Hỏa Lò Prison – Historical Landmark Attracting Many Visitors to Hanoi

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One of the can't-miss attractions in Hanoi is Hỏa Lò Prison – a place where tourists are reminded of the location once known as the 'hell on earth' with too much suffering.

Hỏa Lò Prison – Historical Landmark Attracting Many Visitors to Hanoi

Hỏa Lò Prison, alternatively known as Hoa Lo Gaol, formerly named Maison Centrale in French, meaning Central House of Detention, also known as the Hanoi Hilton. Hỏa Lò Prison is located in an area bordered by four streets, Hỏa Lò, Hai Bà Trưng, Quán Sứ, and Thợ Nhuộm, with the exact address being 1 Hỏa Lò Street, Trần Hưng Đạo Ward, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi.

The prison covers a very large and sturdy area of 12,000 square meters. At that time, the prison was praised as the most luxurious prison in Indochina. Until now, the area after being invested in and planned to become a historical relic site left is 2,434 square meters.

The memorial area of Hỏa Lò Prison stipulates ticket prices as follows:

– Individuals aged 15 and above: 30,000 VND per person.

– Students, seniors aged 60 and above, individuals under social policies: 15,000 VND per person.

– Individuals under 15 years old, persons with disabilities, revolutionary contributors are exempted from charges.

Hỏa Lò Prison is divided into four separate zones: A, B, C, D, among which:

– Zones A and B are for detainees under investigation, minor offenses, or violations of prison regulations.

– Zone C is for French or foreign detainees.

– Zone D is designated for inmates convicted of serious crimes awaiting execution.

Here, visitors will explore many surprising aspects of the prison, considered the most notorious and terrifying in the world. Hỏa Lò Prison, dubbed the 'hell on earth,' housed approximately 500 prisoners with a design reminiscent of a penitentiary establishment. Throughout its existence, the prison has held countless revolutionaries and Vietnamese patriots.

At Hỏa Lò Prison, visitors can also tour the famous guillotine. The guillotine consists of two tall wooden columns, about 4 meters high, with a sharp blade held aloft. Below are two half-moon-shaped boards joined together to hold the prisoner's head, with an iron box in front to catch the severed head, and next to it, a woven bamboo basket containing the body.

Hỏa Lò Prison also features majestic banyan trees in the courtyard, with a lifespan of 100 years. These banyan trees are believed to have been brought and planted by revolutionary soldiers from wild banyan trees near the courthouse. Thanks to these banyan trees, the inmates had a place to rest and cool off. Furthermore, banyan seeds and leaves were used as precious medicines to heal wounds or treat illnesses and weaknesses. The dry banyan branches were also utilized as pen handles with the tip made from a Tigon flower bud.