Vietnam War Sites to Visit: Hanoi, the DMZ and Ho Chi Minh City

The main Vietnam War sites to visit sit on the usual north-to-south route: prisons and museums in Hanoi, the former Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) north of Hue, and the War Remnants Museum and Cu Chi tunnels around Ho Chi Minh City. This guide from our Vietnam travel blog covers each region, then explains what to expect and how to visit respectfully.

Many travelers include one or two of these places in a wider trip, and some come specifically for history. If you are planning a visit, apply for a Vietnam e-visa online first.

War sites at a glance:

Hanoi and the north

Hanoi's key war sites are Hoa Lo Prison, used by the French and later to hold American pilots, and the Vietnam Military History Museum. A B-52 wreck still lies in a small lake in a residential neighborhood. Our Hanoi guide covers the city.

Further west, Dien Bien Phu is where Vietnamese forces defeated the French in 1954, ending French rule in Indochina. Its museum, restored bunkers and hills are part of our northwest Vietnam loop.

The DMZ

The DMZ was the strip around the Ben Hai river that divided North and South Vietnam from 1954 to 1975. A DMZ tour is usually a full day from Hue, covering the Hien Luong bridge, the Vinh Moc tunnels and the Khe Sanh combat base.

The Vinh Moc tunnels were dug by villagers to shelter families from bombing and run for about two kilometers on three levels; they are roomier than Cu Chi. Khe Sanh is now a small open-air museum with bunkers and aircraft. Many former battlefields are farmland today, so a good guide matters. Our Hue guide covers the base city.

Hue and the central coast

Hue saw heavy fighting in 1968, and some damage to the Imperial City is still visible. Guides can point out sites of the battle within the citadel.

South of Hoi An, the Son My memorial in Quang Ngai commemorates the 1968 massacre of villagers, with a museum and preserved grounds. It is a solemn visit, best made with time to reflect.

Ho Chi Minh City and the south

The War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City has the country's largest display of war photography and exhibits on Agent Orange and civilian casualties. Some images are graphic. The Reunification Palace nearby is where the war ended in April 1975.

The Cu Chi tunnels, a half-day trip northwest of the city, show how fighters lived underground; our Cu Chi tunnels guide compares the two sites. Our Ho Chi Minh City guide has a three-day plan that fits both. Two points help any visit: knowing what to expect, and behaving appropriately at memorials.

Vietnam War sites to visit respectfully

War sites in Vietnam present the war from the Vietnamese perspective and remember great losses on all sides. Visiting with an open mind gives the most insight.

What to expect

Expect museums with strong viewpoints, memorials and cemeteries, and many sites where little remains above ground. A knowledgeable guide makes the DMZ and Khe Sanh far more meaningful. Allow time to process difficult exhibits.

Behavior at memorials

Dress modestly at cemeteries and memorials, speak quietly, and avoid posing for playful photos. Follow signs about photography. Shooting ranges at some sites are optional; skip them if they feel out of place.

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