OUR BEGINNING

For those who served in Vietnam, the passage of time has not erased the places, faces, or memories of war. Many veterans carry psychological and emotional wounds that extend beyond themselves, affecting spouses, children, and families across generations. We believe these experiences deserve to be understood, those who served deserve to be heard, and those who never returned must never be forgotten. That belief is at the heart of the Return to Vietnam initiative.

“We believe battlefield reconciliation can become one of the most powerful pathways toward healing from the lasting psychological wounds of war.”

– Joseph GETHERALL, 1966 (USMC)

WHO WE SERVE

Return to Vietnam, an initiative of Vietnam Inc., honors Vietnam veterans and recognizes the families whose lives have also been shaped by the lasting effects of war. We create meaningful pathways for veterans to return to the places they served, reconnect with fellow service members, honor fallen comrades, and find moments of reflection and peace. Every veteran has a story. Every family carries part of that story. We are here to honor both.

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WHERE OUR MISSION COMES FROM

Return to Vietnam was born from witnessing the profound emotional impact of veterans returning to places associated with war, trauma, and loss. We witnessed how these journeys could provide opportunities to confront painful memories, honor fallen comrades, and experience moments of therapeutic closure. We also recognize that the emotional wounds veterans carry can shape relationships and family life across generations. Our mission grew from the belief that helping veterans find peace with their past can also bring understanding, connection, and hope to the families who share their journey.

Black and white photo of an elderly Asian woman wearing a wide-brimmed straw hat and a knitted sweater, sitting outdoors.

Black and white photo of an older man with a mustache and beard, wearing a baseball cap with military patches, looking surprised or contemplative.

A portrait of an elderly Asian man wearing a wide-brimmed hat, holding a long bamboo stick on his shoulder, outdoors.

A man in a black polo shirt with folded arms is standing outdoors in front of a thatched-roof structure and a wooden vehicle, wearing a military-style cap that says 'Combat Medic.'

An elderly man with missing teeth, a long beard, and a surprised or expressive facial expression. He is wearing a suit jacket and shirt, with a blurred background.

A black-and-white photo of an older man with a beard, wearing a baseball cap and a plaid shirt, standing outdoors with a field of plants and bushes behind him, under a partly cloudy sky.

Close-up black and white portrait of an elderly woman with long, wispy white hair and deeply wrinkled skin, wearing a patterned fleece jacket.

A black and white portrait of an elderly woman wearing a striped sleeveless shirt and a wide-brimmed hat, standing outdoors with trees in the background.

A black and white photo of an elderly man with a long white beard and hair, wearing a striped shirt, outdoors with trees and wooden structures in the background.

A man with a serious expression wearing a cap that says 'Airborne' and 'Tiger Bravo', standing outdoors near a bridge.

A woman wearing a patterned shirt and a large hat, standing outdoors in a field, in black and white.

An elderly man wearing glasses, a cap with a patch, a checkered shirt, and a bandana around his neck, standing outdoors with palm trees in the background.

WHAT WE BELIEVE

The wounds of war do not always end with those who served. They can live on in the hearts and lives of the families who love them. Every veteran deserves to be heard, every fallen comrade deserves to be honored, and every family affected by the lasting emotional impact of war deserves understanding and compassion. We believe returning to meaningful places can create opportunities for remembrance, reflection, reconciliation, and personal healing. We cannot change the past, but we can honor those who lived it and help future generations understand its human cost.

A woman in a military uniform smiling in front of a dark background.

A man in a military uniform and cap, smiling at the camera.

A young man with a fade hairstyle and a sideways combed lock, wearing a dark green collared shirt, looking at the camera against a plain background.

A woman wearing glasses and a green uniform is holding a small black puppy outside, smiling and looking down at the puppy.

Young man in outdoor jungle setting crouching with a coffee cup, wearing a hat, glasses, and outdoor gear, smiling and making a fist gesture.

A soldier wearing a helmet, glasses, and a brown vest with a notebook in the chest pocket stands in a rural outdoor setting with mountains in the background.

A young man in military uniform standing in front of a sandbag lookout post, smoking a cigarette, with a rifle leaning against the post on a cloudy day in a rural area.

A young soldier sitting outdoors in military uniform, with military tents and vehicles in the background.

Close-up of a soldier wearing a helmet with a small puppy on top, holding a rifle, and dressed in military gear, outdoors in a desert environment.

Young boy in a navy sailor uniform wearing glasses and a sailor hat, with a serious expression.

A young soldier in a military uniform and helmet, with a serious expression in a combat zone.

A woman with short, brown hair wearing a military green uniform with epaulets, a pen in the pocket, and a serious expression on her face.

Young man in military uniform in dense jungle, with others preparing for an operation.

Three men in military clothing sitting on a log in a lush, green forest, with one man holding a knife and the other two holding guns, and another person in the background wearing military gear.

Young man in military uniform pointing at his chest with his right hand, standing indoors with wood-paneled walls and a firearm mounted on the wall behind him.

Woman in military uniform outdoors with desert landscape and mountains in background.

A man in military uniform with a cap, sitting outdoors, looking at the camera with a serious expression.

Two soldiers in military gear, wearing helmets and backpacks, standing outdoors.

A man wearing a military uniform and camouflage cap holding a rifle.

Portrait of a woman with short blond hair, blue eyes, and wearing an olive green shirt against a neutral background.

“I returned to Vietnam carrying the weight of war. But through reconciliation with the battlefield, I discovered something I once believed was lost forever—not just peace with the past, but peace within myself.”

- William TERRELL, 1967 (USA)

Group of fifteen men posing in front of a rock formation with a sign that reads "Camp Peale" and a large star. The men are outdoors on a hill, some wearing hats and sunglasses, with a scenic view of a city and hills in the background.

A group of ten men walking on a beach with mountains in the background.

A group of people holding an American flag standing under a sign in Vietnamese script, with trees and utility poles in the background.

Group of men in hats and casual attire standing in a forest setting

A group of twelve men standing outdoors in front of a damaged bridge with metal trusses, surrounded by trees and overgrown grass.

A group of eleven men posing outdoors in a garden or park, some standing and some kneeling, surrounded by trees and plants.

A group of people standing in front of the Mao Is possible in Hanoi, Vietnam. The building has a large sign reading 'Mao Is possible'. The group is posed for a photo, some wearing hats and casual clothing, with a few holding bags or sunglasses.

Group of older men outdoors surrounded by trees, wearing casual clothing and hats.

OUR PROMISE

We will return with dignity, respect, compassion, and historical integrity. We will honor each veteran’s story, support their families, and acknowledge the lasting human effects of war. We will approach Vietnam with humility and keep people—not programs—at the center. Returning is about honoring service, remembering the lost, and recognizing generations shaped by war.

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