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Washington, D.C., District of Columbia / Landmarks

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

A poignant national memorial in Washington, D.C., honoring the 58,318 Americans who died in the Vietnam War, featuring a reflective black granite wall and complementary sculptures.

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Vietnam Veterans Memorial
National Park Service, CC BY 2.0

What is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial known for?

It is a U.S. national memorial in Washington, D.C., that honors service members of the United States Armed Forces who served in the Vietnam War. Its most prominent feature is a massive wall that chronologically lists the names of 58,318 Americans who died in service.

What are the different elements of the memorial complex?

In addition to the main wall, the complex includes the Three Servicemen statue, the Vietnam Women’s Memorial, the In Memory plaque, and a flagpole featuring the insignia of the country's military branches.

What is the Vietnam Women's Memorial?

Dedicated on November 11, 1993, it is the first and only memorial to military women on the National Mall, honoring the 265,000 military and civilian women who served worldwide during the Vietnam War.

Who designed the memorial and how was it funded?

The memorial was designed by Maya Ying Lin, who was a 21-year-old Yale University student at the time. It was built using private contributions from more than 275,000 individual donors, veterans, and various organizations, with no federal funds used.

When was the memorial established?

The memorial was established on November 13, 1982, and the wall was dedicated on Veterans Day of that same year.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

What to know

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a U.S. national memorial in Washington, D.C., dedicated to honoring the service members of the United States Armed Forces who served in the Vietnam War. Established on November 13, 1982, the site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its most prominent feature is a massive, reflective black granite wall that chronologically lists the names of 58,318 Americans who gave their lives in service to their country. The memorial complex includes several distinct elements beyond the wall. Visitors can find the Three Servicemen statue, the In Memory plaque, and a flagpole featuring an etching of the insignia of the country's five military branches. These additions provide a broader context to the sacrifice and service of those remembered here. Adding to the site's significance, the Vietnam Women's Memorial was dedicated on November 11, 1993, as part of the larger complex. This is the nation's first and only memorial to military women on the National Mall, specifically honoring the 265,000 military and civilian women who served worldwide during the conflict. Remarkably, the memorial was built entirely with private contributions from the American people, using no federal funds. The winning design was submitted by Maya Lin, a 21-year-old Yale University senior at the time of selection, whose vision was chosen unanimously from 1,421 entries. This grassroots funding and student-led design gave the memorial a unique emotional weight and an enduring legacy of healing.

Visitor tips

  • Allow at least an hour to walk the length of the wall and reflect on the names inscribed there.
  • Visit during the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the largest crowds of the nearly 5 million annual visitors.
  • Wear comfortable walking shoes as the National Mall area is expansive.

Nearby context

Located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is surrounded by other major national monuments and memorials, making it easy to integrate into a walking tour of the capital's commemorative same-day trip.

Sources

Evidence and links