Having long been a lover of war literature (comics), model aeroplanes/ships and plastic soldier figurines, naturally I was keen to visit the Hanoi War Museum and it was a refreshing surprise to find a memorial proudly boasting of Vietnam’s successful defences of its territory.

It made me reflect on our own memorials to war which tend to be cowering affairs, terrified of stepping over that dangerous line of bias or glorification of war but never acknowledging any congratulations in victory.

At the Hanoi War Museum they have no such impediment. Every exhibit’s explanatory sign crows gleefully and uses the words “annihilation” and/or “puppet Government” often. Clearly the North Vietnamese are proud of having kicked the arses of the Americans, the French and the Chinese against formidable odds and rightfully so I think.

So much so, that in the middle of the museum grounds is a triumphant pile of twisted metal featuring every scrap of enemy plane/truck/torpedo ever shot down or captured. A wing here, a bent tank gun barrel sticking out there. Don’t try that again it says so clearly to onlookers – surely a powerful deterrent to war.

Another interesting thing happened to me at that museum – though I didn’t realise till later (as usual). I was propositioned in a round about way by a girl pretending to be a university student at the exhibition. She initially asked me about the translation of “annihilation” amongst other things, but the questions became more personal – ending with “are you here with anyone” and then promptly disappearing when I said that I was. I ve since heard that this is a common routine. It seems like such a lot of effort to go to but poverty is a powerful incentive.