What to Expect in My Lai Massacre Memorial?

Located in the capital of Quang Ngai, a province in south-central Vietnam, My Lai Massacre Memorial (known as Son My Memorial from Vietnamese side) is established in 1975, right after the Vietnam War ends. In 1979, it’s designated as a national historical site by the government. In 2025-2026, it will be restored and enlarged. Currently, this memorial has an area of 2,4ha, and is surrounded by rice fields and villages.

The My Lai Massacre was a horrific atrocity committed by U.S. Army soldiers on March 16, 1968, during the Vietnam War. American troops of Charlie Company killed hundreds of unarmed Vietnamese civilians—mostly women, children, and elderly men—in the Sơn Mỹ village of Quảng Ngãi province. The soldiers, led by Lieutenant William Calley, met no resistance but engaged in a spree of mass murder, rape, and mutilation. An Army helicopter crew, led by Warrant Officer Hugh Thompson Jr., bravely intervened to stop the slaughter and evacuate remaining civilians. The incident was initially covered up but came to public light in late 1969, fueling the anti-war movement and sparking a major scandal. Calley was the only soldier convicted for his role, though his sentence was later greatly reduced.

In My Lai Massacre Memorial, visitors will see:

– My Lai Massacre Museum: showcase a name list of all 504 victims in the massacre (many victims are kids, elders, family members), geographical feature of the village, history of the village, photos and artifacts associated with the massacre in 1968. 

– A temple where 504 has been worshipped since the end of the massacre. On 16th March annually, commemorative activities will be organized by local authorities to remembrance of the victims, stop the war and foster peace around the world.

– A statue depicts a group of villagers in a moment of tragic defiance. The central figure is an elderly woman stands tall, holding her clenched fist high in the air as a symbol of resilience and protest against the violence. The victims, in her arms, she cradles the body of a dead child, representing the innocent lives lost. Surrounding her are other figures, including a woman and a child, huddled in grief and agony.

– A bell tower serves as a spiritual call for peace and a way to honor the souls of the victims. During official commemorative ceremonies (especially on the anniversary, March 16), it is often rung. Each strike represents the 504 lives lost during the massacre, creating a somber, auditory memorial that echoes through the quiet village.

– A reconstructed ‘My Lai Village’ which has rice fields with farmer and buffalo, fruit gardens, rural houses built by mud, bamboo and thatch, footpaths,…including remains of burnt houses, a model of bomb shelter, a ditch where 100 people were herded and executed. Concrete pathways are marked with two distinct types of footprints: the heavy bootprints of American soldiers and the bare footprints of fleeing villagers.

– Tombs of victims

HOIAN DAY TRIP Company daily organizes tours and transfers to My Lai Massacre Memorial. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or hoiandaytripcompany@gmail.com, browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!