Vietnam Veterans Memorial (MEM)

Published May 9, 2025 · Updated May 16, 2025

How many people visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial each year?

Over 5 million people visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial annually.

  • A total of 5,295,711 people visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in 2024, a 5.1% increase from the previous year.
  • In 2023, the memorial recorded 5,039,454 visitors, a 3.1% increase from 2022 (4,886,254 visitors).
  • In 2019 (pre-pandemic), 4,831,327 visitors came to the memorial. During the pandemic, 2020 visitation recorded a low of 1,924,128 visitors, a 65.4% drop from 2019.
Bar chart of annual recreational visits to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial from 2016 to 2024
Annual Recreational Visits to Vietnam Veterans Memorial

How much do visitors spend at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial each year?

Visitor spending at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial raises over $100 million in revenue annually.

  • In 2023, visitor spending at the memorial reached $110.67 million, a 7.9% increase from 2022 ($102.61 million).
  • The 2019 pre-pandemic revenue was $93.11 million.
  • Due to pandemic-related restrictions in 2020, revenue dropped to $37.37 million, a 59.9% decrease from 2019.
Bar chart of annual visitor spending at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial from 2018 to 2023
Visitor Spending at Vietnam Veterans MEM

Vietnam Veterans Memorial Visitations in 2025

A total of 901,450 people visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial from January to March 2025.

MonthRecreational Visit
Jan129.98 K
Feb161.84 K
Mar453.22 K

Source · This data is preliminary and subject to change.

How many people visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial per day?

  • On average, over 14,400 people visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial daily, based on annual visitor data.

How much does it cost to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial?

  • Visiting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is free. There are no entrance fees.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial Tours and Tickets

  • Walking Tours: Explore the National Mall with a guide. Prices start around $39.
  • Electric Cart Tours: A seated experience through key landmarks. Prices begin at $59.
  • Night Tours are also available

When is the peak season of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial?

The peak season at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is during spring and early summer.

  • Visitation increases notably in March, often surpassing 500,000 visitors.
  • April, May and June are particularly busy and visitor numbers frequently exceed 600,000.
Bar chart of monthly visitors to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in 2024, with March through June highlighted
Monthly Visitors to Vietnam Veterans MEM in 2024

When is the best time to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial?

March through June is the best time to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial due to mild temperatures and commemorative events.

  • October and November are also popular, coinciding with Veterans Day.
  • December through February are the least crowded months – best for a quieter experience.

How popular is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial?

  • It is one of the most visited war memorials in the U.S. and it attracts over 5 million visitors annually. In 2024, the park ranked 10th out of the most visited park sites in the United States.
  • It’s a key part of the National Mall and Memorial Parks, drawing international visitors.
  • It’s been featured in numerous travel guides and ranked among top historic sites in Washington, D.C..
Most visited National Park Service sites by recreation visitors, 2024
RankParkRecreation Visitors
1Golden Gate NRA17,187,508
2Blue Ridge PKWY16,733,639
3Great Smoky Mountains NP12,191,834
4Gateway NRA8,929,035
5Lincoln Memorial8,479,349
6Gulf Islands NS7,801,176
7Natchez Trace PKWY7,364,833
8George Washington MEM PKWY6,782,717
9Lake Mead NRA6,412,854
10Vietnam Veterans MEM5,295,711

Source · National Park Service (NPS) visitation statistics.

Other Resources

Why do people visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial?

People primarily visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to honor fallen soldiers from the Vietnam War. Some of the activities here include:

  • Viewing the 58,318 names of fallen service members inscribed on the memorial.
  • Participating in Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies and learning about U.S. history and military service.

How many Vietnam veterans are still alive in 2024?

  • Approximately 5.44 million Vietnam War veterans were reported by the U.S. Census Bureau based on the 2022 American Community Survey. It is estimated around 2.5 million may still be alive in 2024.

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References

  1. National Park Visitation Statistics · irma.nps.gov