War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City

War. Three letters which have existed thousands of years ago. Three letters which have shaped the destinies of many nations. Three letters which often deemed as the worst thing that can happen to humanity, yet still exists today in many corners of the world.

A Jet Fighter Which Was Used During The War

The most devastating war the world ever witnessed to date is World War II. Peace has taken place in more and more lands, though, ever since the war ended. However, war has not become a word of history, and Vietnam is unfortunately one of the countries which had to devour the bitterness of it.

Landmines

Vietnam war started in 1955 and ended in 1975 when the Northern troops stormed South Vietnam’s presidential palace (more on this place later). For 20 years, the land of Vietnamese people were bombarded with tons of conventional bombs and chemical weapons. The communist North Vietnam sparked the war in an attempt to conquer the pro-western South Vietnam to unite both countries as a single united Vietnam.

Environmental Damage Caused by Chemical Weapon

Although the war has long ended, the scars remain in the victims. Conventional bombs kill people instantly. But chemical weapons not only capable of killing people, but also destroy the future of those who survived. They left the victims deformed, paralyzed, genetically-mutated and other unthinkable conditions. Some of them might want to choose to get killed instantly during the war rather than living the rest of their lives like that. But some others might be grateful that they survived, therefore they can be living witnesses who can show and tell the world the atrocities of war. So that the world can do better to prevent anything like that from happening again in the future.

Some pictures in the museum are graphic and definitely not for the fainthearted. So, be advised when you visit this place with children.

Related Posts: Underground Guerrilla 101 at Cu Chi Tunnels, Reunification Palace: The Place Where Vietnam War Ended