Buzz
Every destination travelers set foot on is not just about beautiful and enticing spots, but also about preserving the historical imprints of the Vietnamese nation. Indeed, Phu Quoc is not only the largest Emerald Island of Vietnam but also serves as evidence of the historical years under the colonial regime, known as Phu Quoc Prison.
Historical relic of Phu Quoc prison (Photo collection)
Information about Phu Quoc Prison
A historical site increasingly attracts numerous domestic and international tourists for exploration and sightseeing. Unlike conventional museums, Phu Quoc Prison serves as a stark reminder of the atrocities committed by the colonial regime.
Image of Phu Quoc Prison (Photo collection)
Situated on Nguyen Van Cu Street, nestled on the southwest island of our nation within Kien Giang province. Accessible by motorcycle or car, travelers simply follow Tran Hung Dao Street and Phu Quoc Boulevard, then turn right onto Nguyen Van Cu. Continuing straight leads to the historical landmark of Phu Quoc Prison.
Phu Quoc Prison is a place that vividly portrays hundreds of torture methods (Photo collection)
Covering an area of approximately 500km2, Phu Quoc Prison depicts hundreds of torture methods inflicted upon our revolutionary soldiers by the French colonialists and American imperialists. It served as a detention center for communist soldiers, detaining around 40,000 prisoners.
Majestic view of the historic Phu Quoc Prison site (Photo collection)
Explore the Prison Together
Formerly built by the French to temporarily accommodate the Nationalist Party of China, Phu Quoc Prison was later renovated and improved. It consists of 14 numbered sections managed by three military battalions, numbered 7, 8, and 12.
This facility housed 3,000 prisoners and was divided into multiple smaller sections, each capable of holding around 900 inmates. Additionally, there was a section specifically designated for detaining officer-level prisoners.
Surrounding all the sections are multiple layers of thick barbed wire fences wrapped around sturdy poles.
Image of Phu Quoc Prison – earthly hell (Photo collection)
Keen observers will notice from the entrance that each section has a separate guard room for the section overseer. These rooms contain numerous work tools such as kitchen knives, hammers, or shovels.
Explore Phu Quoc Prison (Photo collection)
Each zone comprises individual rooms and aisles spaced approximately 5m apart, often devoid of fences but instead structured with iron frames, tin walls, and roofs. Only select areas feature isolated sections with zinc-wired fences, leaving a pathway approximately 0.8m wide.
Additionally, each zone houses interrogation rooms or solitary confinement cells, along with a kitchen designated for inmates to prepare their meals.
(Photo collection)
Hence, there are traces of numerous escape attempts: from planned enemy firearm raids during labor outside the prison grounds to daring night fence breaches resulting in bloodshed and scratches.
Even the use of tiny spoons for tunneling, despite consuming extensive time and yielding little success, failed to quench the resilient spirit and strong will of the soldiers enduring hardships within Phu Quoc prison.
Exhibition area showcasing well-preserved historical artifacts (Photo collection)
Enduring six years with profound losses, hundreds dead, and thousands injured, Phu Quoc prison remains a poignant destination evoking myriad emotions in visitors. Today, additional exhibition spaces both indoors and outdoors display a plethora of well-preserved historical artifacts, vividly recounting those bygone years.
Why hesitate? Pack your bags and head to Phu Quoc for a few days of relaxation and exploration, including a visit to Phu Quoc Prison. You'll surely find this destination intriguing and captivating. While in Phu Quoc, book your accommodation through VNTRIP.VN here.
