By aussiematesvietnam Vietnamese Museum of Revolution: The Path to Independence
G’day, fellow Aussies! Aussie Mates here, coming at you from the bustling streets of Hanoi. After nearly two decades calling Vietnam home, Tracy and I have explored just about every nook and cranny this beautiful country has to offer. Today, I’m taking you on a journey through one of Hanoi’s most enlightening yet often overlooked attractions – the Vietnamese Museum of Revolution. This place tells the riveting story of Vietnam’s long and arduous path to independence, and crikey, it’s a tale worth knowing!
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Finding Your Way to the Museum
Located in the heart of Hanoi’s French Quarter at 25 Tong Dan Street, the Museum of Revolution is a hop, skip, and jump away from the famous Hoan Kiem Lake. Tracy and I usually recommend our visiting mates take a leisurely stroll there, as the surrounding area showcases some gorgeous French colonial architecture.
The building itself is quite the looker – a yellow colonial structure built in 1917 that originally served as the Trade Department of Indochina. There’s something poetically fitting about a symbol of colonial power now housing the story of Vietnam’s fight for freedom, don’t you reckon?
Entry fee is dirt cheap at around 40,000 VND (roughly $2.50 AUD), making it one of the best value experiences in Hanoi. The museum is open from 8 am to 11:30 am and again from 1:30 pm to 4 pm, closed on Mondays. Fair dinkum tip: aim for a morning visit when it’s cooler and less crowded.
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The Colonial Era: Under the French Boot
The museum kicks off with exhibits depicting life under French colonial rule, which began in the late 19th century. The photographs and artifacts here paint a stark picture of the exploitation that occurred during this period. You’ll see images of Vietnamese workers in rubber plantations, coal mines, and other industries where they toiled under harsh conditions for the benefit of the colonizers.
What struck Tracy and me was the display showing the massive disparity between the opulent lifestyle of French colonists and the impoverished existence of ordinary Vietnamese. Original taxation documents show how the Vietnamese were essentially taxed into poverty – bit of a raw deal, if you ask me.
There’s also a chilling section on the various resistance movements that were brutally suppressed by colonial authorities. Some of the prison artifacts, including shackles and torture devices from the infamous Con Dao prison, are enough to make your blood run cold.
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Birth of a Revolution: Ho Chi Minh and the Communist Party
The next section of the museum focuses on the emergence of Ho Chi Minh and the founding of the Vietnamese Communist Party in 1930. Now, regardless of your political leanings, it’s impossible not to be impressed by Uncle Ho’s determination. The bloke spent 30 years traveling the world, working odd jobs, and gathering support before returning to lead his country’s independence movement.
There’s a fascinating display of original documents, including the Declaration of Independence that Ho Chi Minh read in Hanoi’s Ba Dinh Square on September 2, 1945. You’ll notice it was partly inspired by the American Declaration – he even quotes Thomas Jefferson, which Tracy always points out to our American friends when they visit.
What’s really impressive are the makeshift printing presses and rudimentary radio equipment used to spread revolutionary ideas despite constant surveillance by the French authorities. These people were incredibly resourceful – they had to be!
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The First Indochina War: David vs. Goliath
The exhibits covering the war against the French (1946-1954) are particularly moving. The Vietnamese forces were hugely outgunned but used their knowledge of the terrain and guerrilla tactics to gradually wear down the French military machine.
One of the most impressive displays is the detailed diorama of the decisive Battle of Dien Bien Phu. The Vietnamese literally dismantled bicycles to carry artillery pieces piece by piece up steep mountains, reassembling them to bombard the French positions below. Talk about thinking outside the box!
Tracy always gets misty-eyed at the personal artifacts section – letters from soldiers to their families, simple homemade weapons, and medical kits consisting of little more than herbs and bandages. Really brings home the human side of the conflict.
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The American War: Resilience Against Overwhelming Odds
Now, this section can be a bit confronting for Western visitors, especially Americans. The museum presents what we in Australia would call “the other side of the story” regarding what Vietnamese call the American War (or what we know as the Vietnam War).
There are displays of captured American weapons and equipment, detailed accounts of major battles, and exhibits on the devastating impact of bombing campaigns and chemical defoliants like Agent Orange. I always tell our Australian mates visiting to remember that museums everywhere present history from their own perspective – and this is Vietnam’s perspective.
What I find most impressive is the section on the Cu Chi tunnels and other underground complexes. The Vietnamese resilience in creating vast subterranean networks where they could live, treat their wounded, and plan operations while B-52s dropped bombs overhead is nothing short of extraordinary.
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Reunification and Beyond: Building a Nation
The final sections of the museum cover the fall/liberation of Saigon (depending on your viewpoint) in 1975 and Vietnam’s subsequent development. There are photos of the iconic tank crashing through the gates of the Presidential Palace, now known as Reunification Palace.
The exhibits then showcase Vietnam’s challenging reconstruction period, the economic reforms known as Đổi Mới initiated in 1986, and the country’s gradual reintegration into the global community. It’s fascinating to see how Vietnam has transformed from a war-torn nation to the dynamic country Tracy and I have watched evolve over our two decades here.
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Tips for Aussie Visitors
- Allow at least 2-3 hours to properly explore the museum
- English translations are present but sometimes spotty – consider hiring a guide for deeper insights
- Photography is permitted but no flash
- There’s minimal air conditioning, so dress for the Hanoi heat
- Combine your visit with the nearby Vietnam National Museum of History for a more complete picture
Final Thoughts: Why This Place Matters
For Tracy and me, the Museum of Revolution isn’t just another tourist attraction – it’s essential to understanding the Vietnam we’ve come to call home. The resilience, resourcefulness, and determination displayed throughout Vietnam’s struggle for independence help explain the national character we’ve grown to admire over our years living here.
While some exhibits clearly present history from a specific political viewpoint, the underlying human story of a people fighting against overwhelming odds for self-determination resonates universally. As Aussies, with our own national myths of the underdog and the battler, there’s something here that speaks to our values too.
If you’re an Aussie boomer planning a trip to Vietnam, put this museum on your list. It’s not as famous as Ha Long Bay or as immediately appealing as a Hoi An cooking class, but it provides crucial context that will deepen your appreciation of everything else you’ll experience in this remarkable country.
Until next time, this is Aussie Mates signing off from Hanoi. Keep those passports handy, and as we say here, “Hẹn gặp lại!” – See you again!