War Remnants Museum Saigon (2026 Experiences of Visiting)

I just got back from the War Remnants Museum in Saigon with my son. I want to change my mind about what I originally said about this museum in Ho Chi Minh. It’s 2026, it was my 3rd visit. I first visited in 2001, again in 2017 with my kids, and today with my young adult son. It’s only changed a little, but in such a way that I have to rethink what I wrote.

Note: I am struggling to post in real time from Vietnam on very poor internet with limited time as part of a 3 week Southeast Asia tour. I’ll come back and add more info and photos to these posts when I can. This post may contain affiliate links, please like and share, it helps us a lot.

The War Remnants Museum in Saigon

I originally wrote, back in 2017 in my guide to Saigon with Kids, that most of this museum was OK with kids so long as you avoided the top floor. Today, there is a creche on the top floor, maybe because most of the museum is not suitable for children.

Until 1995 the museum was known as The Exhibition House for Crimes of War and Aggression. It first opened in 1975.

I’ll give you some thoughts, photos, and our review of the museum today.

What’s In The War Remnants Museum

The outside courtyard, on the ground floor, is home to obsolete US military hardware from the Vietnam/American war years. Kids will love to see this stuff, and that’s cool. All of the tanks, guns, planes, and so on are well-maintained and look brand new.

I have read that these tanks, guns and planes were actually owned by the southern forces in Vietnam.

On your left as you enter from the ticket counter, there is an area covering prison conditions. This area used to be OK for kids to see, today, no, don’t take your kids in there. It’s much more harrowing and explicit than it used to be.

You could argue that it’s better, it’s certainly more modern and uses newer tech, but unless your kids are OK with reading about and seeing photos and diagrams of, horrific torture, don’t go in there.

The older part of this section on imprisonment, where they have the cells and tiger cages, is the same as it was, there are still bats in the roof, and I think that part is OK for kids, but you have to pass through the really nasty section to get there.

As you enter the ground floor of the museum, on the left, there is a section that houses temporary exhibits. Today it was about the Ho Chi Minh Trail (I think). It was OK for kids. There is also a shop and a big screen with seating at the entrance.

There is a coffee shop just outside on the right as you enter, and plenty of WCs.

To the rear of the lower floor, you’ll see some news and propaganda from the era, I’d say that was fine for kids, too. But I think I’d leave it at that.

The first floor has photographic displays and museum pieces, including weapons and preserved fetuses. There is a whole section devoted to the effects of Agent Orange. My adult son said it was “nightmare fuel.”

I’m from a medical background, pathology. I’ve seen all of this before, and worse, it doesn’t bother me too much to see things like this. The unfairness and stupidity of using these chemicalsm does. Disturbing mages here may really upset young children.

The photographic display on the left of this floor, on the atrocities of war, is even worse. I wouldn’t even think of taking younger children in there today.

The top floor, the third floor, had a creche with play and dress up available. If you are travelling as a family, maybe mum or dad can take it in turns to hang out with the kids while the other explores the museum. I didn’t ask if this was how it works, but there was one toddler in there with a parent.

The photographic display up here (when we visited, it could change) covered war heroes from both sides. It showed heroism, along with terrible atrocities. It’s tamer than the 2nd floor, but I still wouldn’t take sensitive or younger kids.

The famous photo of Kim Phuoc is here. “The Girl in The Picture,” running naked down the road after her village was attacked with Napalm. She was 9 years old. You should read her book, if you haven’t already. Today, she is an inspirational speaker, and by bizarre coincidence, my husband met her in London years after our first visit here as young backpackers.

How To Get To The Museum

Just take a Grab car, that’s the easiest way to get around HCM. You should be able to walk there from anywhere in District 1 if you have good walking legs and can handle Saigon heat. All you’ll need is a SIM card for data. Alternatively, book a guided tour with/without skip the line tickets. It was long. The Saigon Hop on Hop Off Bus tours will also take you there.

War Remnants Museum Admission Price

This museum was very affordable. We paid 40,000 VND each, under $2.00 US, $4.00 Au, with concessions for kids. There are audio guides available, but we didn’t think these were necessary as the signs are in English.

Is the War Remnants Museum in Vietnam Worth Visiting?

Yes, it’s worth visiting, I’ve been 3 times. It’s an eye-opener and a reminder of a past that can never be repeated. I think that if you want to learn about the history and politics within Vietnam throughout this period, then the Palace of Independence, also in Saigon, is a better place to do that.

They have a small museum, to the left of the Palace as you enter, that is really good. We also went there today. You can easily walk between the two. Admission to both is affordable, under $10. You can visit both in half a day, in District 1 of Saigon.

Where To Stay in Saigon For The War Remnants Museum

We think that District 1 is a good place to stay in Saigon, we’ve stayed here 3 times. This time we used Lantern Hotel. The free daily laundry service here was worth its weight in gold in Saigon heat.

There are plenty of more luxurious hotel options in District 1, try The Marriott, the location is great.

Does that help? Our Saigon with kids post will be updated and republished soon, we have some new things to add. Keep an eye on your inbox.

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