From War Remnants to Messages of Peace

In a series of activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the War Remnants Museum, on the morning of August 28, an international scientific conference “War Remnants Museum – Museum for Peace” took place in Ho Chi Minh City. The event attracted hundreds of scientists, museum experts, veterans, and representatives of domestic and foreign organizations. More than 60 papers submitted to the conference showed the international community’s widespread interest in Vietnam’s message of peace.

In his opening speech, Mr. Lam Ngo Hoang Anh, Deputy Director in charge of War Remnants Museum management, affirmed: “The desire for peace is the core value of the Vietnamese people. This conference not only looks back at the museum’s 50-year journey but also continues to spread that humane message to friends around the world.”

Delegates at the International Conference "War Remnants Museum - Museum for Peace".

According to the organizers, the conference revolved around three topics: The value of peace in the historical and present context; The 50-year journey of the museum's transformation; The educational role of the museum in preserving peace. The presentations emphasized that the museum is not only a place to preserve painful relics, but also a bridge to help generations, especially the young, understand and appreciate the value of peace.

Mr. Chuck Searcy, President of Chapter 160 of the Veterans for Peace Association in Vietnam, shared many touching memories: “I appreciate your museum and your team. We, the veterans who fought in the war, understand the value of peace. When we know the truth about war, people will love and preserve the current peace even more.”

From an international perspective, Mr. Ron Carver, Director of the Foundation for Peace Education in Vietnam, said that he has cooperated with the museum for nearly a decade. He has brought traveling exhibitions on war and peace to dozens of universities in the US and Vietnam, and has published many specialized publications.

“We want the stories of veterans who opposed the Vietnam War, the historical truths and the pain and loss after the war to be told and retold, so that people can better understand the truth and work together to preserve peace,” said Mr. Ron Carver.

The workshop was also an opportunity to look back at the losses and consequences of war that still exist. Major General, Associate Professor, Doctor, People's Physician Nguyen Hong Son, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin, emphasized: "The pain from the past cannot be forgotten. The consequences of war still exist, such as Agent Orange, missing people, psychological sequelae... That is a lesson not only for Vietnam and the US but also for the whole world , to work together to preserve peace."

From a socio-cultural perspective, Ms. Ton Nu Thi Ninh, Chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City Peace Committee, commented: “We know the museum as a place to preserve war relics, but rarely talk about its role in promoting peace. This is the most internationally visited museum in Vietnam, because its message is deeply humanistic. Not many places in the world can do that.”

Many presentations at the conference also affirmed that the War Remnants Museum has transformed itself into a cultural and educational center, connecting the past, present and future. For many visitors, especially young people, the experience at the museum is a journey of deep awareness of war, its consequences and the desire for peace.

Photo exhibition of 50 years of historical journey for peace is displayed at Thong Nhat Hall (Ho Chi Minh City).

With 50 years of establishment and development, the War Remnants Museum has become an important cultural and historical destination of Vietnam, and at the same time a familiar address for international tourists. The presence of many experts, researchers, and veterans from many countries at this international conference further affirms the special appeal of the message of peace originating from Vietnam.

The War Remnants Museum in particular and museums in general are not only places to display artifacts, but also vivid evidence of the Vietnamese people's desire for peace, as Ms. Ton Nu Thi Ninh shared: "Peace does not come naturally, but must be nurtured, preserved and protected by the consensus of all humanity".

According to VNA

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/tu-chung-tich-chien-tranh-den-thong-diep-hoa-binh-a427431.html