Attraction
Independence Palace
The 1960s presidential palace of South Vietnam, whose gates were breached by a tank on 30 April 1975, preserved with its state rooms and basement command…
War Remnants Museum
A museum documenting the conflicts of 1946 to 1975 through photographs, reconstructed prison cells and a yard of captured aircraft and armour.
At a glance
- Type
- History museum
- Area
- District 3 (Xuan Hoa), Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Good to know
- Outdoor display of military aircraft and tanks
- Temporary exhibitions
Why we recommend it
The War Remnants Museum is one of the most confronting museums in Ho Chi Minh City. It covers the period from the start of the First Indochina War in 1946 to the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, and it does so largely through photography. The museum first opened on 4 September 1975, a few months after the fall of Saigon, in the former United States Information Agency building. It took its present name in 1995, the year diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the United States were normalised, and since then its tone has become more reconciliatory.
The themed rooms are spread across several buildings and floors. The best-known galleries deal with the effects of Agent Orange and other defoliants, napalm and white phosphorus, and with atrocities such as the My Lai massacre. There is a reconstruction of the "tiger cages" used to hold political prisoners in the South, a diorama of prison conditions and a guillotine used by the French and the South Vietnamese authorities, last used in 1960. One room is given over to the work of photographers who covered the war, including images donated by the Japanese photojournalist Bunyo Ishikawa.
Outside, the walled yard is filled with military hardware: a UH-1 "Huey" helicopter, an F-5A fighter, an A-1 Skyraider and an A-37 Dragonfly, M48 and M41 tanks and a BLU-82 "Daisy Cutter" bomb. Children often enjoy the yard, but the indoor galleries contain graphic images of injury and birth defects, so parents should decide in advance how much younger children should see. Some visitors find it helpful to know that the museum presents the war from the Vietnamese state's perspective, with captions that are often short on context.
Allow at least two hours, and more if you want to read everything. Go early in the day: the museum is popular with tour groups and the rooms can become crowded and warm by late morning. Many people pair it with Independence Palace, which is a short walk away and tells the other half of the story of 30 April 1975. Opening hours and ticket arrangements can change, so check locally before you go.
The museum stands at 28 Vo Van Tan Street, on the edge of District 3 and within easy walking distance of central District 1. Taxis and ride-hailing motorbikes are the simplest way to get there in the heat.
War Remnants Museum FAQs
What does the War Remnants Museum cover?
The conflicts in Vietnam from 1946 to 1975, with a focus on the Vietnam War, its weapons and its effects on civilians.
How long should I allow?
At least two hours to see the main galleries and the outdoor yard.
Is it suitable for children?
The outdoor display of aircraft and tanks suits children, but many indoor photographs are graphic, so parents should judge for themselves.
When did the museum open?
An earlier version opened on 4 September 1975, and it has been called the War Remnants Museum since 1995.
What is on display outside?
A UH-1 Huey helicopter, an F-5A fighter, an A-1 Skyraider, an A-37 Dragonfly, M48 and M41 tanks and a BLU-82 bomb, among other items.
Where is it?
At 28 Vo Van Tan Street, on the edge of District 3, a short ride or walk from central District 1.
What else is nearby?
Independence Palace is a short walk away and makes a natural companion visit.
When is the best time to visit?
Early in the day, before tour groups arrive and the galleries get warm.