Ho Chi Minh City War Remnants Museum Guide: Opening Hours, Exhibits and Visit Time
📅 Last updated: 2026/09/21
Yes, especially if you want to understand the history of the Vietnam War. Ho Chi Minh City's War Remnants Museum is in District 3. Outside, it displays warplanes, tanks and artillery; inside, three floors of photos and artifacts document the Vietnam War and its lasting impact. Allow 1.5–2 hours. Some of the photos are disturbing, so be prepared if you're bringing children.
- Address: 28 Võ Văn Tần, Quận 3, about a 10-minute walk from Independence Palace.
- Opening hours: Daily, roughly 07:30–17:30; check official announcements for current hours.
- What to see: Warplanes and tanks outside, Vietnam War photos, the effects of Agent Orange, work by war photojournalists and a model of the prisoner-of-war prison.
- Time needed: 1.5–2 hours.
- Nearby: Independence Palace, Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica and Saigon Central Post Office are all close by.
Where is the War Remnants Museum?
📍 War Remnants Museum, Ho Chi Minh City | Open in Google Maps for directions
The museum is on Vo Van Tan Street (Võ Văn Tần) in District 3, about a 10-minute walk from Independence Palace and about 10 minutes by car from Ben Thanh Market, so it fits easily into a day of District 1 landmarks.
Opening hours and visitor information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Daily, roughly 07:30–17:30; enter before 16:30. Check official announcements for current hours |
| Tickets | A ticket is required; buy it at the museum |
| Time needed | 1.5–2 hours |
| Photography | Photos are allowed in most galleries; please be respectful of the exhibits |
| Facilities | The museum is air-conditioned, so it's a good stop in the midday heat |
What's on each floor?
| Area | What to see |
|---|---|
| Outdoor courtyard | Warplanes, helicopters, tanks and artillery left behind by the US military, up close |
| Prisoner-of-war prison model | A re-creation of the "tiger cages" once used to hold political prisoners |
| Historical Truths gallery | Photos and documents tracing the causes and course of the Vietnam War |
| Effects of Agent Orange | Documents the impact of the defoliant on the land and on several generations of people; the content is heavy |
| War photojournalists' work | Photos taken by war correspondents from many countries, which leave a deep impression on many visitors |
Gallery names and content may change; what you see on site takes precedence.
Suggested route through the museum
| Order | Area | Suggested time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Warplanes and tanks in the outdoor courtyard | 20 minutes |
| 2 | Prisoner-of-war prison model | 15 minutes |
| 3 | Indoor galleries, from the top floor down | 60–70 minutes |
| 4 | Rest by the ground-floor exit | 10 minutes |
Is it suitable for kids?
Kids are usually fascinated by the warplanes and tanks outside, but inside there are many graphic photos of war casualties and the effects of Agent Orange. With younger children, you can stick to the outdoor area and some of the galleries, and have adults take turns seeing the rest.
How to combine it with other Ho Chi Minh City sights
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| Morning | Independence Palace, Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica, Saigon Central Post Office |
| Midday | Lunch |
| Afternoon | War Remnants Museum |
| Evening | Ben Thanh Market or the Saigon Waterbus |
To dig deeper into the Vietnam War, add another day for the Cu Chi Tunnels and see the underground passages dug by guerrilla fighters.
For more on Independence Palace and the Cu Chi Tunnels, see our Independence Palace Guide and Cu Chi Tunnels: Half Day or Full Day?.
War Remnants Museum FAQ
Where is the War Remnants Museum?
At 28 Võ Văn Tần, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, about a 10-minute walk from Independence Palace.
What are the War Remnants Museum's opening hours?
Daily, roughly 07:30–17:30, with entry recommended before 16:30; check official announcements for current hours.
How long do you need at the War Remnants Museum?
Allow 1.5–2 hours: about 20 minutes outdoors and 1 hour or more in the indoor galleries.
Is the War Remnants Museum worth visiting?
Yes, especially if you want to understand the history of the Vietnam War. There are warplanes and tanks outside, and inside, photos and artifacts document the war and its impact. The content is heavy.
Is the War Remnants Museum suitable for kids?
The warplanes and tanks outside are fine for kids, but inside there are many photos of casualties and the effects of Agent Orange, so younger children may want to see only some galleries.
What's near the War Remnants Museum?
Independence Palace, Saigon's Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica, Saigon Central Post Office and Ben Thanh Market are all nearby, making it easy to visit them on the same day.
How can I see the War Remnants Museum and the city sights in one day?
The Lanytrip Ho Chi Minh City Culture Day Tour visits the War Remnants Museum in the afternoon, covers Independence Palace, Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica, Saigon Central Post Office, Thien Hau Temple and Binh Tay Market in the morning, and ends with a Saigon Waterbus ride.
