“All I know of you is all the sights of war.
A film by Coppola, the helicopter’s roar.”
That is the lyrics of a very famous song, Hello Vietnam, which depicts how people have known about Vietnam for centuries. Besides documentaries with helicopters, guns, bombs, and fire, there is a wide range of Vietnam War memorabilia that remind people of this intense war.
Vietnam War Memorabilia – Zippo
Zippo is one of the things that US soldiers always brought along. It was not only a mean of making fire but also a mean of expressing the soldiers’ thoughts about life, about the war, or their messages to their far-away family carved on the zippos. While some expressed the fear for the death, some expressed the hatred for their enemies or the resentment for the government, who pushed them to the war.
Vietnam War Memorabilia – Propaganda Art
As you can easily realize, the propaganda art of Vietnam bears a solid message of encouraging the civilians and soldiers to believe in the victory of the revolution. It was cheap, appealing, and effective, Richard di San Marzano, an Italian artist, commented. Just as Ho Chi Minh once said, culture could also be a battlefield, and the artists were the soldiers.
Vietnam War Memorabilia – Bomb and Bullet Shell
Vietnamese soldiers can create thousands of household appliances from bombs and bullet shells. These include water pots, Vietnamese coffee filters, pans, and tables and chairs. These items serve daily life and provide meaningful memorabilia that tells many stories about the soldiers’ lives. They are sometimes also masterpieces in memory of the creators’ fellows.
Where to Buy Vietnam War Memorabilia
You will be more likely to come across Vietnam War memorabilia in Ho Chi Minh City than in any other region in Vietnam – the electricity markets in Dan Sinh Market or Nhat Tao Market. There are several booths selling zippos, necklaces, bullet shell, and even soldiers’ badges or uniforms. You can also visit Saigon Kitsch (43 Ton That Thiep, District 1) for propaganda arts.
Summary of Vietnam War Memorabilia
Vietnam War memorabilia is still an important part of many veterans’ lives. Vietnamese people are interested in these pieces and have gathered huge collections, not for any monetary value but as a simple reminder of the long-gone past.