The experience of the Vietnamese community, in being allies-turned refugees, is one that necessitates memorialization and remembrance. The Vietnam War resulted in the displacement of approximately two million Vietnamese refugees. Although two-thirds of those displaced were eventually resettled, the remaining third perished at sea while attempting to flee. In the aftermath of the conflict, various Vietnamese communities across the United States have worked to memorialize the experiences of those living and those lost. Such memorialization has taken on various forms, including individual items and larger public memorials.
The Việt Museum seeks to honor and remember all who fled in search of safety. The sections below feature memorials from the Việt Museum.
ARVN Memorial War Hall of Fame
The ARVN Memorial War Hall of Fame was dedicated in April 2014 to the civil and military personnel of the Republic of Vietnam. On the Memorial Wall are portraits honoring seven heroes of the ARVN who were targeted then killed following April 30, 1975. The Memorial Wall also honors those who made sacrifices during the conflict and bears witness to the fall of South Vietnam on April 30, 1975.
The statue was created by Hoang Mong Thu and was funded by donations from the Vietnamese community.
Quảng Trị Citadel
The monument honors the recapture of the Quảng Trị province by the Army of the Republic of Vietnam Military (ARVN) on September 16th, 1972 after the Second Battle of Quảng Trị. The bronze bas relief depicts an iconic photograph after the battle in which ARVN soldiers are erecting the flag of the Republic of Vietnam among the ruins of the Quảng Trị Citadel. The inscription at the base of the monument reads: “Từ đổ nát chúng ta xây dựng lại” or "from the ruins, we rebuild."
Fishing Boats Used by Refugees
The outside of the museum features two reconstructions of fishing boats used by refugees fleeing Vietnam. Slides 1-3 show the reconstruction of Hải Nhuận fishing boat which left from Thuận An in the southeast region of Vietnam with twenty-six refugees aboard in 1987. The refugees aboard the Hải Nhuận traveled directly to Hong Kong. Slides 4-6 show the reconstruction of the Tân Phát fishing boat which left from Cà Mau, a city in southern Vietnam, with twenty-one refugees aboard in 1980. The refugees on the Tân Phát were rescued by a Japanese boat. The boats serve to memorialize the thousands of Vietnamese refugees who fled by boat.
Xung Phong – The Vanguard
This monument depicts a soldier of the ARVN 18th Infantry Division in combat at the front in Long Khanh, during the last days of April 1975. Created by Thanh Hue, professor of Hue College of Fine Arts in 2001.
The Statue of Brotherhood
Statue made of plaster by Master Thanh Hue. Portrays a soldier kneeling down to pay respects to his brothers-in-arms, who have just fallen in battle.
Other Memorials
To see other memorials dedicated by/to the Vietnamese diaspora throughout the world, check out this database by clicking here.