Things to know about Hanoi Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton).
Hanoi
3 minutes
Mar 11, 2024
Hoa Lo Prison in Hanoi is also known to people as ‘Hanoi Hilton’ and ‘Maison Central’.
It housed political prisoners during French colonial times and American prisoners of war before Vietnam. This is a large colonial-style prison, most of which was demolished in the 1990s.
Tourists visiting "Hanoi Hilton" for the first time should be careful as they may experience feelings of sadness, disgust and anger. When visiting this terrible prison in Hanoi, you need to be somewhat prepared.
History of Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton)
Hoa Lo was originally built to be used as a prison under French rule. This prison was built by the French from 1886 to 1901 and was called "Maison Centrale". This space was used to hold political prisoners.
Hoa Lo prisoners lived in terrible conditions. According to official data, there were hundreds of prisoners, but in reality, 2,000 prisoners were crammed into a space that could hold up to 600 prisoners. Prisoners at Hoa Lo camp were often tied to the ground and beaten by guards. Executions took place with a portable guillotine. The Hoa Lo camp became a symbol of French oppression of Vietnam.
When the French were driven out of Hanoi in 1954, the Vietnamese also began using the prisons themselves. When the United States invaded, North Vietnam created special areas specifically for prisoners of war. American soldiers sarcastically called this prison the “Hanoi Hilton.” The most famous prisoner is former Republican senator and former presidential candidate John McCain.
The American prisoners were mostly Air Force pilots and they often came to Hoa Lo wounded, where their condition worsened. U.S. Senator John McCain was one such prisoner. He suffered injuries, including a broken knee, and was taken prisoner and taken to Hoa Lo. Prison authorities refused to treat him until it was discovered that his father was a high-ranking commander.
Towards the end of the war, prisoners of war were slowly released from Hoa Lo Prison. Although it continued to detain political rebels for 20 years, the prison was closed and largely demolished in 1990 to make way for the construction of high-rise buildings as Hanoi developed.
Guillotine in Hoa Lo Prison, Hanoi
What you see now in the current Hoa Lo prison is actually only a small southern part of the entire prison complex. Today, the former prison serves as a museum where you can learn more about the prison and Vietnam's struggle for independence.
A walk through Hoa Lo Prison reveals more traces of France's past than its American past. The main content of the Hoa Lo Prison Museum focuses on the suffering of Vietnamese revolutionaries who were imprisoned and sometimes executed here during French rule in Vietnam in the early 20th century. In the stories of American prisoners of war, Vietnamese soldiers are shown as clean-shaven and as kind and good-treating men.
Therefore, most of the theme of the museum is dedicated to the inhumane conditions in which Vietnamese communists were detained during French rule. There is also a room showing how the prisoners were tied to each other, with descriptions of prison life, pictures of actual guillotines and beheaded Vietnamese.
Guillotine in Hoa Lo Prison, Hanoi
A small section of the museum commemorates the period during which American prisoners of war were held in prison. This area is presented as a comfortable barracks where prisoners lived comfortably. After the American pilot was released, the story was different. The story of the American version of the Hoa Lo camp differs from that of the actual prisoners who were imprisoned at the Hanoi Hilton.
John McCain's pilot suit worn in Hanoi
One of the most interesting pieces on display in this section is the pilot suit worn by John McCain when he was shot during the attack on the Yen Phu power plant.
Ticket price: 30.000 VND/adult
Business hours: 8:00 am - 17:00 daily
Address: Address: 1 Hoả Lò, Trần Hung Dao, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
Places of interest near Hanoi Prison
Hoa Lo Prison is located on the outskirts of Hanoi's Old Quarter and can be seen along with a visit to the small streets of the Old Quarter. From the old town, you can walk along Hoan Kiem Lake and turn right on P Bao Khanh Street to head to St. Joseph's Cathedral. From here it is a further 650m walk to the prison, which takes about 8 minutes.
About 600 meters from the prison is the Vietnamese Women's Museum, one of the best museums in Hanoi that you can visit. From here you can walk across the other side of the lake to the Old Quarter or take a detour to the Hanoi Opera House. The entire route is between 3 and 4.5 km. If the distance is too far, you can take a taxi or hire a cyclo for half a day.
Table of contents
Things to know about Hanoi Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton).
Hanoi
3 minutes
Mar 11, 2024
Hoa Lo Prison in Hanoi is also known to people as ‘Hanoi Hilton’ and ‘Maison Central’.
It housed political prisoners during French colonial times and American prisoners of war before Vietnam. This is a large colonial-style prison, most of which was demolished in the 1990s.
