After 25 years of collecting, Duyet has transformed his 240 square meter house and garden, located along the coastal road connecting Cua Tung and Cua Viet in Ben Hai commune, into a war artifact exhibition space.

Outside, hundreds of shell casings stand side by side. Inside, artifacts fill wooden shelves, glass display cases, and narrow pathways, creating the impression of a miniature museum in an everyday setting.

Previously, Duyet worked as a mechanic in Dong Ha, which exposed him to many items left behind after the war. He began pursuing his passion for collecting in 2000.

He traveled to many provinces and cities to find and exchange artifacts, bringing them back to his home. Beyond Vietnam, he also made several trips to Laos, as it was a fierce battlefield during the war, leaving behind numerous traces.

Among the artifacts, a napalm bomb casing took Duyet the longest to acquire. He spent three years persuading a Lao individual to transfer ownership.

He recounted that this type of bomb does not explode but contains gasoline, causing fires upon impact. He visited the owner's home many times to inquire about buying it but was refused. Only after seeing his persistent pursuit over several years did the owner agree to part with it. He stated that the purchase price was not high, but transportation costs back to Vietnam were considerable.

The “tropical tree” was a reconnaissance device deployed by the US military during the war. Once planted in the ground, the device could detect people, weapons, and vehicles through vibrations.

The signals received would be automatically transmitted to an electronic warfare center. After pinpointing the location, air force or artillery units would proceed to bomb and shell the target area.

Among Duyet's 2,000 artifacts are over 50 artillery shell casings. Made of copper, these casings are valuable, with each kilogram priced at 1 million VND.

Dozens of canteens and mess kits are arranged on shelves.

Beyond bomb and shell casings, he also collects pots and agricultural and fishing tools associated with the wartime era. "Wherever I see items related to the war, I buy them. Many I acquire through exchange," he shared.

Dozens of bomb casings are displayed in the front yard. "Many people have come to buy these items, but I don't sell them; I keep them for display,” he said, adding that he spent over 3 billion VND to acquire them.

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From his collection, Duyet has assembled a backpack complete with a soldier's weapons and personal belongings.

Duyet's exhibition space attracts many visitors, including a significant number of foreign guests. Admission is free, but those who wish can contribute financially to help him maintain and preserve the artifacts.

Each item lacks a descriptive plaque; instead, Duyet personally narrates the story behind each artifact to visitors. He expressed a desire for government support in securing a suitable location to display and more broadly introduce these war memories.

Dac Thanh