"Healing" from both sides
For many years, the War Remnants Museum (28 Vo Van Tan Street, Xuan Hoa Ward, Ho Chi Minh City) has been a space where history speaks, becoming a "living memory" of the nation. Many international researchers affirm that the museum plays a special role in "healing" the wounds of war, opening up opportunities for those who were once on opposing sides to join hands towards the noble goal of peace and friendship.
Ms. Huynh Ngoc Van, former director of the museum, shared: “The most important thing is that the museum has developed and organized many peace education programs for various groups, and proactively organized many meetings and exchanges between veterans from war-fighting countries and Vietnamese veterans and former political prisoners. These activities have truly erased barriers, connecting them as new friends working together to preserve peace.”
At the international conference themed "War Remnants Museum - Museum for Peace," organized by the museum in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh City Peace Committee, Dr. Tran Nguyen Khang (Lecturer at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City) stated: "The War Remnants Museum is both a place to commemorate painful memories and a space to nurture and convey aspirations for peace. The unique strength of the museum lies not only in preserving artifacts or recreating historical events, but also in its ability to manage collective memory, create emotionally rich stories, evoke empathy in the public, and engage in symbolic diplomatic activities on the international stage."
According to Dr. Tran Nguyen Khang, war museums are also an important tool in the strategy of building a global identity and affirming the nation's soft power. These spaces of memory help Vietnam both preserve its historical narrative and actively participate in international dialogues on reconciliation, human rights, and peace. These spaces of memory facilitate connections between the past and the present, between individuals and communities, and between the nation and the world.
“The most important message from the War Remnants Museum is that peace is not something that comes automatically, but is the result of willpower and sacrifice to protect independence and freedom. The museum needs to continue to promote its mission of peace education, while affirming the unwavering commitment of the State and people of Vietnam to peace at home and globally,” said Ms. Ton Nu Thi Ninh, Chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City Peace Committee and Chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City Peace and Development Fund.
Identifying love through new trends.
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of Southern Vietnam and the reunification of the country, the War Remnants Museum launched its new brand identity with the message "Because love is victory." According to museum representatives, brand building provides a strategic framework that balances the mission of preservation and education with the need for commercialization, ensuring sustainable development. Furthermore, a strong and consistent brand identity is a key tool for building trust, affirming the museum's distinctiveness from other attractions, and fostering a deeper connection with the public.
Furthermore, due to the unique nature of possessing a space densely packed with artifacts and documents about the brutality of war, creating a safe, orderly, and conducive psychological environment for contemplation is a vital requirement. The museum's system of symbols effectively addresses this requirement through the consistent application of the proprietary color code "Blue of the Aspiration for Peace" along with a distinctive graphic language featuring minimalist, soft symbols.
Ms. Dinh Thi Ngoc Hang, Deputy Director of the museum, said: “The aesthetic uniformity creates a tranquil, organized visual field, a stark contrast to the chaos and suffering of the exhibition's subject matter. It acts as a ‘psychological anchor,’ helping visitors maintain composure to receive and reflect on profound messages without being overwhelmed by negative emotions.” This change marks a significant turning point: from an institution heavily focused on post-war condemnation, the War Remnants Museum has become a center for peace education with international influence.
Over the past half-century, from a space dedicated to denouncing war crimes, the War Remnants Museum has transformed into a "museum for peace"—a place where memory and love coexist, where the pain of the past is resolved into hope for the future. With strong innovations in management, branding, and storytelling through the language of love, the museum not only preserves the nation's memory but also spreads Vietnam's profound humanistic message to the international community: peace is the aspiration, and love is the eternal victory of humanity.
The War Remnants Museum was established on September 4, 1975. Since 1995, the museum has officially been named the War Remnants Museum. Since 1998, the museum has been a member of the International Network of Museums for Peace (INMP). From then on, the museum's image has become closely linked to its humanitarian mission, becoming a symbol of reconciliation and culture in Ho Chi Minh City.
Since its establishment, the museum is estimated to have welcomed over 25 million visitors, with some days seeing more than 10,000 visitors, the majority of whom are international tourists. Currently, the museum houses over 20,000 documents, artifacts, and films, including many valuable items donated by veterans, journalists, and international friends. In 2023, the War Remnants Museum was ranked among the top 1% of best destinations globally and was the only representative from Vietnam on this list. In 2024, the museum was awarded the "Most Loved Destination" by TripAdvisor (the world's largest travel website).
Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/bao-tang-chung-tich-chien-war-khong-gian-doi-thoai-va-hoa-giai-post811922.html
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