War Remnants Museum 50 years: Affirming the role of a museum for peace

On the morning of August 28, at the Reunification Hall, the War Remnants Museum coordinated with the Ho Chi Minh City Peace Committee to organize an international conference with the theme "War Remnants Museum - Museum for Peace", to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Museum's founding (September 4, 1975 - September 4, 2025), the 23rd anniversary of the International Day of Peace and the 41st anniversary of the Ho Chi Minh City Peace Committee (December 10, 1984 - December 10, 2025).

War Remnants Museum in collaboration with Ho Chi Minh City Peace Committee, organized an international conference with the theme "War Remnants Museum - Museum for Peace"

Attending the workshop were comrades: Pham Dinh Phong, Deputy Director of the Department of Cultural Heritage, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Ton Nu Thi Ninh, President of the Ho Chi Minh City Peace and Development Fund, President of the Ho Chi Minh City Peace Committee; Dinh Thi Thanh Thuy, Deputy Head of the Ho Chi Minh City Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department; Nguyen Minh Nhut, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Le Tu Cam, President of the Ho Chi Minh City Cultural Heritage Association; Nguyen Tran Bao Chau, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs;...

The workshop attracted many experts, researchers, veterans, domestic and foreign organizations operating in the fields of museums, history, and peace education .

Delegates and guests visit the exhibition before the start of the Workshop.

In his opening speech, Mr. Lam Ngo Hoang Anh, Deputy Director in charge of the Museum, emphasized: “Over the past 50 years, the Museum has become a space for historical memories, contributing to healing the wounds of war, promoting reconciliation and spreading the message of peace. In the new period, the Museum will continue to transform the heritage of memories into cultural soft power, spiritual resources to educate the younger generation and affirm the image of a Vietnam that loves peace and friendship.”

Delegates and guests visit the exhibition before the start of the Workshop.

In his speech at the workshop, Dr. Tran Nguyen Khang (University of Social Sciences and Humanities - VNU-HCM) said that war museums are paradoxical in that they both commemorate painful memories and nurture the desire for peace. For Vietnam - a post-conflict country, museums are not only a place to preserve national memories but also a tool of cultural diplomacy , contributing to affirming identity, soft power and promoting international dialogue.

The conference received 67 presentations, divided into 3 groups of topics: The Vietnamese people's aspiration for peace - historical value and contemporary significance; 50 years of the War Remnants Museum spreading peace; and the journey to continue writing the story of peace in the new context. Many opinions proposed solutions to apply digital technology, curation methods that focus on emotions and stories, and expand international exchanges to promote the effectiveness of peace education.

Visitors ring the peace bell at the War Remnants Museum.

The workshop is an important international forum, affirming the role of the War Remnants Museum as a typical institution for peace in the region, expanding cooperation, spreading historical and humanistic values ​​and sustainable development.

According to Ms. Ton Nu Thi Ninh, Chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City Peace Committee and Chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City Peace and Development Foundation, 2025 is not only the 50th anniversary of the peaceful reunification of the country, but also the 50th birthday of the War Remnants Museum - the most visited museum in Vietnam. The biggest message from the Museum is: Peace does not come naturally, but is the result of will and sacrifice to protect independence and freedom. She emphasized that the Museum needs to continue to promote its mission of peace education, while affirming the steadfast commitment of the State and People of Vietnam to peace domestically and globally.

BLUE

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/bao-tang-chung-tich-chien-tranh-50-nam-khang-dinh-vai-tro-bao-tang-vi-hoa-binh-post810576.html