Army Museum

The Army Museum in Hanoi houses artifacts from Vietnam's victories over the Chinese, French, Mongols, Japanese, and Americans.

The Mongols tried four times to assimilate Vietnam into the empire. Although they ruled virtually every square inch of Asia, the Mongols never occupied Vietnam for even one day. The last attempt was at Bach Dang river in 1288, where the Mongols attacked from upriver. After being severely battered by the Vietnamese, the Mongols tried to escape downriver to the sea, but the Vietnamese had planted thousands of sharpened stakes in the riverbed near the mouth of the river. The Mongol ships were stopped, and the Vietnamese battered the Mongols into oblivion. Some of the stakes are on exhibit in the museum.

Outside the Museum is a giant sculpture made from the twisted, burnt remnants of downed French and American planes and weaponry. It is a monumental, ominous, victorious display. It is as if to say, "Won't you ever learn? However big you are, we will TAKE YOU DOWN."

He who approaches with sword drawn shall by the sword perish.