturing of prisoners and the effects of the war in the north. Planes, tanks, bombs and helicopters are also on display.

Outside the museum are some rooms displaying cultural products of the Vietnamese culture. Over the last 29 years, over six million visitors have entered the museum. Nearly one million among them are from abroad.

Entrance fee is VND15,000..

Saigon's War Remnants Museum is very different from what you might expect if you are use to American or European museums. It is high on most lists of things to see in Saigon, but it is a little disappointing. The French War museum in Saigon is much more interesting. Not to discount the tragedies of the Vietnam War, but the museum was mostly pictures and descriptions. There was less propoganda in the museum than I expected. However, after seeing the French Museum at the old governor's palace, which was full of artificats, this museum was disappointing. There are some cool old tanks, planes, and helicopters out in front of the museum.

The War Remnants Museum is supposedly the number one tourist attraction in HCMC. Formerly called the "War Crimes Museum," it still has an accusatory air about it with constant reminders of the "atrocities" committed by the Americans. But hey, the victors write the history books.

The exterior is filled with military weapons and vehicles from the American War in Vietnam. There is also a mock up of a Prisoner of War holding cell. The inside has gruesome pictures of the after affects of napalm, agent orange, and land mines. Throughout this museum you get the distinct feeling that the US was the aggressor in this war and that the North Vietnamese were merely defending themselves. My history books didn't discuss a US invasion of the north...

It is never mentioned that the communist north invaded the democratic south and the US was assisting its ally, South Vietnam. You will also never hear about South Vietnam's other allies here, South Korea and Australia. In fact, I was asked by an Australian (who obviously didn't know his history) how it felt to be an American visiting Vietnam since the US fought in a war here...

Luckily the people of South Vietnam don't have such short memories and they are still thankful for our efforts to keep them free.

Entrance costs less than US$1