THE HEALED WOUND – SOUTHEASTERN VIETNAM WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM

The Healed Wound is envisioned as a museum that not only preserves the memory of The Resistance War against America for National Salvation (1954–1975), commonly referred to internationally as The Vietnam War, but also embodies the spirit of healing, turning the scars of war into a shared appreciation of peace.

Instead of erasing traces of violence, the design preserves and transforms these traces into architectural elements, turning scars of war into collective memory and an emotional journey. The Chàng Riệc forest and indigenous subterranean structures serve as primary materials. Architecturally, the form emerges as a hidden bunker within the vast woodland: two subterranean levels hold the weight of memory, while a semi-subterranean floor gently rises, inviting discovery and reflection. Positioned on a heritage axis linking the Square and Terracotta Tile Mural (2015) and The COSVN Historical Site (1973), the museum bridges past and present through four functions: Exhibition & Archival preservation, Research & Conservation, Memorial, Education & Community engagement.

The experiential journey follows a psychological healing process: Peace – War – Facing – Hope and Rebirth. This unfolds within an enclosing structure symbolizing the human psyche under wartime stress. The forest, fading then regenerating with time, is integral to the narrative, guiding visitors from silence to memory, dialogue, and finally hope and rebirth.

In retrospect, the subterranean and semi-subterranean spaces, together with the forest, though somber in form, nurture resilience and faith in peace. The museum becomes a “healed wound”, reminding us that while pain lingers, time teaches us to accept, move forward, and cherish the fragile gift of peace.