One of the key attractions to visit in Ho Chi Minh is none other than the War Remnants Museum.

It was previously known by a few other names. These include “Exhibition House for US and Puppet Crimes” and “Museum of Chinese and American War Crimes”. The government eventually dropped the connotations and left it as War Remnants Museum.

The War Remnants Museum is currently one of the most popular museums in Vietnam, attracting approximately half a million visitors every year. According to the museum’s own estimates, about two-thirds of these are foreigners.

As the names suggest, the museum contains exhibits relating to the First Indochina War and the Vietnam War.

Compared to museums in other cities such as Melbourne and Seoul, this museum looks pretty humble on the outside.

Interestingly, the War Remnants Museum displays many military transport craft outside.

The military equipment includes a UH-1 “Huey” helicopter, an F-5A fighter, a BLU-82 “Daisy Cutter” bomb, M48 Patton tank, an A-1 Skyraider attack bomber, and an A-37 Dragonfly attack bomber.

One building in the War Remnants Museum reproduces the “tiger cages” in which the South Vietnamese government kept political prisoners. Even though they are just replications, they are very graphic. You can really visualise the terrible conditions that prisoners of war were kept in.

The War Remnants Museum also reproduced some of the prison cells. These are replicated with graffiti and writings on the walls, which were very real and very common.

Not everything in the museum is a replica. Some are real torture devices, like this iron gill, which prisoners would be forced to roll over.

The museum also stores a number of pieces of unexploded ordnance in the corner of the yard, with their charges and/or fuses removed.

Another part of the museum contains graphic photography with write-ups in English, Vietnamese, and Japanese.

These mainly cover the effects of Agent Orange and other chemical defoliant sprays and the use of napalm and phosphorus bombs. Other war atrocities, including the My Lai massacre, are also covered in great detail.

Although I have a fair amount of interest in history, I wouldn’t say I enjoy reading war accounts or weaponry. However, I actually spent quite a lot of time in this museum learning more about the Vietnam War, which I previously didn’t have much knowledge of.

As a Singaporean, I don’t have any strong opinions on the war itself. I do, however, feel strongly about the war victims, especially the communities who had suffered for decades under the influence of the chemical weapons.

However, from what I understand, the museum is pretty controversial among international visitors. Some have simply praised Vietnam, while others have harshly criticised the museum for its “propaganda” and “glorification of [their] victory”.

Whichever side you may take, I strongly encourage checking out this museum in Ho Chi Minh as an important record of history in the city.

There are also occasionally short-term exhibitions that you can catch. Do check out their English website for any updates!

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DIRECTIONS

Address: Phường 6, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam

ADMISSION

You can get your tickets online via Klook.

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• Ho Chi Minh Food Guide – Cafés, Restaurants, Bars etc.

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