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Hoa Lo Prison was built by the French in 1866 right in the middle of Hanoi, Vietnam, to hold Vietnamese political prisoners, and was also later used by the North Vietnamese to hold American POW’s during the Vietnam War. Only a small part of the prison now remains, and it stands as an interesting museum that focuses on the sufferings of the Vietnamese prisoners who were held there.
A wall at Hoa Lo Prison – Broken glass covers the top
A visit to Hoa Lo Prison will not be a happy one. Walking through the dim lit rooms in the prison, standing inside tiny cells and viewing the shackles and torture devices on display is fairly creepy, and you will probably leave the place feeling very sombre.
Inside Hoa Lo Prison Museum
A cell block hallway
Looking through the tiny window in a cell door
The museum really is quite good, with displays and information that give you an insight into the history of the prison and the conditions in which the prisoners had to live in.
Models of shackled prisoners
The Vietnamese political prisoners basically lived in shackles that prevented them from moving. Torture was common and those sentenced to death were given to the guillotine. Their heads were put on display in the streets of Hanoi to warn anyone who may be thinking of demonstrating against the French.
Shackled prisoners
The guillotine
Part of an old sewer that was used during an escape from the prison
Most of the museum seems to focus on French brutality towards the Vietnamese, however the small section on the American POW’s is very different. This part simply shows photos of the American prisoners smiling and being well looked after, with no mention of torture or interrogation. I got the feeling that this was fairly whitewashed, however it was still interesting to learn about this part of the history of the prison, whether it is all told or not.
Artwork depicting a prison scene during French control
When you’re in Hanoi, definitely take some time to visit Hoa Lo Prison to learn about some of the country’s history. It is well worth checking out.
Holy! That image you took through the prison bars is spooky as hell! Stomach turning in some ways. Nice piece.
I liked how that one turned out. Looks very ghostly.
Ive visited this prison twice and find its depiction of the treatment of americans held there very one sided. What did you think?
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Yes, I felt the same way, Jennifer. It was very whitewashed. Still an interesting place to visit though.
[…] in the early 1900’s, Hoa Lo Prison is where the French kept the Vietnamese political prisoners, and then was later used by the North […]
Hi Dean – as a new reader of your blog I though I’d just hop on and leave a quick comment here to say I’ve been reading a few posts and enjoying them very much. Cheers! Shaun
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Hi Shaun. That’s so much for the comment. I’m pleased that you are enjoying the blog and I hope that you find some of the posts inspiring. Cheers!
They actually had a guillotine… I didn’t expect that, but now I feel like I should have, given the French control and everything. You learn something every day. Thanks for sharing this!
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I wasn’t expecting to see a guillotine either, but it is certainly there.