War Remnants Museum

The War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City offers a powerful and thought-provoking experience that dives deep into Vietnam's wartime history, particularly the Vietnam War. From the moment you enter, you're met with striking exhibits outside displays include American helicopters, tanks, and bombshells that set the tone before stepping inside. The museum’s galleries are well-curated, showcasing raw and emotional photography, first-hand accounts, weapon displays, and reconstructed prison conditions. One of the most impactful sections focuses on the long-term effects of chemical warfare, especially Agent Orange, with sobering imagery and survivor stories. The prison exhibit with life-sized mannequins and a preserved guillotine is chilling and historically significant. There’s also dedicated space exploring global support during the war, along with detailed panels about Da Lat and Phu Quoc prisons. The layout encourages reflection and personal interpretation, rather than forcing a political stance. You’ll want to spend at least 1~2 hours here to take in the emotional weight and historical context fully. It's not a light visit, but it's an essential one for anyone wanting to understand Vietnam’s past from a Vietnamese perspective. Respectful dress and quiet observation are appreciated in there. Thursday 7:30 am–5:30 pm Friday 7:30 am–5:30 pm Saturday 7:30 am–5:30 pm Sunday 7:30 am–5:30 pm Monday 7:30 am–5:30 pm Tuesday 7:30 am–5:30 pm Wednesday 7:30 am–5:30 pm

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.

No wait, and no need to buy tickets. Incredible moving place. I took my children, and some areas needed “pre-screening” beforehand. They loved the tanks and planes outside though. The exhibits were really thought provoking, and good to see the perspectives of the war from a “non western” angle.

BEWARE of Coconut saler around this area! There are many of them on every corner. We visited the museum on Monday the 1st of Sept before Vietnam 80th National Day so the museum was way too packed! The building has 3 levels consist of 7 rooms of war history timeline, consequences, and what's happening now. Some of the contents can be very scary especially the photos captured during the war. The ground floor outside has the replica of jail (Tiger Cages) and torture chamber used by the Vietnamese government to deal with local rebellious. Many army tanks, planes and transport were displayed in front of the building. Definitely interesting to see the war history from the perspective of Vietnamese at this museum.

The War Remnants Museum is all an educational museum that teaches you about history- how Vietnam were involved in the WW2 and how it has impacted Vietnam until to date where the Agent Orange still hurt descendants of the victims. The war weapons, guns, pistols, machine guns, and even helicopters, fighter jets and tanks are grand and overpowering. I wish there is world peace and no more war, humans should stand together and embrace their short term on Earth! Cheers and World Peace ✌🏼 ☮️

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.

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.