Hao Lo Prison - a walking experience of suffering past

 Hanoi - Today, I had the opportunity to visit the infamous Hoa Lo Prison, also known as the "Hanoi Hilton."  We rented the audio guide which was extremely useful in explaining the suffering of the Vietnamese political prisoners and their liberation.  As I entered the prison, I was immediately struck by the oppressive atmosphere and the haunting stories of those who had been imprisoned within its walls.

Lesley and I @ entrance to the prison

The prison was originally built by the French colonial government in the late 1800s and was used to imprison Vietnamese political dissidents. The conditions were appalling, with prisoners cramped together in small cells and subjected to torture and brutal treatment. The Vietnamese inmates were treated as subhuman and were subjected to forced labor and inhumane conditions.

Panorama of Prison

One of the most striking displays at the Hoa Lo Prison is the main gate, which is now on display for tourists. The gate was originally built by the French in 1896 and was the entrance to the prison. It was designed to strike fear into those who passed through it, with its thick iron bars and ominous spikes at the top.

Today, the gate serves as a symbol of the atrocities committed against Vietnamese political prisoners and is a powerful reminder of the suffering that occurred within the walls of the prison. Visitors to the prison can walk through the gate and imagine what it must have been like for prisoners who were forced to pass through it, knowing that they were about to endure unspeakable horrors.

Prisoners with one leg shackled by iron chain

As I walked through the prison, I saw the small cells where Vietnamese prisoners were held, with barely enough space to move or lie down. The torture devices used on prisoners were displayed, including metal leg irons. The stories of the suffering and courage of those imprisoned here were heart-wrenching.

Iron shackles

Another notable feature at Hoa Lo Prison is the almond tree, which stands in the courtyard of the prison. The tree has a significant meaning for the Vietnamese people and is a symbol of resilience and hope.  The almond tree soon became a symbol of hope for the Vietnamese political prisoners who were held at Hoa Lo Prison. It represented the resilience and determination of the Vietnamese people to survive in the face of oppression and hardship. Despite the difficult circumstances, the almond tree continued to thrive and grow, serving as a beacon of hope for those who were imprisoned within the walls of the prison.

The Almond Tree

During the Vietnam War, the prison was used by the North Vietnamese Army to hold American prisoners of war. However, the conditions for these prisoners were significantly better than those experienced by the Vietnamese political prisoners. American prisoners were given access to medical care, food, and even recreational activities such as basketball and volleyball. 

The monument was built in memory of the Vietnamese political prisoners who suffered and died within the walls of the prison during the French colonial period.

The monument is a simple but powerful structure, consisting of a stone pillar with the inscription "The Soul of the Vietnamese People" in both Vietnamese and French. The pillar is surrounded by a garden of blooming flowers and trees, providing a peaceful and reflective atmosphere.

It was a good afternoon spent at this prison, that world peace should always prevail and humans must learn to respect and treat each other with dignity.