Vietnam War Sites Draw Pilgrims and Tourists Alike for Reflection and Education

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The battlefields and historical sites of the Vietnam War, once the backdrop to intense conflict, have transformed into places of pilgrimage and tourism, offering both Americans and Vietnamese a chance to connect with a tumultuous past. Key locations like Hamburger Hill, the Ia Drang Valley, and Khe Sanh are no longer just names in history books or films; they are destinations where visitors can reflect on the sacrifice and resilience displayed over half a century ago.

 

U.S. Army veteran Paul Hazelton recently revisited Vietnam near his 80th birthday, walking through sites that hold personal significance. This included the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City—formerly Saigon—where he served as a young draftee. Hazelton observed the stark transformation of Vietnam from a war zone to a bustling country that thrives on international trade and tourism.

 

Vietnam's war with the United States, lasting from 1955 to 1975, saw more than 58,000 American and far greater numbers of Vietnamese casualties. The conflict followed the expulsion of French colonial forces and the partitioning of Vietnam into the communist North and U.S.-aligned South. This year, the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, coincides with 30 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

 

Tourism is pivotal to Vietnam's economy, rebounding vigorously post-pandemic. In 2024, Vietnam hosted over 17.5 million foreign visitors, nearing pre-Covid records. The War Remnants Museum draws about 500,000 visitors annually, two-thirds of whom are foreign. It highlights the war's impact, including the notorious My Lai massacre and the destructive legacy of Agent Orange.

 

While the U.S. planned to contribute its own exhibition detailing damage remediation efforts, these plans are on hold due to foreign aid cuts by the Trump administration.

 

 

 

Significant sites in Saigon include the Cu Chi tunnels, which illustrate Vietnamese guerrilla tactics with its expansive network used to elude American forces. Visitors have a chance to experience the ingenuity of the guerrillas by navigating the tunnels and visiting a firing range featuring war-era weapons.

 

The former Demilitarized Zone in Quang Tri Province, a site of intense conflict, attracted over 3 million visitors in 2024. Nearby, the Vinh Moc tunnels reflect the resilience of Vietnamese civilians amidst relentless bombings. Other locations of historic conflict, like the Citadel in Hue and Khe Sanh, offer visitors insight into the intense battles that took place.

 

In Hanoi, the Hoa Lo Prison—known sardonicly to prisoners as the "Hanoi Hilton"—offers a somber look at the air war from the Vietnamese perspective. American POWs, including the late Sen. John McCain, were held here, sharing untold stories of endurance and memory.

 

With these sites offering an "alternative perspective on the war," as one visitor from New York noted, Vietnam continues to draw those who seek to learn, reflect, and understand a war that shaped the destinies of millions, reported VN Express.

 

-- 2025-04-17