What is Ho Chi Minh and the Fifth Military Zone Museum about?
The Ho Chi Minh and the Fifth Military Zone Museum is all about Vietnam’s military history, especially the central region’s involvement during the wars against the French and Americans. It’s part war museum, part tribute to Ho Chi Minh, with indoor exhibitions, old photographs, documents, and an outdoor area full of tanks, planes, and artillery.
The experience is mostly visual and quite traditional—not interactive, but packed with historical detail. If you’re curious about Vietnam’s wartime past or looking for a deeper understanding of the country’s fight for independence, this museum gives you a clear and focused look.
Visiting information
Opening times
- Tuesday to Thursday, Saturday and Sunday
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM - Monday and Friday
Closed
Entrance fee
- 60,000 VND per person
- No confirmed discounts for students or children
Location
- 3 Duy Tan Street, Da Nang, Vietnam
- Also appears on some maps as Zone 5 Military Museum or Ho Chi Minh Museum Da Nang
- Located in the city but not directly near other tourist spots—plan it as a dedicated stop
How to get there
It’s easiest to reach by taxi or ride-hailing apps like Grab or Xanh SM, especially if you’re staying near the beach or the Han River area. It’s a bit far to walk from central tourist zones, and the area around it is more local and quiet.
Audio guides or tours
There are no official audio guides or apps, and signage is mostly in Vietnamese with limited English. Some exhibits include English text, but translations are often brief or inconsistent. It’s manageable without a guide, but having some background knowledge helps.
Highlights of the Ho Chi Minh and Fifth Military Zone Museum
The museum is spread over a large complex with outdoor displays and two main buildings. It covers different aspects of Vietnam’s military history and includes a strong focus on Ho Chi Minh’s life and influence. These are the key areas to look out for:
1. Outdoor military equipment zone
Outside the museum, you’ll find a wide range of large, real-life military vehicles and weapons—tanks, helicopters, artillery, and even fighter jets. Many were captured during the wars with the French and Americans, while others were used later in conflicts with Cambodia or China. It’s an impressive collection, especially if you’re interested in military hardware.
2. Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House Replica
One corner of the grounds recreates Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house from Hanoi, complete with a garden and fish pond. It’s a quiet, shaded spot meant to reflect the simplicity of his lifestyle. While not large, it adds a more personal layer to the museum and is often a favorite stop for Vietnamese visitors.
3. War history and the Fifth Military Zone
Inside the main building, exhibitions focus on the central region’s role during the resistance wars. Expect maps, old photos, personal items, and stories of local soldiers and civilians. There are also memorials to generals, war heroes, and Vietnamese mothers who lost their children in battle. Some sections are quite detailed and graphic, showing the intensity of the wartime experience in this part of Vietnam.
4. Ho Chi Minh Exhibition Hall
Another building is dedicated entirely to the life and legacy of Ho Chi Minh. You’ll see hundreds of photos and documents about his leadership, speeches, and personal story. There are also rare artifacts, like a pair of layered shoes used for smuggling documents and sandals worn by a local resistance fighter who carried gunpowder under her feet to destroy a U.S. fuel depot. This part gives a human angle to the war narrative.
Is it worth visiting?
The Ho Chi Minh and Fifth Military Zone Museum is a solid choice if you’re interested in military history or want to understand more about Vietnam’s past beyond what you might hear on a DMZ tour. It’s especially worth it for travelers who enjoy war museums, historical artifacts, or seeing real-life equipment like tanks and planes up close.
That said, it’s not a high-tech or interactive experience—most of the displays are traditional, and English explanations are limited. There’s no air conditioning, and the layout can feel a bit scattered. Younger kids may lose interest unless they’re into military vehicles. But if you’re okay with a more old-school, low-budget setup, this museum offers a lot of insight into the country’s struggle for independence, especially in central Vietnam.
A visit takes about 1.5 to 2.5 hours, and the entry fee is low, so it’s good value if the topic interests you.
Pro tip:
Want to compare this with other museums in the city? Check out our full guide to the best museums in Da Nang
