Virginia & the Vietnam War

On Display
to
Exhibition Type
Limited Time Display

Admission: Included with Museum Daily Admission


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Fifty years since the Fall of Saigon—when communist forces invaded the capital of South Vietnam and renamed it Ho Chi Minh City—Virginians still feel the impact of the Vietnam War, a long, costly, and controversial conflict. 

This exhibit examines, through personal objects and oral histories, what Virginia’s soldiers, policy makers, families, activists, and Vietnamese migrants carried both physically and emotionally during the war and its aftermath. 

Visitors will tap into the hopes and fears of those connected to the war by exploring the personal items they carried and engaging with multiple oral histories. 

Image
A young solider in military fatigues and helmet carrying a camo backpack

Marine at Da Nang, 1965 (Photo: National Archives)

Artifact highlights include: a safe-conduct pass or “blood chit” carried by an assault helicopter pilot, a personalized towel used by a Navy pilot while confined in the infamous “Hanoi Hilton” prison camp, a “Yippie” flag used in an anti-war demonstration in Washington, D.C., a shirt from a refugee who escaped Vietnam with his family, and a Medal of Honor awarded posthumously to a 21 year-old officer who perished saving the lives of his troops. 

More than 230,000 Virginians served in Vietnam 1,490 Virginians died in Vietnam 

Virginia ranked 5th in the nation for the number of prisoners of war held in Vietnam 

About 200,000 Vietnam-era veterans currently live in Virginia 

Virginia is currently home to 60,000 Vietnamese Americans

Bring Virginia & the Vietnam War to Your Location

A traveling version of this exhibition appropriate for display in libraries, schools, and museums will also be available. See our traveling exhibition page for details.

Support

Presenting Sponsor
The E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation
With Support From
Katherine & Jack Nelson
Lettie Pate Evans Changing Exhibition Fund