Hoa Lo Prison is one of the must-see historical attractions when traveling to Hanoi to learn more about Vietnam’s fascinating history.
Hoa Lo Prison is a historic site built during the period of French colonization for the French in Indochina to keep political prisoners. Later, during the Vietnam War, it was used by North Vietnam for American prisoners. Since then, the prison has had another ironic name, “Hanoi Hilton”.
The name Hoa Lo can be translated as “fiery furnace” or even “hell hole”, indicating that it is a harsh place. Part of the prison was demolished in the 1990s. Part has been preserved and transformed into a historic site. Located in the French Quarter of Hanoi, the place is a red address for teaching patriotism and national pride. It attracts national and international tourists.
History of Hoa Lo Prison
- During the French era
Hoa Lo Prison was built between 1986 and 1901 by the French under the name “Maison Centrale”. Along with Son La Prison and Con Dao Prison, Hoa Lo Prison are the three wildest prisons in Vietnam. A large number of Vietnamese patriotic and revolutionary fighters were detained and tortured physically and mentally until they died.
The prison was designed for 500 people, but the actual number is more than 2,000. Additionally, they had to suffer from terrible conditions, such as poor food and hygiene.
Despite the savagely cruel infliction, the detained revolutionaries still believed in the victory of the Communist Party and were ready to fight for it. They transformed the prison into a “school” to propagate the ideology. Many of the prisoners were leaders of the Vietnamese revolution. Later, after the Geneva Accords of 1954, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam took control of the prison.
- In the Vietnam War
From 1964 to 1973, after the Vietnamese government came to power, Hoa Lo Prison was used to capture prisoners of war. Many pilots shot down during their bombing raids against North Vietnam were sent there.
Prisoners from this era included Douglas Peter Peterson – the first US ambassador to Vietnam, and John McCain, a US senator. During this period, American prisoners of war sarcastically nicknamed him the “Hanoi Hilton“
The location was still in use in the late 1970s and early 1980s after the release of American prisoners. In the 1990s it was demolished. Only part of the prison is preserved as a museum, mainly displaying the French colonial period.
Prison architecture and prisoners’ quarters
Hoa Lo Prison had a total of 12,000 m2, with a construction area of approximately 10,000 m2. Today, only 2,500 m2 are preserved.
The prison is designed to be unbreakable with a solid structure of high quality materials. The surrounding stone walls are 4 meters high and 0.5 meters thick, reinforced with high-tension wires to prevent the prisoner from escaping.
The complex contains dark corridors and rooms. With the concrete structure, overcrowded cells, lack of air and dark cells with aggressive prison guards have made Hoa Lo one of the scariest places in Southeast Asia.
All door and lock systems are imported from France.
Ward for prisoners
The women’s quarters were approximately 270 m2, divided into four smaller ones. In addition, there was a place for prisoners with their babies. The area was built to keep a maximum of 100 prisoners; in reality there were around 300 people.
Besides the small square footage for so many people, there was a lack of running water, adequate food and hygienic conditions. Life here was extremely horrible, resulting in many deaths of patriotic women.
Neighborhood for prisoners with babies
Another inhumane corner of the prison is where women were held with their babies. Babies were not provided with food but from their mothers’ meager rations. The terrible living conditions have led to malnutrition, disease, disability and even death of young babies.
Ward for prisoners
Area E has two rows where male political prisoners were handcuffed in a seated position. At one end of the area there are open latrines. Not only suffering from discomfort and poor sanitary conditions, prisoners were also still the targets of violent actions by guards on a daily basis.
Cachot district
One of the scariest areas of Hoa Lo Prison is the cache. This dark prison is known as the hellhole of hell because prisoners were kept isolated in a narrow, dark space for a minimum of 15 hours to a maximum of 30 days. They were forced to eat, sleep and defecate in the same place.
Their ankles were not just chained to the ground but on a 45-degree downward slope. They couldn’t eat normally, couldn’t lie down to sleep, and generally had no feeling in their arms and legs. After being released from there, the prisoners became blind, deaf, lame and edematous.
Cells for prisoners sentenced to death
Death row inmates were usually held in a special zone for 3 to 4 days to 3 months before their execution. To get there, you have to go through 3 layers of iron doors. The cells were dark and lacked air, so the prisoners had to do everything in this row.
How to get to Hoa Lo Prison
There are many ways to get to this famous attraction, such as by taxi, bus, motorbike and on foot.
By taxi
From Hanoi city center, you can call a taxi to take you to Hoa Lo Prison. Here are some tips. Ask the receptionist to book a taxi for you rather than taking one outside to avoid scams and overpayments.
By car
Taking a car is a good option if you want to travel by car. The price of around €4 is ideal for getting around within the city.
By public bus
The public bus costs 15,000 VND per person. Some bus lines have stops around Hoa Lo Hilton, such as 02, 09, 23, 32, 34 and 38.
Walk
Walking or traveling by bike is also a good option when you are not too tired and want to combine physical training with exploring the city. There are many places offering bicycles for rent in the Old Quarter.
Although the way to get there is not that complicated, bring a map or enable internet for your Google map just in case. You can ask the locals in any situation, and they are always happy to help you.
Things to do at Hoa Lo Prison
1. Day visits
The Museum is divided into several sections according to different historical periods. The main entrance still retains its original French name, “Maison Centrale”. As you enter the entrance you will come to the section about the area that was once a village before the French decided to build the prison.
The following sections are images of French colonial brutality. There are several mannequins of horrible iron chains and some small isolated cells. Then you go out and walk along the courtyard. You can take a look at several graphic reliefs of the terrible prison life on its wall.
In addition, there is an exhibition of two objects belonging to the old prison: small sections of the sewer through which prisoners escaped in 1945 and 1951. Additionally, in a large room downstairs, it is the guillotine – the instrument of execution. After this artifact, these are the cells in which those condemned to death stayed.
The following sections deal with the American prisoners of war period . There are images and artifacts of many notable events, such as the destruction of American planes.
2. Night visit
Besides the daytime tour, you can choose the night tour, horror and heroes tour to experience Hoa Lo Prison. The tour attracts domestic and international tourists who want to learn more about its horrific history and the fighting spirit of Vietnamese soldiers.
The tour is an immersive experience from the main gate that you will never forget. Before starting the tour, you will be provided with a headset so you can easily follow the instructions. The journey takes you back in time to visit the dark cells, the guillotine and the separate quarters for men and women.
The 45-minute nighttime tour gives visitors emotional sensations that the daytime cannot offer. It’s like a roller coaster of emotions: terrifying the crucial French colonial prison, admiring the spirit and sacrifice of the prisoners, and being proud of the unyielding spirit of the nation.
The night tour is available every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7 p.m. for 100,000 VND.
Booklet and Guide audio
Below is the table of services and prices:
| Guide booklet | Audio guide | |
| Price | 20,000 VND | 100,000 VND |
Prices in the table above are subject to change depending on Hoa Lo Prison policy or exchange rate.
Information (address, prices and opening hours)
- Address: 1 Hoa Lo Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
- Opening hours: 8am – 5pm daily, including Tet and national events; lunch break from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Entrance ticket price
Adult (Vietnamese and foreigners): 30,000 VND
Children under 15: free
