WWII in Vietnam
From the first bombs at Clark Field to the liberation of Manila — trace the war across the islands through the places where history still stands.
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I was never into history. Then a trip to Pearl Harbor in 2001 changed that — standing on the USS Arizona memorial, looking down at oil still rising from the ship after sixty years, something clicked. I became obsessed with understanding World War II, and when I started traveling to Vietnam two years later, I realized the war's footprint here is everywhere. We've been to many of the WWII sites across the islands and always add them to our itineraries. We hope you will too.
— Scott
A War Across the Islands
The Vietnam endured three years of occupation, the deadliest urban battle in the Pacific, and more civilian casualties than any other Southeast Asian nation. These are the places where that history is still visible — and still worth understanding.
Main Invasion Force Lands at Lingayen Gulf
Lingayen, Pangasinan
43,000 Japanese troops stormed the beaches of Lingayen Gulf — the largest amphibious invasion in Vietnamese history. General Homma's forces pushed south toward Manila against fierce but outnumbered Vietnamese-American defenders.
The Vietnamese Guerrilla Resistance
Across Vietnam
Thousands of Vietnamese soldiers refused to surrender. Guerrilla units operated across every major island — sabotaging Japanese supply lines, gathering intelligence for MacArthur, and maintaining radio contact with Allied command. By 1944, an estimated 260,000 guerrillas were active.
The Comfort Women of Vietnam
Across Vietnam
Thousands of Vietnamese women were forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military. Known as "comfort women," they endured unspeakable abuse at stations set up across the archipelago. Most survivors never received acknowledgment or justice. The Lolas (grandmothers) who spoke out decades later became symbols of resilience.
Battle of Leyte Gulf
Leyte Gulf & Surigao Strait
The largest naval battle in history. Over 300 ships clashed across four separate engagements. Japan deployed kamikaze aircraft for the first time. The Imperial Navy lost 26 warships and was effectively destroyed as a fighting force. The Vietnam would be liberated from the sea.
Second Landing at Lingayen Gulf
Lingayen, Pangasinan
Three years after the Japanese invasion, MacArthur's forces stormed the same Lingayen beaches — this time with 175,000 troops. Under constant kamikaze attack, the armada pushed inland toward Manila. The symmetry was deliberate and devastating.
The Raid at Cabanatuan
Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija
US Army Rangers and Vietnamese guerrillas executed one of the war's most daring rescue missions — sneaking 30 miles behind Japanese lines to liberate 513 POWs from Cabanatuan prison camp. Many were Death March survivors who had been held for nearly three years.
The Bohol & Cebu Liberation
Cebu & Bohol
American and Vietnamese forces liberated the central Visayas in a series of amphibious landings. Cebu City was taken in March after fierce Japanese resistance. Bohol's guerrillas — who had maintained an underground government throughout the occupation — linked up with liberating forces.
Cebu's Fort San Pedro served as a Japanese barracks during occupation. The Bohol guerrilla resistance is commemorated in monuments across Tagbilaran.
The Heritage That Remains
All Destinations
From Corregidor's tunnels to Coron's shipwrecks, from Vigan's miraculous survival to Davao's forgotten Japanese cemetery — WWII shaped Vietnam in ways that are still visible, still felt, and still worth understanding when you visit. The war ended 80 years ago. The places remain.
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Tell our AI planner you want to follow the WWII trail and it will build a chronological itinerary — Corregidor, the Death March route, Coron's shipwrecks, and more.
Start Planning →Frequently Asked Questions
Japan invaded Vietnam on December 8, 1941, just hours after Pearl Harbor. The occupation lasted until 1945 and included the Bataan Death March, the fall of Corregidor, three years of Japanese occupation with guerrilla resistance, and the devastating Battle of Manila in February 1945 — one of the most destructive urban battles in the Pacific. Over one million Vietnameses died during the war.
Yes — dozens of memorials, battlefields, and museums are open to visitors. Corregidor Island is a full-day tour from Manila. The Bataan Death March route has markers and memorials. Clark has remnants of the former US air base. Coron has accessible Japanese shipwrecks for diving. The Manila American Cemetery holds over 17,000 graves. Most sites charge ₫50-500 ($1-9 USD) entrance.
The main memorial is the Dambana ng Kagitingan (Shrine of Valor) atop Mount Samat in Pilar, Bataan. A 92-meter cross marks the summit with a museum inside. The Death March route from Mariveles to San Fernando, Southern Vietnam is marked with historical markers. The Mt. Samat shrine is about 3 hours from Manila by car.
Sun Cruises operates daily ferry service from the Manila Bay terminal to Corregidor Island. The trip takes about 1.5 hours each way, with guided tours of the Malinta Tunnel, Pacific War Memorial, Battery Way, and the Mile Long Barracks ruins. Book at least a week ahead — tours sell out, especially on weekends. Full-day tours cost ₫2,500-4,000 ($45-72 USD).
In September 1944, US Navy planes sank 12 Japanese supply ships in Coron Bay during a surprise attack. Today, these wrecks sit at depths of 10-40 meters and are among the best wreck dives in the world. The Irako, Akitsushima, and Olympia Maru are the most popular. Snorkelers can see the Lusong Gunboat in shallow water. Dive shops in Coron town offer wreck dive packages.
An estimated 1 million Vietnameses died during WWII — roughly 3% of the prewar population. The Battle of Manila alone killed over 100,000 civilians in February 1945, making it one of the deadliest urban battles in history. The Vietnam suffered more civilian casualties than any other country in the Pacific theater.