Spoils of the War

Americans call it the Vietnam War. Vietnamese call it the American War. Whatever you call it, it was an ugly war. However, when you ask an American about the Vietnam War, they think of the number of GIs' dead, protests, the Vietnam War Memorial, Agent Orange, refugees, Saigon, etc. When you ask a Vietnamese about the American War, they don't like to talk about it. They have move on. Sometimes you come across pictures of Hanoi being bombed during the war and the sacrifices they have to make. But, in general, they look to the future. When I was living in Hanoi, the taxi would take me pass the Defense Ministry every morning on my way to the office. At the corner of Nguyen Tri Phuong and Dien Bien Phu Streets, across the street from Lenin Park, you can see relics from the war. I've never tried to go inside to see the Army Museum but on this trip, I thought I will go in and see what is on display. By the way, Dien Bien Phu reminds one of another famous Vietnamese war - the Revolutionary War against the French. This area is also very French - wide avenues with shaded trees and French villas. Regardless, the Vietnamese are very proud of their victories. You see that in the Revolutionary Palace in Ho Chi Minh City and here in Hanoi, on display, are the American weapons they captured from the war.

An American F-6 Fighter Jet

Chinook Helicopter

An Army Tank

An Army Aircraft

Helicopter

Armored Personnel Carrier

Heaps of Weapons

Bragging Rights from the French and American Wars