Tourists visiting "Hanoi Hilton" for the first time should be careful as they may experience feelings of sadness, disgust and anger. When visiting this terrible prison in Hanoi, you need to be somewhat prepared.
History of Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton)
Hoa Lo was originally built to be used as a prison under French rule. This prison was built by the French from 1886 to 1901 and was called "Maison Centrale". This space was used to hold political prisoners.
Hoa Lo prisoners lived in terrible conditions. According to official data, there were hundreds of prisoners, but in reality, 2,000 prisoners were crammed into a space that could hold up to 600 prisoners. Prisoners at Hoa Lo camp were often tied to the ground and beaten by guards. Executions took place with a portable guillotine. The Hoa Lo camp became a symbol of French oppression of Vietnam.
When the French were driven out of Hanoi in 1954, the Vietnamese also began using the prisons themselves. When the United States invaded, North Vietnam created special areas specifically for prisoners of war. American soldiers sarcastically called this prison the “Hanoi Hilton.” The most famous prisoner is former Republican senator and former presidential candidate John McCain.
The American prisoners were mostly Air Force pilots and they often came to Hoa Lo wounded, where their condition worsened. U.S. Senator John McCain was one such prisoner. He suffered injuries, including a broken knee, and was taken prisoner and taken to Hoa Lo. Prison authorities refused to treat him until it was discovered that his father was a high-ranking commander.
Towards the end of the war, prisoners of war were slowly released from Hoa Lo Prison. Although it continued to detain political rebels for 20 years, the prison was closed and largely demolished in 1990 to make way for the construction of high-rise buildings as Hanoi developed.
Hoa Lo Prison Museum
What you see now in the current Hoa Lo prison is actually only a small southern part of the entire prison complex. Today, the former prison serves as a museum where you can learn more about the prison and Vietnam's struggle for independence.
A walk through Hoa Lo Prison reveals more traces of France's past than its American past. The main content of the Hoa Lo Prison Museum focuses on the suffering of Vietnamese revolutionaries who were imprisoned and sometimes executed here during French rule in Vietnam in the early 20th century. In the stories of American prisoners of war, Vietnamese soldiers are shown as clean-shaven and as kind and good-treating men.
Therefore, most of the theme of the museum is dedicated to the inhumane conditions in which Vietnamese communists were detained during French rule. There is also a room showing how the prisoners were tied to each other, with descriptions of prison life, pictures of actual guillotines and beheaded Vietnamese.
Guillotine in Hoa Lo Prison, Hanoi
A small section of the museum commemorates the period during which American prisoners of war were held in prison. This area is presented as a comfortable barracks where prisoners lived comfortably. After the American pilot was released, the story was different. The story of the American version of the Hoa Lo camp differs from that of the actual prisoners who were imprisoned at the Hanoi Hilton.
John McCain's pilot suit worn in Hanoi
One of the most interesting pieces on display in this section is the pilot suit worn by John McCain when he was shot during the attack on the Yen Phu power plant.
Ticket price: 30.000 VND/adult
Business hours: 8:00 am - 17:00 daily
Address: Address: 1 Hoả Lò, Trần Hung Dao, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
Places of interest near Hanoi Prison
Hoa Lo Prison is located on the outskirts of Hanoi's Old Quarter and can be seen along with a visit to the small streets of the Old Quarter. From the old town, you can walk along Hoan Kiem Lake and turn right on P Bao Khanh Street to head to St. Joseph's Cathedral. From here it is a further 650m walk to the prison, which takes about 8 minutes.
About 600 meters from the prison is the Vietnamese Women's Museum, one of the best museums in Hanoi that you can visit. From here you can walk across the other side of the lake to the Old Quarter or take a detour to the Hanoi Opera House. The entire route is between 3 and 4.5 km. If the distance is too far, you can take a taxi or hire a cyclo for half a day.
Table of contents
Table of contents
Things to know about Hanoi Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton).
Hanoi
3 minutes
Mar 11, 2024
Hoa Lo Prison in Hanoi is also known to people as ‘Hanoi Hilton’ and ‘Maison Central’.
It housed political prisoners during French colonial times and American prisoners of war before Vietnam. This is a large colonial-style prison, most of which was demolished in the 1990s.
Tourists visiting "Hanoi Hilton" for the first time should be careful as they may experience feelings of sadness, disgust and anger. When visiting this terrible prison in Hanoi, you need to be somewhat prepared.
History of Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton)
Hoa Lo was originally built to be used as a prison under French rule. This prison was built by the French from 1886 to 1901 and was called "Maison Centrale". This space was used to hold political prisoners.
