Hoa Lo Prison Museum

Alifia Talitha Nugroho★★★★★★★★★★5.03 months ago

I spent around 1.5 hours here fully immersed in the historical atmosphere. Although some rooms were under renovation during my visit, there was still plenty to explore. The museum provides a powerful and eye-opening look into Vietnamese history. It was inspiring to learn about the resilience and strength of the Vietnamese people. Audio guides are available for an additional fee, and some sections feature interactive videos with English subtitles. There is also a souvenir shop at the end of the exhibition route. A very meaningful and educational experience!

Mr. J★★★★★★★★★★5.04 months ago

We visited Hoa Lo Prison in Hanoi, and it was an interesting historical stop. The site is open daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and the ticket price was 50,000 VND per person. The ticket queue moved quickly on the weekday we went, and the staff informed us right away that part of the prison was under renovation. Around 30% of the complex was closed, with replacement posters in some sections, but we chose to enter anyway. We didn’t rent the audio guide, but there were a moderate number of visitors, and several local guides were explaining the exhibits to their groups. We ended up overhearing some useful information as we walked through, which made it easy to follow along. The prison’s history is powerful and sobering. Originally built by the French colonial government to detain Vietnamese political prisoners, it later held American POWs during the Vietnam War. The exhibits illustrate both periods, giving a clear sense of how life was for prisoners during those difficult times. For convenience, toilets are available in the outdoor central area and also near the merchandise shop by the exit gate. Overall, it was a meaningful and educational visit—especially for those interested in Vietnam’s history. Thank you — cảm ơn!

adam dimelow★★★★★★★★★★4.02 weeks ago

Certainly a very interesting and exposing place. learning and seeing the brutality of the war on the Vietnamese people was eye opening, especially being in the exact place it happened. It’s amazing that the Vietnamese had any mercy to give the POWs after what they were subjected to. I only wish more was written in English so I could read more of the descriptions, I would recommend the English recorded tour if you want a deep dive into everything.

Tanya Stone★★★★★★★★★★5.0a month ago

I visited the Hoa Lo Prison Relic, also known as the “Hanoi Hilton”, a couple of days ago and found it to be a very somber yet eye-opening experience. The museum covers a deep and tragic history connected to both the French colonial period and the Vietnam/US War. You can hire an audio headset that guides you through the museum in your own language, although I chose to explore on my own and read more about the history online afterwards. The exhibits are confronting and educational, giving a powerful insight into what prisoners experienced there. It was quite crowded during my visit, which made it difficult at times to read some of the information boards or see the TV screens clearly. Overall though, it is a very worthwhile place to visit in Hanoi — emotional, tragic, and historically important.

Karel★★★★★★★★★★5.0a month ago

A really great museum !Definitely worth visiting. The story it tells is difficult and emotional, but it’s an important part of Vietnam’s history that deserves to be understood. The exhibits are well presented and easy to follow, making complex events clear and impactful. Highly recommended.