Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
The Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial honors the service and sacrifice of the men and women from the Philadelphia area who served in the Vietnam War.
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Summary
It is located in Penn's Landing, along the Delaware River waterfront in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
There are several good reasons to visit the Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial, including paying tribute to those who served in the Vietnam War, learning about the history and impact of the war, and viewing the impressive and poignant memorial sculptures.
The centerpiece of the memorial is a bronze statue called "The Three Servicemen," which depicts three soldiers in various poses, representing the diversity of the American forces that served in Vietnam. Other points of interest include a wall of honor, which lists the names of all the Philadelphia-area soldiers who died in the war, and a replica of the Vietnam Women's Memorial, which commemorates the thousands of women who served in Vietnam.
One interesting fact about the Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial is that it was designed by Vietnamese-American artist and architect Robert Venturi, in collaboration with sculptor James Rosati and landscape architect Carol Johnson. Another interesting fact is that the memorial was dedicated on Memorial Day in 1987, exactly 25 years after the start of the Vietnam War.
The best time of year to visit the Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial is during the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and pleasant. However, the memorial is open year-round, and visitors can pay their respects and learn about the history of the Vietnam War at any time.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
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