as is well known, vietnam has a complex and tragic recent history. the two not-to-miss historical things to see in ho chi minh city/saigon, particularly for americans, are the war remnants museum and the reunification palace.
the war remnants museum is a thorough look back at the american occupation of south vietnam. the area around the museum contains aircraft, tanks and munitions. inside, there are many details of the vietnam war. it is fascinating to see and read about one’s own country from the perspective of people for whom the united states was an occupying force. particularly poignant are many pictures and descriptions of the effects of agent orange, which was sadly systematically sprayed over much of the country.
the other can’t miss sight is the reunification palace, which was the official residence of the president of south vietnam during the war. the foyer was bombed by attempted assassins in the 60s, and american presidents came to visit multiple times. it was designed for a siege, with bunkers in the basement, situation-rooms with maps on the walls, a cinema, and a rooftop with an open-air piano bar and dance floor with a helicopter available if urgent evacuation became necessary. when the vietnam war ended, a tank crashed through the front gate, and the palace has essentially remained frozen in time since. i found it really fascinating to explore.
