Hoa Lo Prison Hanoi: Explore the vestige of a period of hardship in Vietnam

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Hoa Lo Prison was considered to be a “Hell on Earth” (Source: Collected)

Hoa Lo Prison gives tourists the opportunity to learn about the war crimes of the French in the past. This relic site is the ideal place for those who want to know the heroic history of Vietnam and show respect to the brave Vietnamese soldiers.

1. About Hoa Lo Prison Hanoi Vietnam

• Location: No. 1, Hoa Lo Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Hoa Lo Prison was built in 1896 by the French under the name “Maison Centrale”, which was used for detaining political prisoners. Here, prisoners had to live in terrible conditions. It was reported that there were 2000 prisoners crammed into a space that was intended for up to 600 people. In addition to the bad living conditions, prisoners were also chained to the ground and beaten by the guards, which was also the reason why this prison was regarded as a hell on earth.

• Overview about Hoa Lo Prison:

With an area of more than 12,000 square meters, Hoa Lo Prison consisted of:

• A guard house
• An infirmary
• Seven blocks to detain prisoners
• A workshop for making iron, textiles, and leather products
• Four cells to detain high-profile prisoners

The prison was specifically constructed with the aim of preventing prisoners from escaping. Hence, it is surrounded by a 4-meter tall fortified stone wall with high voltage electrical wires. Watchtowers were arranged at every corner. The French really put their mind into constructing this prison, which can be seen due to the fact that all the parts like iron doors and lock systems were high-quality equipment transported from France.

Hoa Lo Prison showed the bravery and strength of Vietnamese soldiers (Source: Collected)

2. How to get to Hoa Lo Prison relic?

Hoa Lo Prison is located in the center of Hanoi, which makes it easily accessible. You can choose to come here by bus, motorbike, taxi, or walking.

• Bus: Buses number 02, 09, 23, and 34 have stops around this prison. The bus fare is very affordable, which is only 7,000 VND.
• Taxi: If you stay at a hotel in Hanoi, you can simply ask for a taxi number from the receptionist.
• Motorbike: If you are not used to riding a motorbike yourself, booking a Grab ride is a good choice.
• Walking: Walking around to enjoy the vibe in Hanoi is such a good way to explore the city. Remember to check the map in advance so as not to get lost. In case you are, the locals here would be glad to help.

Recently, Hoa Lo Prison Hanoi has become a popular spot for young people for a weekend getaway (Source: Collected)

3. What are the highlights inside Hoa Lo Prison?

Today, only 2,500 square meters of the prison’s area are preserved and used for displaying objects like a museum, such as:

3.1. The giant guillotine

This machine includes wooden columns of 2 to 4 meters high, with a large blade held by latches and 2 semicircular pieces of boards combined below to behead the prisoners. The falling force of the guillotine blade is equivalent to 60 kilograms. Usually, after executing the prisoners, their heads would be displayed to the public in crowded areas.

This giant guillotine made Hoa Lo Prison one of the top 10 most notorious prisons in the world (Source: Collected)

3.2. The dungeon

The dungeon, also known as the Cachot, was used to imprison people who violated the prison’s rules. All basic activities like eating, sleeping, and urinating had to be done in the same space. This scary place isolated prisoners from the light, as they chained all the time. They were even fed molded food. After a long time being detained in such conditions, the prisoners would suffer from diseases, body swelling, infection, and lack of light and oxygen.

Prisoners were shackled and forced to do all basic activities in the dungeon (Source: Collected)

3.3. The tropical almond trees

The only positive highlight in Hoa Lo Prison probably was the tropical almond trees in the courtyard. Those trees were planted by communist soldiers. While in jail, prisoners were allowed to be in the yard for a short time, and they often gathered under the tree to exchange ideas and thoughts. Accordingly, the tree had played an important role in improving the prisoners’ mental health after they had to endure many harsh punishments.

The tropical almond tree leaves were used to make a secret mailbox (Source: Collected)

4. The essential things to know before taking Hoa Lo Prison tour

• Hoa Lo Prison opening hours: every day from 8 AM – 5 PM.

Hoa Lo Prison museum also holds a night tour every weekend, which will give tourists an emotional experience thanks to the lighting and sound effects. It will help tourists understand what Vietnamese patriots had to endure in the prison.

• Entrance fee: Hoa Lo Prison entry fee is very reasonable, at only 30,000 VND

Also, there are some instructions that tourists need to follow:

• Heavy luggage should be left at the counter
• No smoking
• No touching or moving the objects in the prison
• No littering
• Wear formal non-revealing clothes (no short skirts or tank tops)

Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, is famous for a long list of ancient relic sites in addition to Hoa Lo Prison that you should take time to visit. Among them, one of the most tourist-attracting places that should be mentioned is Hanoi Old Quarter. This area allures tourists with its ancient looks and the cultural heritage imprinted on each street. You should also pay a visit to Thang Long Citadel, a historical symbol of Hanoi, and Hoan Kiem Lake, one of the largest lakes in Vietnam. You can come to these sites at any time of the year to feel the ancient and peaceful vibe of Hanoi.

Enjoy Hanoi at its best by visiting Hoan Kiem Lake and immersing yourself in the tranquil and peaceful scenery (Source: Collected)

To continue your Hanoi travel journey, it is recommended that you visit VinKE & Vinpearl Aquarium Times City to explore another side of Hanoi – its modern development.

Vinpearl Aquarium has been listed as one of the most advanced aquarium systems in Vietnam. Here, you can explore the wonderful underwater world with more than 30,000 freshwater and saltwater marine specimens.

Explore the amazing ocean world at Vinpearl Aquarium Times City

Meanwhile, VinKE Times City is a large playground with an area of nearly 4,000 square meters. Here, your kids can play many entertaining job-simulation games and explore their own future aspirations.

VinKE Times City is a perfect spot to educate and have fun with your kids

>>> Book tickets of VinKE & Vinpearl Aquarium to have the best educational and entertainment experiences with your family!

Hoa Lo Prison is definitely a must-see destination for tourists on their trip to Hanoi. Here, you can totally feel the patriotism and fighting spirit of Vietnamese soldiers when they were in prison long ago. Spend some time on your next trip to visit this phenomenal place to learn about the heroic past and the indomitable spirit of Vietnamese people.