Foreign Media Highlights Vietnam's Historical Sites for Travelers

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These destinations, according to NG, provide profound insight into the country's complex past, from war memorials to preserved underground tunnels. Here’s a summary of the featured locations:

1. Vietnam Military History Museum

A section of the Vietnam Military History Museum.

Now housed in a striking fan-shaped building in western Hanoi since late 2024, this museum was relocated from its original site near the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. It presents an in-depth view of Vietnam’s military heritage, showcasing artifacts and narratives from key conflicts.

2. Son My Memorial Site (My Lai Massacre Memorial)

Memorial monument at the Son My Memorial Site (Photo: quangngaitv.vn)

Described as both emotional and harrowing, this site in central Vietnam commemorates the tragic My Lai massacre. It stands as a reminder of the civilian lives lost during the war and aims to promote peace and reconciliation.

3. War Remnants Museum

Foreign Visitors at the War Remnants Museum (Photo: DDM/VGP)

A powerful institution that is part of the International Network of Museums for Peace (INMP) and the International Council of Museums (ICOM), this museum documents the impact of the Vietnam War with sobering photojournalism, war relics, and firsthand accounts.

4. Independence Palace (Reunification Palace)

Independence Palace visitor map (Photo: dinhdoclap.gov.vn)

Formerly known as the Presidential Palace of South Vietnam, this building marked the end of the war in 1975 when tanks crashed through its gates, symbolizing reunification. Built in 1966, it is now a museum that reflects on the country’s turning point in history.

5. Cu Chi Tunnels

Cu Chi Tunnels (Photo: VNA)

Located roughly 30 km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City, the Cu Chi Tunnels offer a glimpse into the underground network used by Vietnamese soldiers during the war. Visitors can navigate narrow, dim tunnels hidden beneath forest floors, now free from the dangers of the past such as venomous animals or disease.

6. Hoa Lo Prison

The special exhibition "Golden Heart, Iron Will" at Hoa Lo Prison (Photo: Phuong Anh)

Once a French colonial prison and later used to detain American POWs during the war, Hoa Lo is infamous for its harsh conditions. Much of the site was demolished in the 1990s, but a preserved section now serves as a museum. Personal items from prisoners - including the flight suit of late U.S. Senator John McCain - are displayed here.

7. Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)

Hien Luong Bridge marked the 17th parallel, symbolizing Vietnam’s post-1954 division.

This historical buffer zone divided North and South Vietnam from 1954 to 1976 and was a focal point during the war. Key sites include the former Khe Sanh Combat Base and the nearby Ta Con airstrip, where remnants of aircraft, tanks, and rocket launchers remain rusting. Located in a mountainous region, the DMZ can be reached within a 2.5-hour drive from Hue.

8. Vinh Moc Tunnels

Vinh Moc Tunnels in Quang Tri (Photo: VGP)

Unlike the Cu Chi network, the Vinh Moc Tunnels served as an underground village during U.S. bombing campaigns from 1966 to 1972. Nearly 90 families lived in this well-structured system, which included kitchens, wells, and even a maternity room. The site is also near the DMZ and can be explored on a day trip from Hue, making it a convenient two-in-one historical journey.

With its blend of war history and cultural resilience, Vietnam continues to offer travelers not only scenic beauty but also powerful lessons in endurance and peace.

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