Vietnam Veterans Memorial
- Address:Henry Bacon Drive, at Constitution Avenue NW, National Mall, Washington D.C.
- Hours:Open 24 hours a day
- Admission:Free
Cultural Experience, Must-Do Experience, Monument - Historical, Monument - Military
12:48 AM Monday, May 28
Passing clouds. Mild.
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If not one of the most powerful in the world, the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial is certainly one of the most powerful in Washington D.C. The iconic memorial is comprised of two walls of polished black granite, on which the names of the 58,209 soldiers killed in the Vietnam War are inscribed. It's an eloquent inversion of the Mall's other monuments: rather than a pale, ornate structure reaching skyward, it's dark, austere and burrows into the earth, symbolizing the war's wound to the national psyche.
Paper indices at both ends help you locate individual names. The most moving remembrances are notes, medals, and mementos left by survivors, family and friends; some of these are collected by park rangers and displayed at the National Museum of American History.
Nearby is the tree-ringed Women in Vietnam Memorial depicting female soldiers aiding a fallen man. Veterans dedicated to finding lost POWs have set up permanent camps around the monument, passing out pamphlets and Congressional petitions to search for soldiers still missing three decades after the war's end.
Latest Reviews All Vietnam Veterans Memorial Reviews »
This is a very good orientation tour. I thought we would only stop for photos, but we actually had time to visit the WWII, Jefferson, Vietnam Veterans, Lincoln, Korean and Iwo Jima Memorials. While we only toured the exteriors of the Capitol, White House and Washington Monument, our tour guide, Brian, provided interesting information at every stop. We also liked the cruise and lunch on the Potomac. We were very pleased with this tour.
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Recommend the tour. The driver was informative and entertaining. It was a beautiful moonlit night (great luck/timing with that!) Rushed for time at the Lincoln/Korean War/Vietnam Memorials; only got to see two of three with time alotted. On the negative side, Viator did not notify the trolley co. of our reservation (discovered the day of the tour when we confirmed), but the trolley co. fit us in.
Continue Reading »Note from Viator: Thank you for your comment. In case it isn't clear, Viator does not individually notify the tour operator of each individual who books the tour through our web site. As it says in the information section for this tour listing, "You must present a paper voucher for this tour. We will email a link to access and print your voucher at the Lead Travelers email address." That is all you should have to do to take this tour.
It is a must to call the local tour company the day before to confirm your reservation. The driver picked us up at a near by hotel & drop us off at our hotel. it was very nice of him. It was very dark at the Vietnam & Korean Memorial, not good to view at night. Overall, it's good value. Continue Reading »
Practical Info
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is located northeast of the Lincoln Memorial, on the National Mall, and is accessible via metro and bus. The memorial is also near the Conservatory Garden and the Reflecting Pool, which fronts the Lincoln Memorial. Allow 20 to 30 minutes for your visit.
