I agree with the two previous posts, Hearts and Minds seemed like an introduction into viewing Vietnam from a different perspective and Trip to Hanoi was that different perspective.
I thought it was interesting how the author used "I" and "we" as well and I think in Hearts and Minds this is equivalent to showing scenes of a football game and a parade; reminding the viewer (or reader) that he is American by showing what a stereotypical American is or does.
The section of the reading in which the author is taken to the grave of an American pilot was touching to me as well because I couldn't believe it was true. We have seen and read so much material about Americans killing Vietnamese for sport and in mass numbers (like in Hearts and Minds- the former soldiers being interviewed systematically killed hundreds without thinking twice), yet the Vietnamese make an effort to protect an American corpse...an American who killed Vietnamese. This seems too nice or perfect? Why would they do this? Americans do not make graves for them/care about their families? I think the author told this story to shock the reader out of thinking Americans are perfect and Vietnamese do not have feelings or emotions.
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