Emotion, memory, and national identity: Vietnamese youth experiences of dark tourism

This study explores how Vietnamese youth emotionally engage with dark tourism sites associated with war and historical trauma. Drawing on qualitative interviews with 15 young visitors to war-related heritage sites, the findings show that participants’ experiences often moved from immediate emotional reactions, including fear, sorrow, discomfort, empathy, and emotional ambivalence, toward deeper reflection on history, personal values, and civic responsibility. Participants frequently interpreted traumatic history through narratives of sacrifice, resilience, and collective endurance, shaping feelings of gratitude, national belonging, and appreciation for peace. The findings also suggest that emotionally difficult and contradictory reactions often encourage participants to reflect more deeply on historical suffering and its relevance to contemporary society. Overall, the study shows that Vietnamese dark tourism sites function not only as spaces of remembrance, but also as places where emotional reflection, historical interpretation, and civic meaning-making intersect. The study contributes to broader discussions on dark tourism, memory, and identity formation in postcolonial contexts.