Phu Quoc Prison - A Symbol of National Resilience

Phu Quoc Prison, located on Phu Quoc Island, was utilized during anti-colonial and imperialist struggles. It housed political prisoners and individuals deemed threats to the government of South Vietnam at that time.

Phu Quoc Prison - A Monument of Historical Significance

Phu Quoc Prison is renowned for its harsh conditions and history of human rights violations, including torture, executions, and forced labor, both physical and psychological. Hence, it earned the moniker 'hell on earth'. After Vietnam gained independence, the prison was abandoned and fell into disrepair.

In recent years, the prison has become a prominent site and partially restored as a museum, ensuring that people and tourists alike remember the atrocious actions of the U.S.-backed regime. Visitors can witness the remaining parts of the prison, as well as exhibitions detailing its history and the stories of its prisoners.

In less than 6 years, Phu Quoc Prison held 40,000 prisoners, primarily officers and soldiers from various armed forces, along with civilians. The peak occupancy in the cells reached 120-180 individuals. Approximately 4,000 prisoners were killed, and tens of thousands were left injured or disabled.

Covering an area of 400 hectares, with nearly 500 buildings, divided into 12 zones, including 2 twin zones and 10 zones (each zone has 4 subzones called zones A, B, C, D), with each subzone spaced 100m apart. Each subzone is 150m long, 50m wide, comprising 11 buildings including 09 prison rooms, each measuring 20m x 5m.

Each subzone is equipped with tiger cages, and 4 subzones have separate prison houses. The prison buildings are constructed of corrugated iron, with cement-coated floors to prevent prisoners from digging tunnels to escape. Surrounding each subzone are 4 fixed watchtowers and 10 mobile watchtowers.

The entire compound is surrounded by thick barbed wire; the surrounding area is cleared to create an isolated belt from the outside. Nevertheless, the prisoners have successfully organized 45 escape attempts in various forms: climbing over fences, digging underground tunnels, attacking accompanying soldiers during forced labor breaks...

Currently, the Phu Quoc Prison relic only retains some items such as: the gate of the 8th guard company; prisoner cemetery; ruins of the Kien Van Church; supplementary exhibition area; Zone B2 restored with an area of 17,693 square meters; Martyrs Memorial on Sim Hill; gate of the 7th guard company; gate and command post of the prison camp.

In general, Phu Quoc Prison is a historical landmark not to be missed when visiting the pearl island. The traces here remind people of the unforgettable history of the national defense war, of a period of hardship but also glory for the Vietnamese nation.

According to Mytour

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Reference: Travel Guide by Mytour