By
visiting one of the most famous history museums, the War Remnants Museum, you
have totally transformed your ordinary visit to Ho Chi Minh City to an
intellectual yet remarkable trip.
Location and History
The
War Remnants Museum is located at 28 Vo Van Tan St, District 3, Ho Chi Minh
City. Operated by the government, the museum was opened in September 1975 as
"The House for Displaying War Crimes of American Imperialism and the
Puppet Government”, focusing on exhibits relating to the American phase of the
Vietnam War. Since then, it has undergone many changes and renovations due to
the process of normalization of relation between Vietnam and the United States,
such as the change to its current name in 1993.
A lesson of war
Vietnamese
Wars possibly the only thing in mind of foreigners before coming to this
nation. Though the country has changed itself and the prejudice has somehow
been replaced by a new modern developing image, it’s crucial for tourists to
look at the war from a different perspective. And this famous museum is where
they can transform an ordinary visit to an intellectual yet remarkable trip.
Nowadays,
the museum functions as a place to display devastation of the war between 2
countries from 1961 to 1975. It comprises several buildings storing military
equipment, as well as disturbing photographs about the traumatizing
consequences of Agent Orange, napalm and phosphorus bombs. There are also
pictures about atrocities such as My Lai massacre, a guillotine used by Southern
Government of Vietnam. In addition, last but not least three jars of deformed
human features indicating haunting effects of the war on the next generations.
A number of unexploded ordnances are stored in the corner of the yard,
seemingly with their charges removed. Not only does the museum illustrate a
phase of painful history, but it also tells unknown stories about war to
people, especially to Westerners. Many preceding travelers have failed to hold
their tears in front of the pictures here.
How to get there
The
museum lies in the corner between Vo Van Tan St. and Le Quy Don St.
Suggested
means of transportation are taxi or motorbike. Bus-goers can take Bus No. 28 at
Ben Thanh Bus Station, also (read more about Ho Chi Minh City bus). The museum
opens daily from 8.00AM to 11.45 AM and 1.30PM to 4.45PM and entrance fee:
10,000VND
If you
are interested in the history of the
Vietnam War, do not ever forget to pay a visit to thismuseum. Many
preceding travelers have failed to hold their tears in front of the pictures
from the past. Feel it yourself.
Pictures:
