Vietnam Veterans Memorial Monument

Address: Vietnam Veterans Memorial, National Mall, Washington, D.C., USA

Website: https://www.nps.gov/vive/

Hours: Open 24 hours

Admission: Free (outdoor memorial)

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a national memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., commemorating U.S. service members who died or remain missing in the Vietnam War. The memorial was designed by Maya Lin and was dedicated in 1982.

The memorial was the result of a national design competition won by Maya Lin while she was a college student; it was erected and dedicated in the early 1980s and later complemented by additional commemorative sculptures and panels following public discussion. It has become a focal point for remembrance and reflection on the Vietnam War.

The memorial sits on the National Mall in the northwest quadrant of Washington, D.C., between the Lincoln Memorial to the west and the Washington Monument to the east.

• Best viewing times: Early morning and late evening visits provide quieter viewing and better lighting for reading the inscribed names on the wall’s reflective surface.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is on the National Mall near 17th Street NW and Constitution Avenue. It is a short walk from the Smithsonian/National Mall area; the Smithsonian Metro station (Orange/Blue/Silver) is typically the most convenient rail access and is about a 5-15 minute walk depending on which Mall entrance you choose. Foggy Bottom-GWU (Orange/Blue/Silver) and Metro Center (Red) are also within a 10-20 minute walk.

If driving, the Memorial is in central Washington, D.C.; expect short driving times from downtown but limited on‑site parking-street and public garages are nearby.

• Visit early morning or later in the evening for a quieter, more reflective experience; midday between tour groups is the busiest time along the National Mall.
• Use the National Park Service name-locator kiosks near the memorial before you go so you can find a name's exact panel and line number quickly rather than searching on the wall while others are waiting.