The courtyard hardware
Aircraft, a tank and helicopters.
Prenn — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Christophe95 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Diego Delso — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Diego Delso — CC BY-SA 3.0
Ho Chi Minh City's most visited museum, telling the story of Vietnam's wars with France and the United States from the Vietnamese side. It opened in 1975, took its present name in 1995 after relations with the United States were restored, and occupies a building once used by American intelligence. In the courtyard stand wartime aircraft, a tank, artillery and helicopters, and a reconstruction of the «tiger cages» in which prisoners were held. Inside, floors of photographs cover the bombing campaigns, the use of napalm and of the defoliant Agent Orange and its effects on later generations, and the work of war photographers from many countries. Many of the photographs are extremely graphic, showing the dead and children born with severe disabilities, and some displays are unsuitable for young children; parents may want to look at the upper floors first. The visit is heavy going, and ninety minutes is the minimum. Since February 2026 timed tickets can be booked on the museum's website, which saves queuing at the gate.
Aircraft, a tank and helicopters.
Work from many countries.
A reconstruction of prison cells.
28 Vo Van Tan Street, Saigon
Independence PalaceThe former presidential palace of South Vietnam, designed by the architect Ngo V6 minutes walk4.6
Notre-Dame Cathedral of SaigonThe red-brick cathedral at the head of Dong Khoi Street, built by the French bet9 minutes walk4.5
Saigon Central Post OfficeA working post office in a grand colonial hall, built between 1886 and 1891 besi11 minutes walk4.3
Museum of Ho Chi Minh CityA grand colonial mansion of 1890 that tells the story of the city, and one of th11 minutes walk4.3
Ben Thanh MarketSaigon's best-known market and one of the oldest surviving buildings in the city13 minutes walk4.2Some floors show extremely graphic images of the dead and of children with severe disabilities, unsuitable for young children, so parents should look first. The hardware in the courtyard is fine for everyone.