Ho Chi Minh War Remnants Museum

Overview

The War Remnants Museum is located at 28 Vo Van Tan Street, in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It is one of the most visited museums in the country. The museum was opened on 4 September 1975.

The unique feature of this museum is how it tells the story of the Vietnam War. The museum has three floors of exhibits. Outside, you can see real military equipment like fighter jets, helicopters, tanks, and artillery that were used during the war. Inside, there are powerful photographs and documents that show the war's effects on the Vietnamese people. The museum aims to promote world peace.

The ideal time to visit is early in the morning when the museum opens at 7:30 AM. The museum is less crowded at this time, and the weather is cooler. You should avoid visiting during lunchtime (11:30 AM to 1:30 PM) when many school groups arrive. The best months for visiting are December to April when Ho Chi Minh City has its dry season.

War Remnants Museum structure

The museum comprises a modern three-story building with a floor area of ​​4,522 square meters, along with several auxiliary facilities and an outdoor exhibition space of 3,026 square meters. The museum's exhibition system is incredibly diverse, housing over 20,000 documents, artifacts, and films. In its permanent exhibition space, the museum presents over 1,500 documents and artifacts organized by theme in each area.

In addition to its permanent exhibitions, the War Remnants Museum also organizes numerous traveling exhibitions and educational programs, seminars, and workshops on history.

What to See Nearby

Independence Palace (Reunification Convention Hall)

The Independence Palace is a landmark of Ho Chi Minh City. It was the home and workplace of the President of South Vietnam during the war. The palace has beautiful architecture from the 1960s, mixing modern styles with traditional Asian details. Inside, you can explore large meeting rooms, private residential quarters, and a hidden underground command bunker with old radios and maps. The large green gardens outside create a peaceful atmosphere. It is a wonderful place to understand the historic moment when the war ended in 1975.

• Location: 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
• Open Time: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM daily.
• Suggested Activities: Take photos of old tanks, walk through the underground bunker, and take a guided tour.
• Must-Try Local Food: Com Tam (Broken rice with grilled pork chop) near the palace gates.
• Entry Fee: 65,000 VND ($2.60 USD) per adult.

Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon

Notre Dame Cathedral is a beautiful ancient church built by French colonists in the late 19th century. The church has two tall bell towers that reach nearly 60 meters into the sky. All the red bricks used for the walls were brought directly from Marseilles, France, and they still keep their bright color today. In front of the cathedral stands a peaceful statue of the Virgin Mary. Although it is undergoing a long renovation project, visitors still come to admire its grand architecture from the outside and enjoy the lively city view around it.

• Location: Paris Square, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
• Open Time: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM (Currently restricted inside due to repairs).
• Suggested Activities: Take architecture photographs, watch local pigeons, and enjoy the street atmosphere.
• Must-Try Local Food: Banh Mi Huynh Hoa (Rich Vietnamese sandwich) or street-side iced coffee.
• Entry Fee: Free

Saigon Central Post Office

Located right next to the cathedral, the Saigon Central Post Office is a spectacular piece of architecture. Designed by the famous Gustave Eiffel, it looks like a classic European train station from the inside. It features high arched ceilings, historical maps painted on the walls, and an old portrait of President Ho Chi Minh. The building is still a fully working post office today. You can see wooden phone booths and old tables where locals write letters. It is an amazing place to experience the nostalgic charm of old Saigon.

• Location: 2 Cong Xa Paris, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
• Open Time: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily.
• Suggested Activities: Buy and mail a postcard to your family, buy souvenirs, and admire the ceiling.
• Must-Try Local Food: Che (Sweet soup dessert with beans and coconut milk) from local street vendors.
• Entry Fee: Free

Ho Chi Minh City Museum

The Ho Chi Minh City Museum is housed inside a grand, elegant palace built by French architects. The building blends European classical style with Asian motifs perfectly. Inside, the museum uses maps, old artifacts, and traditional clothing to tell the history and growth of the city over hundreds of years. The museum has a beautiful grand staircase and romantic long corridors that are very popular for photography. It offers a calm, interesting look into the city's commercial and cultural past, away from large crowds.

• Location: 65 Ly Tu Trong Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
• Open Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily.
• Suggested Activities: Explore archaeology rooms, take photos on the grand staircase, and learn city history.
• Must-Try Local Food: Pho Bo (Traditional Vietnamese beef noodle soup) at a nearby restaurant.
• Entry Fee: 30,000 VND ($1.20 USD) per visitor.

Suggested 1-Day Multi-Point Itinerary

08:00 AM: Start your morning at the War Remnants Museum. Spend two hours viewing the historic military planes and looking at the indoor exhibitions while it is cool.

10:30 AM: Walk to the Independence Palace nearby. Take a guided walk through the grand meeting halls and the interesting underground bunker.

12:30 PM: Stop for a delicious lunch. Enjoy Com Tam (broken rice) and drink a cold Ca Phe Sua Da (iced milk coffee) at a local restaurant.

02:00 PM: Walk over to Paris Square. Take beautiful photos of the historic Notre Dame Cathedral and explore the grand Central Post Office next door.

03:30 PM: Visit the Ho Chi Minh City Museum to admire its beautiful French architecture and take nice photos on the grand staircase.

05:00 PM: Walk down to Ben Thanh Market. Enjoy shopping for local souvenirs, practice bargaining, and taste local street foods like Bun Thit Nuong for dinner.

Pro-Traveler Experience Tips

To get the most out of your visit to the museum, a little preparation goes a long way. Because this is a place of deep respect and memory, visitors are asked to dress appropriately by avoiding short skirts, swimsuits, or sleeveless shirts. Inside, the exhibits can be emotionally intense; certain rooms displaying the effects of Agent Orange or the "Tiger Cages" prison models feature deeply moving and realistic photographs, so it is wise to prepare young children beforehand or consider skipping these areas entirely. 
To enrich your experience, you can rent an audio guide at the ticket counter for about 50,000 VND ($2.00 USD), which provides detailed, moving stories behind the photos. As you explore, be sure to keep your entry ticket safe, as staff will check it when you transition from the outdoor area into the main building. 
Finally, remember to stay cool and hydrated with water, sunscreen, and a hat to brave the midday heat in the outdoor yard, and keep an eye on the clock—the museum closes for a short lunch break between 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM, so plan your arrival accordingly.