In Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, numerous historical battlefields from the Vietnam War are revered by both American and Vietnamese people as sites where many lost their lives. This includes well-known locations such as Hamburger Hill, Khe Sanh, Hue, and the Ia Drang Valley. These areas, once scenes of fierce fighting, now serve as pilgrimage sites for veterans from both sides as well as tourists interested in witnessing firsthand the places where history was made.
U.S. Army veteran Paul Hazelton recently toured the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, reflecting on his time there during the war. Hazelton, nearing his 80th birthday, returned to Vietnam for the first time since serving as a young soldier. His journey took him to significant places like the former Phu Bai Combat Base near Hue and Da Nang, both pivotal locations during the war.
Vietnam’s protracted war with the United States from 1955 to 1975 left an indelible mark on history, claiming over 58,000 American lives and countless Vietnamese. The conflict followed closely on the heels of Vietnam’s struggle against French colonial rule, which ended with the critical battle of Dien Bien Phu in 1954. This victory led to Vietnam’s division into a communist North led by Ho Chi Minh and a U.S.-aligned South.
This year commemorates the 50th anniversary of Saigon’s fall to North Vietnamese forces and the 30th year since diplomatic relations were reestablished between the United States and Vietnam. Tourism, a pillar of Vietnam’s economic growth, has flourished post-COVID-19, attracting over 17.5 million foreign visitors in 2024. Key attractions include the War Remnants Museum and the Cu Chi tunnels, drawing many foreign visitors eager to understand the war’s legacy.
The War Remnants Museum receives around 500,000 visitors annually, two-thirds of whom are international tourists. Exhibits there highlight American war atrocities and the long-term impact of Agent Orange. Although the U.S. planned to launch an exhibit showcasing its efforts to amend wartime damage, these plans remain stalled after cuts in foreign aid.
Notable sites in Saigon include the Rex Hotel, where U.S. press briefings occurred, and the Independence Palace, penetrated by North Vietnamese tanks during the war’s conclusion. The Cu Chi tunnels, used effectively by Viet Cong guerrillas, give visitors an authentic sense of the past as they traverse the system and try out era-specific weaponry.
Tourist Theo Buono from Italy expressed gaining new insights into the war and the resilience of the Vietnamese people after visiting the Cu Chi tunnels. Former North Vietnamese Army artilleryman Luu Van Duc, revisiting with fellow veterans, felt emotionally stirred remembering the intense days of warfare. He emphasized the importance of preserving these historical sites to educate future generations.
Outside Ho Chi Minh City, key historical sites continue to attract visitors. The former Demilitarized Zone in Quang Tri province, the scene of intense conflict, saw over 3 million visitors in 2024. Here, tourists can explore the Vinh Moc tunnels and other remnants of wartime fortifications.
Sites such as Khe Sanh and Hamburger Hill each bear a rich tapestry of historical narratives. Hanoi’s Hoa Lo Prison, grimly referred to as the “Hanoi Hilton,” hosted numerous American POWs, giving tourists like Olivia Wilson from New York a complex view on the war from both perspectives. Places like these not only pique curiosity but also evoke a deeper understanding of the history between Vietnam and the United States.