Presidential Hall-->Independence Hall-->Reunification Hall
Reunification Hall was named after the North and South
reunified after the Vietnam War. Before this time it was named Independence Hall--Vietnam’s independence from the French colonialists. When it was first built by the French, it was named the Presidential Palace. Similar to the Sears Tower in Chicago, which is now named the Willis Tower after they took over--okay, not quite the same but you get my drift. There is a famous picture that we have seen time and again of the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) tank breaking down the gate after the NVA took over the south.
We had a very interesting tour of the Hall,
where the tour guide definitely stated time and again how the Vietnamese
destroys all its enemies. Anyway?!, the
building has basically been untouched since the mid-70’s, so it was quite
interesting.
In a conference hall, Shelley tries to be serious as there is no laughing here!
A view of the fountain in the front garden from the inside of Reunification Hall
Inside one of the meeting rooms....circa 1975 and it has not changed since. Love it!
Erik gets his free elephant ride on the roof patio of the Reunification Hall
US Huey used to transport the president of South Vietnam before the NVA took over
One of the NVA tanks that broke through the gate of the Reunification Hall when the north took over the south
After the hall, we went to the War Remnants Museum. A lot of redundant pictures that we had seen
at other museums and “facts” about the various wars. Again, it could have been really well
presented, but it is not. It is more of
the same with all the propaganda and how proud they are for beating the French
and the Americans over the years. A more
factual, consistent, and chronological approach would serve museums better here
in Vietnam.
Had to get this picture of "Historic Truths". Is it the facts of the wars or Communist Propaganda? Most definitely the latter after our visit to the War Remnants Museum. Kind of amusing?!?!
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