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Vietnam Veterans Memorial - Washington DC

Closest Metro Stops:
Smithsonian Washington DC vacation
Foggy Bottom-GWU
View Metro Map

vacation Hours: 24 hours

vacation Phone: (202) 426-6841

vacation Website: nps.gov/vive

vacation Address: 5 Henry Bacon Dr NW, Washington, DC 20242

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is near two metro stations: Smithsonian Station and Foggy Bottom-GWU Station. Both stations are on the Orange, Silver, and Blue lines of the Metro System. The Smithsonian Station has two exits; make sure to leave the station through the "12th St & Independence Ave SW" exit. Use the map and directions below to find suggested routes to the memorial.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial - Washington DC

From Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro Station
Approx. 0.8 mile, 15 min walk
vacation Walk south on 23rd Street NW toward H Street NW.
Turn left at Constitution Avenue NW.

From Smithsonian Metro Station
Approx. 1.2 mile, 24 min walk
vacation The Smithsonian Station has two exits. Leave the station through the "12th St & Independence Ave SW" exit.
Washington DC vacation Head west on Independence Ave SW toward 14th St SW (toward the Washington Monument).
Turn right on 17th St NW.
Turn left onto Constitution Ave NW.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial honors members of the U.S. Armed Forces who served in the Vietnam War, particularly those who were killed in action, remain missing inaction, or were held as prisoners of war.

The Memorial consists of 3 parts: the Wall of names, the Three Servicemen Statue and Flagpole, and the Vietnam Women's Memorial.

The Wall of names has a mirror-like surface and stretches into the distance, directing you towards the Washington Monument in the east, and the Lincoln Memorial to the west, thus bringing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial into a historical context.

The Three Servicemen Statue show the men as "emerging out of the woods, looking vulnerable and alone". They look directly towards the apex of the wall. The figures were unveiled on November 8, 1984.

The Flagpole has the seals of the five military services: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy. On special occasions a POW/MIA flag is flown on the same staff underneath the stars and stripes of the U.S. flag. Those occasions are Memorial Day, Veteran's Day and POW/MIA Recognition Day.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was founded by Jan Scruggs, who served in Vietnam from 1969-1970 as a infantry corporal. He wanted the memorial to acknowledge and recognize the service and sacrifice of all who served in Vietnam.

Hours of Operation

Visitors may visit the memorial 24 hours a day.

Rangers are on duty to answer questions from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. daily and to provide interpretive programs every hour on the hour from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m.

Parking

Street parking in Washington DC is restricted from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. Make sure to see signs for site specific restrictions. Free on-street parking is restricted to two hours (ticketing/towing enforced).

Limited, free day-long parking is available along Ohio Drive SW which is along the Potomac River south of the Lincoln Memorial or in Lots A, B, and C south of the Jefferson Memorial.

Additional parking lots and on-street parking can be found in East Potomac Park along Ohio Drive, SW between Buckeye Drive and Hains Point.

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Vietnam Veterans Memorial - Washington DC

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Hours of Operation

Parking

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