I have tuned Harkin out, but now that you mention this, I am reading Nelson DeMille's "Up Country" which takes place in Viet Nam (story is set in 1997).
The main character just went on a tour of a village in North Vietnam and was informed that a big battle took place there in the fifties, ending with the surrender of the French. I just read this scene last night (it's a novel, but I figured he was relaying a true piece of history with this episode). Imagaine my stunned surprise! (not)
I confess to not knowing my Vietnam history as well I should.