We visited mid-morning to avoid the tour crowds, and I would suggest the earlier the better, so as to experience the displays with the level of solitude it requires.
I was astounded by the number of people who wouldn't pay a paltry fee for the self guided audio headset as it added so much clarity to the experience.
It was shocking to see how a supposedly civilised country such as France treated their fellow humans, but then again, how many empires behaved in such a manor ? and how many countries still are today ?
The displays were well laid out and numbered for ease of understanding with the audio headset.
I realise that this is Vietnam's story to tell, however, I thought it was a little cheapened by the constant maintenance of the party line through the French area when human emotion must have been to the fore of the poor Vietnamese, and the assertion that, in general, the American POWs were treated with such gentleness and compassion during that conflict. Obviously, the pictures and displays are authentic, however, I imagine selective portrayal was extensively used.
I thought the narrative was weigted unnecessarily heavily in one direction, as what I assume would be a more accurate portrayal, would certainly be understandable to most people today.
For me, both the story and site were lessened a little by such.
I'm glad I went and would recommend a visit to anyone visiting Ha Noi.
Also, maybe it's just me, but I noticed a few people openly sobbing ??? Whilst its eye opening for sure, I certainly didn't achieve such emotion.