1 in 6 international tourists to Ho Chi Minh City visit the War Remnants Museum

On September 4, the War Remnants Museum (Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Ho Chi Minh City) organized a meeting “50-year journey: Because love is peace ” and opened the exhibition “Southern cuisine during the resistance war”. This is a meaningful activity on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment and development of the Museum (September 4, 1975 - September 4, 2025).

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, leaders of Ho Chi Minh City, veteran revolutionaries, historical witnesses, and many domestic and international friends and partners.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Pham Dinh Phong - Deputy Director of the Department of Cultural Heritage (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) emphasized: "Half a century ago, amidst the hustle and bustle of a city that had just been liberated, the 'American - Puppet Crime Exhibition House' was born.

Preserving memories of war is not to spread hatred, but to draw profound lessons and cherish the values of peace, independence, freedom and happiness today.

1 in 6 international tourists to Ho Chi Minh City visit the War Remnants Museum - photo 2 — Intergenerational museum exchange program

The War Remnants Museum was established on September 4, 1975 under the policy of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee. Through many stages, the unit was successively named "Exhibition House of Aggressive War Crimes" (1990) and from July 4, 1995, it was officially called "War Remnants Museum".

Over the past half century, the Museum has welcomed more than 25 million visitors, becoming a special cultural and tourist destination, an active member of the International Network of Museums for Peace (INMP) and the International Council of Museums (ICOM). In particular, since 2014, the unit has been the first museum in Ho Chi Minh City to be fully self-sufficient in operating costs.

1 in 6 international tourists to Ho Chi Minh City visit the War Remnants Museum - photo 3 — Certificate awarding ceremony of the Department of Cultural Heritage

1 in 6 international tourists to Ho Chi Minh City visit the War Remnants Museum - photo 4 — Honoring the Board of Directors of the War Remnants Museum through the ages

The museum is continuously recognized internationally: Top 25 most attractive museums in Asia, Top 10 most beautiful museums in the world; in 2023, it will be classified as a Grade I Museum in the Vietnam National Museum System.

The statistic that “1 in 6 international tourists to Ho Chi Minh City visit the Museum” is a clear demonstration of the attraction of this heritage.

In the past 5 years, despite being heavily affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Museum's staff has proactively applied 3D technology, VR360, QR codes, etc., expanding the online visiting space and spreading the message of peace beyond borders.

1 in 6 international tourists to Ho Chi Minh City visit the War Remnants Museum - photo 5 — Delegates and visitors visit the thematic exhibition space

1 in 6 international tourists to Ho Chi Minh City visit the War Remnants Museum - photo 6

A major milestone was the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), now managed by the US State Department, to establish an exhibition space on “joint efforts to overcome the consequences of war” .

This is a meaningful step of reconciliation, demonstrating the spirit of closing the past, looking towards the future, and affirming that Vietnam is a reliable partner of the international community.

As part of the commemoration, the Museum is exhibiting a special theme called “Southern Cuisine during the Resistance War”. The exhibition introduces simple meals in the war zone but full of spiritual strength, reflecting the creativity, resilience and faith of our army and people throughout the war.

This is also a "travel back in time" trip, helping the public to be more proud of their ancestors' generation, while also appreciating today's peace.

1 in 6 international tourists to Ho Chi Minh City visit the War Remnants Museum - photo 7 — International tourists expressed their delight at the experience of making dough with a Vietnamese stone mortar.

1 in 6 international tourists to Ho Chi Minh City visit the War Remnants Museum - photo 8 — Museum staff explain the topic "Southern cuisine during the resistance war"

On the occasion of its 50th anniversary, the War Remnants Museum expresses its gratitude to generations of leaders, historical witnesses, officials, workers and international friends who have accompanied it along the way.

The Museum team affirms that it will continue to innovate, promote values, and become “a museum for peace” in the hearts of the public, as well as a cultural – historical – educational destination of international stature, contributing to building a civilized, modern, and affectionate Ho Chi Minh City.