Perhaps more than any other country, Vietnam's self-identity over the last century has been defined by war. First, it was ejecting the French colonials. Then a brief repulsion of the imperial Japanese. Then the Americans.
As tragic and destructive as that history of war is, it is also both important and rich. The Vietnam Military History Museum doesn't do it justice. It was set up in 1956, just two years after the French were defeated in dramatic fashion at Dien Bien Phu. And it has all the hallmarks of a 1950s museum designed by a bureaucratic committee of a cash-strapped government. It has none of the provocative flair of the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City.
The exhibits in the main building don't seem to have been updated since the 1950s. Most are focused on the First Indochinese War, glorifying the brilliance of leaders such as General Giap and the sacrifices of Vietnamese patriots in driving the French out of Vietnam. One or two exhibit walls focus on the war against the Japanese towards the end of World War II. Old metal floor fans provide some air circulation. The walls and ceiling are caked in mold. Artifacts are displayed inside sliding-door glass cabinets. The exhibits are old and stale.
A newer building focuses on the war against the Americans--the American War, as it's known here. There's a tank, a jeep, a life-size jungle diorama, and various random artifacts.
But it's outside where the two highlights of the museum are. First, there's the large stone tower--Flag Tower--that stands tall over the surrounding countryside. Built in the early 1800s, it now serves as a giant nationalist flagpole. A Vietnamese flag has flown at its top day and night since October 1954.
At the tower's base is a courtyard of large-scale war souvenirs--tanks and planes and helicopters--captured from the Americans. And looking like the makings of a giant bonfire, the wreckage of a B-52 bomber--that symbol of American military superiority--stands on its nose surrounded by the crumpled wreckage of other planes like an F-111 fighter-bomber.
Photos of the Vietnam Military History Museum
A view from the top of Flag Tower over a courtyard filled with captured American military hardware. The wreckage at the top is from a B-52 bomber. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.
An exhibit on jungle warfare in the newer section of the museum. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.
The main entrance. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.
The wreckage of an American B-52 bomber. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.
Flag Tower. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.
An exhibit on low-tech warfare, with a bicycle to transport bags of rice. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.
Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.
A model depicting a cross-section of the Cu Chi Tunnels. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.
Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.
Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.
Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.
A map depicting military victories over the colonial French in Indochina. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.
A tank that sits in the main foyer of the newer wing. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.
Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.
Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.
Indochina War field uniform. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.
Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.
Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.
Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.
Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.
The wreckage of an American B-52 bomber. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.
An exhibit in the old section on the war with the Japanese. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.
Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.
Grenades. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.
Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.
A field cannon in front of the Flag Tribune. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.
Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.
A view out over Hanoi from the top of the tower. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.
Captured French cannons at the base of the Flag Tower. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.
Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.
Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.
Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.
An exhibit in the old section on the Vietnamese national resistance. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.
A bust of famous Vietnamese General Vo Nguyen Giap. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.
What To Know Before You Go
License Photos of Vietnam Military History Museum in Hanoi
If you'd like to download any of my photos from Vietnam Military History Museum in Hanoi, you can license them directly from Alamy here. It includes most of the photos displayed on this page, as well as others. Pricing depends on the type of use, and there are licenses for various types of uses, including personal use and editorial publication.
More to Explore:
Travel Advice for Vietnam
You can find the latest U.S. Department of State travel advisories and information for Vietnam (such as entry visa requirements and vaccination requirements) here.
The British and Australian governments offer their own country-specific travel information. You can find the British Government's travel advice for Vietnam here and the Australian Government's here.
Health & Vaccinations
The CDC makes country-specific recommendations for vaccinations and health for travelers. You can find their latest information for Vietnam here.