Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

More Reunification Palace

The museum shows the visitors the different stages of the communist struggle for the freedom of the Vietnamese people. In the garden are some big weapons, armored vehicles and planes used by both sides in the war. Underneath the building is a big tunnel complex, which connect the museum with the Reunification Palace.

The construction of this monument started in 1885 and was completed in 1890.The monument was designed by a French architect, Mr. Foulhoux. In the beginning the monument was created for commercial exhibition purposes. But upon completion it was used as a residence for the French governor of Cochin China. Following the overthrow (March 9, 1945) of french rules by the Japanese, the monument was converted into the palace of the Japanese Governor Minoda and then used for the king's special envoy, Nguyen Van Sam. After the August Revolution (August 25, 1945), the monument had been changed into the head office of the Provisional Administrative Committee of South of Vietnam.

In September 1945, French colonialists used the building for the high commissioner of the Republic of French, and next as the palace for governor Tran Van Huu.

After the Geneva agreement in 1954, the monument was changed to the palace for the southern governor, then Gia Long Palace under president Ngo Dinh Diem and finally for the "supreme court" under the regime of Nguyen Van Thieu.

On August 12, 1978 according to decision No. 172/QD-UB of the People Committee, the monument became the Revolutionary Museum of Ho Chi Minh City. On November 23, 1978 at the 38th anniversary of the uprising of South Vietnam, the Revolutionary Museum was inaugurated and opened to visitors.

The total exhibition space is about 1200 m2 and the exhibition represents the following contents:

• a few features of former Saigon;

• the French colonialists invasion of Vietnam. The struggles against French colonialists rule before the birth of the Communist Party of Vietnam;

• The propagation of Marxism-Leninism in Vietnam, the birth of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the fighting against the French colonialists by the people of Saigon-Giadinh under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam during the period 1930-1931 and 1936-1939, the uprising of South Vietnam in 1940 and especially the August Revolution in 1945;

• The resistance fighting against the French colonialists of the people of Saigon-Giadinh from September 23, 1945 to 1954;

• The resistance fighting against American invaders, ending with the historical Ho Chi Minh Campaign, which led to the liberation of South Vietnam, thus achieving the reunification of the whole country (1954 - 1975).

The War Remnants Museum was established in September 1975 in Ho Chi Minh City. It contains countless artifacts, photographs, and pictures documenting American war crimes. Such documents illustrate the killing of civilians, spreading of chemicals, torturing of prisoners, and the effects of the war on the north. Planes, tanks, bombs, and helicopters are also on display. 

The Nha Rong Wharf, or Uncle Ho’s souvenir area, is located in district Nr..1at the junction of the Ben Nghe Channel and the Saigon River. This museum mostly contains pictures and objects relating to President Ho Chi Minh. It is from this area that 21-year-old Ho Chi Minh set sail on a French ship named Admiral Latouche Treville in June 1911. The Dragon House Wharf, originally called Nha Rong, was a French shipping company, built in 1862. The first ship left Nha Rong in November 1862. In September 1979, the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City chose Nha Rong as Ho Chi Minh Museum–Dragon House Wharf. The name was taken from the two dragon-shaped symbols on the top of the building. Over time, approximately ten million visitors, local as well as international, have seen the Ho Chi Minh Museum. In addition, events such as artistic festivals and introduction of new members to the Youth Union and the Communist Party have been held in this museum. 

The seventh Military Zone Command held a ceremony on April 30 2001 to inaugurate this historical site. The site reflects the exploits of the eastern region and a cultural house of the seventh military zone. The site recreates 43 famous places of interest, relics and events of the resounding victories of nine south-eastern provinces, which is set among green trees, verdant grass, lakes and the natural environment.