Many parents let their children touch guns and climb onto historical tanks and cannons in the newly-built Vietnam Military History Museum in Nam Tu Liem District, Hanoi last weekend, stirring up public outrage.

On Sunday, the museum welcomed some 40,000 visitors, especially veterans. Young people were specifically interested in learning about Vietnam's history.

The behavior of both children and adults, such as climbing on exhibits for photos, sparked public frustration.

Despite repeated warnings from museum staff, some visitors ignored them, causing artifacts and plaques to fall.

Many children and parents even used tanks and cannons as photo props, disregarding clear signs that prohibited climbing or leaning on the exhibits, according to Le Thi Yen, a resident of Hoang Mai District, Hanoi.

“I saw some people drying their clothes at the entrance hall, and others having meals in the lobby,” she recounted.

Phan Hong Quan, a tourist from Vinh Phuc Province, northern Vietnam shared that when he alerted some parents to their children’s mischief, they were disrespectful toward him.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Lan Huong, head of the museum's public relations and education department, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that the management board had devised a detailed plan to protect the artifacts.

Given the large space and numerous historical relics, preserving and safeguarding the exhibits poses a significant challenge.

To address this, Huong mentioned that efforts will be increased to deploy staff across all areas, ensuring the safety of the artifacts while improving visitor experiences.

The museum officially opened on November 1 and offers free admission until the end of December. 

After the free admission period, entrance ticket prices will be VND40,000 (US$1.6) per adult and VND20,000 ($0.8) for students and the elderly. Soldiers and veterans will permanently enjoy free admission.

Residents and tourists can visit the museum from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Covering an area of 23,198 square meters, the museum is home to over 150,000 exhibits, including four national treasures listed as two MIG-21 aircraft, a T54B tank, and a map. 

Its exhibition areas focus on six themes related to the nation’s establishment, protection, and development.

The property's two outdoor squares, which span over 20,000 square meters each, display historic aircraft, tanks, weaponry, and war relics.

The museum features modern technologies such as 3D mapping and 3D films. An automated narration software detailing Vietnam’s heroic wartime victories is also available. 

Previously located at Dien Bien Phu Street in Ba Dinh District, the museum was relocated to a 38.6-hectare property straddling Nam Tu Liem District’s Tay Mo and Dai Mo Wards.

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