The War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City,
Vietnam, provides a harrowing and powerful reflection on the Vietnam War from a
distinctly Vietnamese perspective. My visit there was both emotionally
impactful and thought-provoking, leaving me with a deeper understanding of the
war's atrocities and long-term consequences, especially through the lens of its
victims.
When I arrived, it was clear from the outset that this would be an emotional experience. The museum itself was quiet, except for the hum of traffic outside and the occasional group of tourists making their way through the exhibits. Upon entering, the first thing that struck me were the static displays of U.S. military equipment: a Chinook helicopter, tanks, and fighter planes. These war machines, once symbols of power, now sat silent as reminders of a conflict that devastated an entire nation.
The museum, originally called the Exhibition House for
U.S. and Puppet Regime Crimes, was renamed in 1995 after Vietnam normalized
relations with the U.S. Now known as the War Remnants Museum, it has
become a major attraction for international visitors, many of whom are keen to
understand the war from the Vietnamese side. While walking through the
exhibits, I met a number of veterans—both American and Vietnamese—who had
returned to visit. For many of them, this was an opportunity for reflection and
reconciliation.
The museum is organized across three floors, with each level
becoming progressively more intense. The initial exhibits focus on the global
protests against the Vietnam War, displaying powerful photos and documents from
all over the world. These images show the widespread outrage and calls for
peace that defined the anti-war movement in the 1960s and 1970s.
As you ascend to the second and third floors, the tone
becomes increasingly somber. One of the most emotionally jarring exhibits was
the section dedicated to the tiger cages—tiny, enclosed cells that were
used by the South Vietnamese government to imprison suspected Viet Cong
fighters. Standing there, I could almost feel the suffering of the prisoners
who endured torture and inhumane conditions.
The most impactful part of the museum for me, however, was
the section on Agent Orange, the chemical defoliant used by U.S. forces
during the war. The exhibit doesn’t shy away from showing the devastating
consequences of this toxic substance. There are photos of children born with
severe deformities and displays about the environmental damage that continues
to affect Vietnam today. Agent Orange not only ravaged the land but also left
an indelible mark on the people who were exposed to it. 3 million Vietnamese
people were affected by Agent Orange, including 150,000 children
born with birth defects, according to some estimates .
The museum also featured a touching exhibit called
"Agent Orange Through the Eyes of Children," where children’s
paintings reflected their understanding of the effects of the war. Their art,
though simple, conveyed emotions of pain, loss, and hope in ways that
transcended language.
Walking through the War Remnants Museum gave me a clearer
sense of the human cost of war. It’s easy to get lost in the grand narratives
of politics, ideology, and military strategy, but this museum forces you to
confront the real and often tragic impact on ordinary people. Photographs of
villagers, soldiers, and children, juxtaposed with images of bombings and
destruction, created a powerful narrative about the futility of violence.
One of the more profound moments was sitting next to a
Vietnam War veteran in the museum. He shared stories about his time in the
country during the war and how it had been his lifelong dream to return and
witness the country in peace. For him, visiting the museum was an opportunity
to come full circle—to reconcile the Vietnam he knew during the war with the
vibrant, thriving nation it has become.
While the War Remnants Museum is undoubtedly difficult to
experience, it is an essential stop for anyone visiting Ho Chi Minh City. It
offers a stark reminder of the horrors of war but also serves as a nod to the
resilience of the Vietnamese people. As I made my way through the final
exhibits, the loud noises from the streets outside seemed to fade away, leaving
only the quiet reverence of the space.
The museum doesn’t glorify war; instead, it calls for
reflection. As you move from the loud displays of military equipment outside to
the silent, haunting photos and testimonies inside, you’re left with a sense of
both the immense loss and the enduring strength of the human spirit.
For those considering a visit to Vietnam, the War Remnants
Museum should be high on your list. It offers a powerful and necessary
perspective on one of the most significant conflicts of the 20th century and
challenges visitors to think critically about the cost of war.