Vietnam attracts American veterans and international tourists on April 30th.

Some people remember Vietnam's war of resistance against the US through the names of major battles, others through films and history books. For thousands of Vietnamese and Americans, they know about this resistance through war cemeteries, where the remains of those who fell more than 50 years ago are preserved, the AP reported.

"This used to be a battlefield when I arrived," said former US soldier Paul Hazelton as he and his wife walked through the grounds of the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City. Hazelton's trip, marking his 80th birthday, brought him back to places where he fought as a young man, such as Hue, Phu Bai base, and Da Nang. Everything has changed now, along with the hustle and bustle of life. "That's remarkable," Paul said, expressing his joy that Vietnam and the US now have friendly diplomatic relations and thriving trade.

The war of resistance against the US for national liberation lasted 21 years (1954-1975). This year, Vietnam celebrates the 50th anniversary of national reunification and the 30th anniversary of the re-establishment of diplomatic relations with the US. Tourism has recovered rapidly after the pandemic and is now an important driver of Vietnam's economic growth. In 2024, Vietnam is expected to have the fastest tourism recovery rate in Southeast Asia, welcoming 17.6 million international visitors, nearly reaching the 18 million mark of the golden year of 2019.

The War Remnants Museum attracts half a million visitors annually, nearly two-thirds of whom are international. Other sites related to history and the resistance against the US include the Independence Palace, the Rex Hotel (where the US often held press conferences at the time), and the Cu Chi Tunnels. Visiting the tunnels allows visitors to gain a better understanding of the war. "Now I can understand a little better what life was like back then, how the Vietnamese people fought and defended themselves," said Italian visitor Buono after visiting the tunnels.

Tourists take photos in front of the Independence Palace, Ho Chi Minh City.

Besides international visitors and American veterans, Cu Chi also regularly welcomes Vietnamese veterans. "I am deeply moved to revisit the old battlefield. That was my last wish; I wanted to relive those arduous but glorious days with my comrades," said Mr. Luu Van Duc, a 78-year-old veteran. Mr. Duc believes that historical sites like this need to be preserved so that future generations can learn about the heroic history of the nation.

The war in North Vietnam was primarily an aerial war. Today, the Hoa Lo Prison Museum retells this historical story from a Vietnamese perspective. Once sarcastically called the "Hilton of Hanoi " by prisoners of war, the former French prison in Hanoi held American prisoners of war, mostly pilots shot down in air raids. One of the most famous prisoners was the late Senator John McCain.

"It was both strange and fascinating. It gave me a different perspective on the war," said Olivia Wilson, 28, from New York, about her visit to the Hoa Lo Prison Museum.

(According to VnExpress)

Source: https://baoyenbai.com.vn/226/348877/Viet-Nam-thu-hut-cuu-binh-My-va-du-khach-quoc-te-dip-304.aspx