Hoa Lo prisoners lived in terrible conditions. According to official data, there were hundreds of prisoners, but in reality, 2,000 prisoners were crammed into a space that could hold up to 600 prisoners. Prisoners at Hoa Lo camp were often tied to the ground and beaten by guards. Executions took place with a portable guillotine. The Hoa Lo camp became a symbol of French oppression of Vietnam.
When the French were driven out of Hanoi in 1954, the Vietnamese also began using the prisons themselves. When the United States invaded, North Vietnam created special areas specifically for prisoners of war. American soldiers sarcastically called this prison the “Hanoi Hilton.” The most famous prisoner is former Republican senator and former presidential candidate John McCain.
The American prisoners were mostly Air Force pilots and they often came to Hoa Lo wounded, where their condition worsened. U.S. Senator John McCain was one such prisoner. He suffered injuries, including a broken knee, and was taken prisoner and taken to Hoa Lo. Prison authorities refused to treat him until it was discovered that his father was a high-ranking commander.
Towards the end of the war, prisoners of war were slowly released from Hoa Lo Prison. Although it continued to detain political rebels for 20 years, the prison was closed and largely demolished in 1990 to make way for the construction of high-rise buildings as Hanoi developed.
Hoa Lo Prison Museum
What you see now in the current Hoa Lo prison is actually only a small southern part of the entire prison complex. Today, the former prison serves as a museum where you can learn more about the prison and Vietnam's struggle for independence.
A walk through Hoa Lo Prison reveals more traces of France's past than its American past. The main content of the Hoa Lo Prison Museum focuses on the suffering of Vietnamese revolutionaries who were imprisoned and sometimes executed here during French rule in Vietnam in the early 20th century. In the stories of American prisoners of war, Vietnamese soldiers are shown as clean-shaven and as kind and good-treating men.
Therefore, most of the theme of the museum is dedicated to the inhumane conditions in which Vietnamese communists were detained during French rule. There is also a room showing how the prisoners were tied to each other, with descriptions of prison life, pictures of actual guillotines and beheaded Vietnamese.
Guillotine in Hoa Lo Prison, Hanoi
A small section of the museum commemorates the period during which American prisoners of war were held in prison. This area is presented as a comfortable barracks where prisoners lived comfortably. After the American pilot was released, the story was different. The story of the American version of the Hoa Lo camp differs from that of the actual prisoners who were imprisoned at the Hanoi Hilton.
John McCain's pilot suit worn in Hanoi
One of the most interesting pieces on display in this section is the pilot suit worn by John McCain when he was shot during the attack on the Yen Phu power plant.
Ticket price: 30.000 VND/adult
Business hours: 8:00 am - 17:00 daily
Address: Address: 1 Hoả Lò, Trần Hung Dao, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
Places of interest near Hanoi Prison
Hoa Lo Prison is located on the outskirts of Hanoi's Old Quarter and can be seen along with a visit to the small streets of the Old Quarter. From the old town, you can walk along Hoan Kiem Lake and turn right on P Bao Khanh Street to head to St. Joseph's Cathedral. From here it is a further 650m walk to the prison, which takes about 8 minutes.
About 600 meters from the prison is the Vietnamese Women's Museum, one of the best museums in Hanoi that you can visit. From here you can walk across the other side of the lake to the Old Quarter or take a detour to the Hanoi Opera House. The entire route is between 3 and 4.5 km. If the distance is too far, you can take a taxi or hire a cyclo for half a day.
Table of contents
Things to know about Hanoi Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton).
Hanoi
3 minutes
Mar 11, 2024
Hoa Lo Prison in Hanoi is also known to people as ‘Hanoi Hilton’ and ‘Maison Central’.
It housed political prisoners during French colonial times and American prisoners of war before Vietnam. This is a large colonial-style prison, most of which was demolished in the 1990s.
Tourists visiting "Hanoi Hilton" for the first time should be careful as they may experience feelings of sadness, disgust and anger. When visiting this terrible prison in Hanoi, you need to be somewhat prepared.
History of Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton)
Hoa Lo was originally built to be used as a prison under French rule. This prison was built by the French from 1886 to 1901 and was called "Maison Centrale". This space was used to hold political prisoners.
Hoa Lo prisoners lived in terrible conditions. According to official data, there were hundreds of prisoners, but in reality, 2,000 prisoners were crammed into a space that could hold up to 600 prisoners. Prisoners at Hoa Lo camp were often tied to the ground and beaten by guards. Executions took place with a portable guillotine. The Hoa Lo camp became a symbol of French oppression of Vietnam.
When the French were driven out of Hanoi in 1954, the Vietnamese also began using the prisons themselves. When the United States invaded, North Vietnam created special areas specifically for prisoners of war. American soldiers sarcastically called this prison the “Hanoi Hilton.” The most famous prisoner is former Republican senator and former presidential candidate John McCain.
