War Remnants Museum

Visiting the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City was one of the most powerful and emotional experiences of my trip to Vietnam. I went in expecting to learn about history, but I left with something much deeper: a profound reflection on humanity, suffering, and resilience. The exhibits—especially the photographs—were deeply moving. Some images were so raw and disturbing that I almost cried while walking through the galleries. I found myself needing to pause and take time to process what I was seeing. The human cost of the Vietnam War, especially for civilians, was heartbreaking. What struck me most was how personal the museum felt. It doesn’t just present facts or military artifacts; it shows the faces, names, and lives of people affected—both Vietnamese and foreign. The section on Agent Orange and its lingering effects across generations was particularly difficult to take in. I left with a heavy heart but also with a greater understanding of Vietnam’s past and an even stronger appreciation for the strength and kindness of its people today. Despite everything the country endured, I was met everywhere with warmth and openness. This visit changed the way I think about war, history, and reconciliation. If you're in Ho Chi Minh City, I believe this museum is a must-visit. It’s not easy, but it’s important.

Amazing little museum. 3 floors of information pertaining to the Vietnam war and it’s lasting effects. In particular, I found the “War Photographers” section to be captivating…a lot of stories in there about journalists all over the globe that were intent on capturing the war and the brutality therein, often times paying the ultimate price for their attempts to broadcast the truth. The entire museum could easily take 2-4 hours if you’re intent on reading all the descriptions (provided in Vietnamese and English). One small note - I didn’t see any warnings, but some of the content in here can definitely be unsettling. I’m glad they haven’t shied away from this, as it’s important to show the horrible effects of the war directly. But there are quite a lot of pictures of dead and mutilated bodies, especially within the “War Crimes” room. Also, there’s a large section dedicated to the health ramifications of Agent Orange, showing the deformities (in both children and adults, Vietnamese and foreign) and mental conditions caused by that horrible chemical. I saw a lot of families with young kids in here, and a lot of the children had slightly terrified looks on their faces. I assume if it was affecting to me, it may have been doubly so for them. Again, I recommend coming and not turning your face away from the horrible facts and effects of the war, but if you’re sensitive or have young children who may not be mentally prepared for such imagery, you may want to avoid certain exhibits that you feel could include such photographs (mainly War Crimes and Agent Orange are the two areas that are disturbing, I haven’t included any pictures from them below). If you’re in Saigon even a little bit interested in the history and lasting effects of the war, this is a must-visit museum. I visited on a Saturday afternoon and it was crowded, but still easy to see everything.

The place is truly heart breaking to see how much the Vietnamese people have suffered from this tragic war. You get to learn all about the history of the war and explanations about everything that occurred there and even see real equipment from the war that was left behind by the Americans like planes, tanks, bombs, weapons, gas masks, etc.

Very sad and confronting. We really took our time to look at everything. The more and more we read it was a little disheartening. War is never a great thing but unfortunately this museum is very one sided. They don't tell the whole truth. In one way I understand why they say USA invaded but for the South this was not true. The USA and Australians and other countries came to help the South but this is never mentioned. Even speaking to locals about this they agree and a very passionate about how one sided it is. I still recommend this place highly but have your own view on this. Apart from that, the photos are always etched in my mind.

A powerful and deeply moving experience. The War Remnants Museum doesn’t hold back, the exhibits are raw, honest, and heartbreaking. It’s not an easy visit, but an important one. The photos and stories confront you with the brutal realities of war, and they stay with you long after you leave. If you’re in Ho Chi Minh City, this museum is a must both to honor the victims and to reflect on history.

Very intriguing and informative experience. Those exhibitions taught me a lot about what happened in Vietnam and what it has undergone. The whole tour of the museum take around 2-3 hours (I read most of the signs). The ticket was very affordable as well.

War Remnants Museum – A Powerful and Eye-Opening Experience As a family of four, our visit to the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City was both powerful and educational. The museum presents the Vietnam War from a Vietnamese perspective, offering insights and stories that challenged our previous understanding and encouraged meaningful reflection. The exhibits are thoughtfully curated, with impactful photography, preserved war artifacts, and deeply personal accounts that humanize the tragedy of war. Walking through the displays, we learned a great deal—not just about the history and events, but about the ideology and perspective of a country that lived through immense suffering and resilience. Some sections are difficult to take in, especially for younger visitors, but they sparked important conversations for our family. We left with a deeper understanding of Vietnam’s history and a strong appreciation for the value of peace and empathy. This is not just a museum visit—it’s an experience that stays with you. Highly recommended for families seeking a deeper, more global perspective on history.

Visiting the War Remnants Museum is a powerful and emotional experience that really stays with you. It's one of those places that gives you a deeper understanding of history in a way that books or documentaries sometimes can't. The museum focuses heavily on the Vietnam War, especially from the perspective of the Vietnamese people, and it doesn’t shy away from showing the impact of the conflict. The exhibits are very well put together, with a mix of photographs, personal stories, official documents, and military equipment. Some sections, like the one about Agent Orange and the aftereffects of chemical warfare, are heartbreaking and hard to look at, but they are incredibly important. It’s not always an easy visit emotionally, but that’s part of what makes it so meaningful. Outside, there’s a display of tanks, helicopters, and fighter planes, which adds to the scale and reality of what happened. Inside, you move through rooms that tell different parts of the story, from the roots of the war to the protests around the world and the aftermath that’s still felt today. The museum isn’t about taking sides. It’s about remembering the human cost of war and learning from the past. It's also a reminder of how resilient people can be. I really appreciated how respectful and thoughtful the space felt, and how it encourages reflection rather than judgment. If you're in Ho Chi Minh City, this museum is a must-visit. It’s not just about history, it’s about empathy and understanding. Give yourself time to take it all in. It’s not something you’ll want to rush.