Kien’s Journey: Learning the Untold Stories of the Vietnam War

As one of our most thoughtful and dedicated hosts, Kien has long been passionate about sharing Vietnam’s complex history with travelers. But being a great storyteller also means being a great listener. That’s why Kien recently joined a local experience in Hanoi—not to guide, but to learn.

The experience took Kien through powerful, lesser-known wartime narratives across the city. It began on Lý Thường Kiệt Street, just outside the Public Security Museum. There, stories from 1972 came alive: tales of Hanoi under heavy U.S. bombing, of families hiding in bomb shelters, and of a population that refused to surrender. Kien paid close attention to how the guide framed the resilience of the people—not just through military triumphs like “Điện Biên Phủ trên không,” – Operation Linebacker II, sometimes referred to as the Christmas bombings and, in Vietnam, Dien Bien Phu in the air, but through the everyday courage of civilians.

At the Hỏa Lò Prison, the group revisited haunting moments in history—from the The Poisoning at Hanoi Citadel (Vietnamese: Hà Thành đầu độc) to accounts of political prisoners who risked everything for escape. The stories were powerful, though sometimes inconsistent. Still, Kien found meaning in the fragments, knowing that history is often told in layers.

>>> Read more: Vietnam War: Top 10 Places in Vietnam to learn about the war

Perhaps the most moving part of the journey was meeting Mr. Vũ Hy Thiều, a veteran and wartime artist. His recollections of the 1968 Tet Offensive and secret missions to paint propaganda murals offered Kien a rare window into the emotional landscape of war—one shaped not only by violence, but by art, message, and memory.

The tour ended with a hands-on activity: participants used old stencil techniques to create mock newspaper headlines. While the instructions were minimal, Kien appreciated the chance to reflect independently—reminded that sometimes, silence allows stories to surface in unexpected ways.

For Kien, this wasn’t just a tour. It was a step deeper into the past, so that he can bring richer, more nuanced stories to the people he hosts. It’s hosts like Kien—curious, compassionate, and always learning—who keep history alive, one story at a time.

Now, he’s ready to pass those stories on.

👉 Join our walk to explore Hanoi during the Vietnam War—the dark side of its most famous monuments. Discover life under the planned economy, the fate of locals from both North and South, and the dramatic unification of a divided Vietnam at the edge of the Cold War.

🕰️ A 2.5-hour stroll (with a short taxi ride) through untold streets, hidden corners, and powerful stories—designed for curious travelers who want more than guidebooks can offer. It’s a conversation, not a lecture.

📍 Stops include:
– Chợ Giời area
– Khâm Thiên B52 Memorial
– Hanoi Train Street