The Ten-Thousand-Day War at Sea: The US Navy in Vietnam 1950-1975

The Hampton Roads Naval Museum tells the story of the U.S. Navy’s involvement in the Vietnam War through artifact collections, film presentations and a virtual reality experience. The goals of the exhibits are to connect with both military personnel and the general public, while honoring the 1.8 million sailors in active service during the conflict.

Organized by types of naval operations used during the war – intelligence, surface navy, riverine, and air power – the exhibits feature first hand accounts from local Vietnam veterans. Guests are immersed in scenic imagery throughout the experience, encountering a tactile diorama of a POW scene and traveling through the jungle while sitting on a boat. A “Voices from the War” component includes veteran oral histories, available both in-person and online. At the conclusion of the exhibition, guests are invited to leave their thoughts or recount their own memories of Vietnam.