The American prisoners were mostly Air Force pilots and they often came to Hoa Lo wounded, where their condition worsened. U.S. Senator John McCain was one such prisoner. He suffered injuries, including a broken knee, and was taken prisoner and taken to Hoa Lo. Prison authorities refused to treat him until it was discovered that his father was a high-ranking commander.
Towards the end of the war, prisoners of war were slowly released from Hoa Lo Prison. Although it continued to detain political rebels for 20 years, the prison was closed and largely demolished in 1990 to make way for the construction of high-rise buildings as Hanoi developed.
Hoa Lo Prison Museum
What you see now in the current Hoa Lo prison is actually only a small southern part of the entire prison complex. Today, the former prison serves as a museum where you can learn more about the prison and Vietnam's struggle for independence.
A walk through Hoa Lo Prison reveals more traces of France's past than its American past. The main content of the Hoa Lo Prison Museum focuses on the suffering of Vietnamese revolutionaries who were imprisoned and sometimes executed here during French rule in Vietnam in the early 20th century. In the stories of American prisoners of war, Vietnamese soldiers are shown as clean-shaven and as kind and good-treating men.
Therefore, most of the theme of the museum is dedicated to the inhumane conditions in which Vietnamese communists were detained during French rule. There is also a room showing how the prisoners were tied to each other, with descriptions of prison life, pictures of actual guillotines and beheaded Vietnamese.
Guillotine in Hoa Lo Prison, Hanoi
A small section of the museum commemorates the period during which American prisoners of war were held in prison. This area is presented as a comfortable barracks where prisoners lived comfortably. After the American pilot was released, the story was different. The story of the American version of the Hoa Lo camp differs from that of the actual prisoners who were imprisoned at the Hanoi Hilton.
John McCain's pilot suit worn in Hanoi
One of the most interesting pieces on display in this section is the pilot suit worn by John McCain when he was shot during the attack on the Yen Phu power plant.
Ticket price: 30.000 VND/adult
Business hours: 8:00 am - 17:00 daily
Address: Address: 1 Hoả Lò, Trần Hung Dao, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
Places of interest near Hanoi Prison
Hoa Lo Prison is located on the outskirts of Hanoi's Old Quarter and can be seen along with a visit to the small streets of the Old Quarter. From the old town, you can walk along Hoan Kiem Lake and turn right on P Bao Khanh Street to head to St. Joseph's Cathedral. From here it is a further 650m walk to the prison, which takes about 8 minutes.
About 600 meters from the prison is the Vietnamese Women's Museum, one of the best museums in Hanoi that you can visit. From here you can walk across the other side of the lake to the Old Quarter or take a detour to the Hanoi Opera House. The entire route is between 3 and 4.5 km. If the distance is too far, you can take a taxi or hire a cyclo for half a day.
Table of contents
Vietnam Insider.
Welcome to our Connect with Us page! We're thrilled to have you here and excited to connect with fellow Vietnam travel enthusiasts. Whether you have questions, suggestions, or simply want to share your own Vietnam travel experiences, we're all ears! Feel free to reach out to us through the contact form below or connect with us on our social media channels. Let's embark on this incredible journey together and explore the wonders of Vietnam!
Trending
Newsletter
Subscribe to our newsletter for a curated dose of design inspiration, practical tips, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
© 2024 Vietnam Insider.
vietnaminsidertips@gmail.com
Vietnam Insider.
Welcome to our Connect with Us page! We're thrilled to have you here and excited to connect with fellow Vietnam travel enthusiasts. Whether you have questions, suggestions, or simply want to share your own Vietnam travel experiences, we're all ears! Feel free to reach out to us through the contact form below or connect with us on our social media channels. Let's embark on this incredible journey together and explore the wonders of Vietnam!
Trending
Newsletter
Subscribe to our newsletter for a curated dose of design inspiration, practical tips, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
© 2024 Vietnam Insider.
vietnaminsidertips@gmail.com
Vietnam Insider.
Welcome to our Connect with Us page! We're thrilled to have you here and excited to connect with fellow Vietnam travel enthusiasts. Whether you have questions, suggestions, or simply want to share your own Vietnam travel experiences, we're all ears! Feel free to reach out to us through the contact form below or connect with us on our social media channels. Let's embark on this incredible journey together and explore the wonders of Vietnam!
Trending
Newsletter
Subscribe to our newsletter for a curated dose of design inspiration, practical tips, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
© 2024 Vietnam Insider.
vietnaminsidertips@gmail.com