The simple wooden door in front of you does not suggest anything special, but once you step through, you will embark on a mysterious journey back in history. That is when the camouflaged elevator door gently opens, taking you to another world - a place that preserves artifacts and heroic memories of the Saigon Special Forces.
The Saigon - Gia Dinh Special Forces Museum is located in a three-story house built in 1963 on Tran Quang Khai Street, District 1.
The museum is accessed by an old elevator, which dates back to when the house was built.
Secret house in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City
Located at 145 Tran Quang Khai, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, the Saigon - Gia Dinh Special Forces Museum is a three-story house built in 1963. This was once the secret base of special forces under the command of Mr. Tran Van Lai (aka Nam Lai). After 1975, the house was kept intact and became a museum, marking the heroic activities of the special forces.
The museum guide said: "This place used to belong to Ngoc Que union - a secret base of Saigon Special Forces. Under the cover of being a workshop to build new cyclos and process furniture for Independence Palace, this place used to be the center of activities of brave soldiers, quietly preparing for historic battles."
The large number of artifacts is a collection of weapons and bombs used in battles.
Large map depicting the attack directions of the Special Forces during the 1968 Tet Offensive and Uprising
The Saigon Special Forces Museum currently has three attractions, usually organized in a tour lasting from 3.5 to 4 hours, including sightseeing and meals. The first point is the headquarters at 145 Tran Quang Khai, District 1. Visitors can visit for about an hour, especially when the group is 10 people or more, there will be an explanation. The second point is at Dang Dung, where there is a secret mailbox and a floating bunker, with a visit and explanation time of about 30 minutes. The last point is the military bunker at 287/72 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, District 3, where Mr. Tran Van Lai dug the main tunnel. At each point, artifacts, tools and documents from the war period are displayed, helping visitors better understand the history and revolutionary activities.
Description of concealed weapons and documents
Vivid maps and mysterious networks
At the museum, the history of the Saigon - Gia Dinh Special Forces appears vividly through a diagram built on an old map of Saigon - Gia Dinh. For the first time, visitors can admire an overview of the mysterious network of operations of the Special Forces. Weapons storage bunkers and hiding places were built right in the enemy's heartland for many years to serve the major battles, especially the General Offensive and Uprising Campaign in the Spring of Mau Than 1968.
Secret bunker disguised under the wardrobe
Opening up is a shelter tunnel, from here you can go to other streets in District 1.
This system of secret tunnels is not only a strategic project but also a testament to the intelligence and ingenuity of the Saigon Special Forces. Recreated realistically and vividly, these weapon bunkers help visitors better understand the sophisticated tactics, silent sacrifices and bravery of the unknown soldiers.
Visitors are interested in admiring the wartime life of special forces soldiers through artifacts that are still preserved in the museum. A small room recreates their simple, everyday life with familiar objects such as tables and chairs, oil lamps and even old radios. This space gives visitors a sense of closeness, helping them to feel some of the difficulties and hardships that the soldiers went through.
Artifacts are still kept intact such as Guigoz milk cans, food containers, water bottles, Manchon lamps which were used by special forces soldiers to store secret letters, gold coins, and medicine during the resistance war.
Priceless value for future generations
The Saigon Special Forces Museum is a place to preserve memories and a place to educate the younger generation about history and culture. The stories and lessons from the museum do not stop at honoring the past but also motivate future generations to understand and appreciate the value of freedom and independence.
Portrait of Mr. Tran Van Lai and a small corner of the house where his family lived at that time
As a young person in the tour group, Bao Tran (21 years old, Ho Chi Minh City) shared: "The stories told through artifacts, each image on the old map, and the secret weapons bunkers right in the heart of Saigon made me feel like I was reliving the tense and fierce historical moments. I feel so proud and grateful."
On the occasion of September 2, visiting the Saigon Special Forces Museum is an opportunity for every citizen, especially the young generation, to remember, show gratitude and understand more deeply about the history of the nation. This will certainly be a memorable experience, bringing pride and gratitude to those who fought and sacrificed for the Fatherland.
The Saigon Special Forces Museum is open from 8am to 5pm daily and is a must-see destination for anyone who wants to learn about the heroic history of Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City.
