Along with the Cu Chi Tunnels, the War Remnants Museum came highly recommended as a must-visit in Ho Chi Minh City. The Reunification Palace, just a short walk away, is another key site tied to Vietnam’s modern history.
My history of Vietnam isn’t great, and it’s been a while since I watched some of the movies, so it was all really eye-opening. Hopefully get around to watching Ken Burns Vietnam, which I just realised is on YouTube
War Remnants Museum
A great museum on the War in Vietnam with a collection of war photography, declassified documents, and military equipment. You start on the top floor and work your way down—I went around midday and it was very busy, but I was still able to check everything out. It’s big on the photography and doesn’t require a huge amount of reading so handy enough to get through.
Out front there’s a lineup of military vehicles—including Chinook helicopters, fighter jets, and various army tanks are on show.
Just one tank looking at another
7.62mm, Full Metal Jacket
Inside, there are rooms dedicated to different aspects of the War, such as the build up to the War, the inhumane treatment during it, the devastating effects of Agent Orange and a lot of powerful photojournalism capturing the conflict’s reality.
Among the most enduring images of the 20th century (or ever?), two photographs from the Vietnam War are featured:
Phan Thi Kim Phuc, known as Napalm Girl, running from an aerial attack
Saigon Execution—a split-second captured by Eddie Adams
The toughest part—and something I was completely unaware of—is the section dedicated to Agent Orange, detailing the long-term suffering caused by chemical warfare. I won’t say too much on it and don’t have any pics, but a must-see.
The effects of Agent Orange—difficult to look at, impossible to ignore
Reunification Palace
Once the headquarters of South Vietnam’s government, this 1960s-style palace became an enduring symbol of the war’s end when North Vietnamese tanks rolled through its gates on April 30, 1975.
Nice palace tbf
The upper floors feature grand reception halls, a library, and even a private cinema.
Home cinema, 1970s style
Beneath the palace is the bunker, filled with old maps, radio equipment, and rotary phones that look like they belong in a Cold War film.
The Command Centre, where major decisions were made
Comms Center—honestly, just lik what we have in the Irish army today
Two very different places that offer a good days sightseeing. If you were on a tight timeline the War Remnants Museum is definitely the more worthwhile, but you should easily get to both in an afternoon.
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