Hoa Lo Prison

One of the best things I have done! Highly recommend for those visiting Hanoi. The place is highly maintained and there were not that much people visiting when we went. The whole experience was very informative and immersive. Will definitely visit again when we come back to Vietnam!

Hoa Lo Prison – A Place of Profound Historical Significance Hoa Lo Prison, often referred to as the “Hanoi Hilton” during the Vietnam War, holds undeniable historical importance. A visit here offers a sobering and thought-provoking look into Vietnam’s tumultuous past, spanning from its colonial struggles against the French to the Vietnam War. However, the quality of the experience largely depends on how you choose to engage with the museum. To truly appreciate the depth of this site, I strongly recommend using the audio guide. It allows you to explore the exhibits at your own pace, immersing yourself in the narratives of those who lived, fought, and suffered here. The stories of the Vietnamese revolutionaries who endured brutal conditions under French colonial rule and the American POWs held during the war are presented with a balance of emotional resonance and factual depth. The audio guide adds nuance to the exhibits, enriching your understanding of the prison’s dual role as a symbol of resilience and propaganda. That said, the experience can be diminished by large tourist groups with guides. The confined nature of the former cells and hallways becomes overwhelming when crowded, and the noise from these groups can disrupt the solemn atmosphere that this site deserves. For this reason, I recommend planning your visit during off-peak hours or using noise-canceling headphones to stay immersed in the experience. The museum itself is well-curated, with artifacts such as letters, photographs, and personal items that humanize the historical accounts. The juxtaposition of the harrowing French colonial period and the more politically complex Vietnam War era invites visitors to reflect on the layers of history embedded within this site. While Hoa Lo Prison may not offer the grandeur of larger historical sites, its emotional and intellectual weight makes it a must-visit for those interested in understanding Vietnam’s history. Approach it with curiosity, sensitivity, and a willingness to delve into the difficult realities of the past, and you’ll find it to be a deeply rewarding experience.

It was okay. Tickets are not expensive so worth a visit if you’re interested, but nothing amazing (in terms of a ‘museum’ experience). The stories of the political prisoners is very interesting and they do have English translations for important things. I didn’t get the audio guide but in hindsight I think it could have made the experience better. Although it is 3x entry price (150k).

Very interesting place to visit and learn about the war history and tour the cells where prisoners were kept. Recommended to get tickets on site and rent the audio earphones at a very affordable price for explanation of each area you visit. It’s totally worth the money and makes the tour meaningful.

Hoa Lo Prison is a deeply moving historical site that highlights Vietnam’s incredible resilience and courage in the face of hardship. Walking through the exhibits made me even prouder to be Vietnamese, honoring the sacrifices of those who fought for our independence. A must-visit for anyone seeking to understand our nation’s strength and spirit.

Ensure that you get the audio guide. The first part of the visit discusses the Vietnamese and their fight to expel the Mongols ( today's Chinese), next comes the fight to expel the French imperialist. The French are the original builders of this prison to incarcerate the "resistance fighters". During World War 2 the Japanese invaded and controlled Vietnam. At the end of WW2 the Japanese were removed and in 1954 the "resistance" led by Ho Chi Minh finally expelled the French. Now comes the American Vietnam War, reasonably covered . John Mc Cain's capture, the capture of other American pilots is described emphasizing the humane treatment that they received. But, one leaves with a sense of guilt for what we (US) wrought on these people.

Great experience here and learned a lot of history. A lot more than I bargained for. This is where the famous US senator John McCain was held after he was shot down during the war. Worth a stop, won't take long to go through and see what it was like.

A very historical place to visit. Lots of inspiring stories on colonial occupation. A must visit for people visiting Vietnam for the first time to get a sense of history of the country.

One of the best things I have done! Highly recommend for those visiting Hanoi. The place is highly maintained and there were not that much people visiting when we went. The whole experience was very informative and immersive. Will definitely visit again when we come back to Vietnam!

Hoa Lo Prison – A Place of Profound Historical Significance Hoa Lo Prison, often referred to as the “Hanoi Hilton” during the Vietnam War, holds undeniable historical importance. A visit here offers a sobering and thought-provoking look into Vietnam’s tumultuous past, spanning from its colonial struggles against the French to the Vietnam War. However, the quality of the experience largely depends on how you choose to engage with the museum. To truly appreciate the depth of this site, I strongly recommend using the audio guide. It allows you to explore the exhibits at your own pace, immersing yourself in the narratives of those who lived, fought, and suffered here. The stories of the Vietnamese revolutionaries who endured brutal conditions under French colonial rule and the American POWs held during the war are presented with a balance of emotional resonance and factual depth. The audio guide adds nuance to the exhibits, enriching your understanding of the prison’s dual role as a symbol of resilience and propaganda. That said, the experience can be diminished by large tourist groups with guides. The confined nature of the former cells and hallways becomes overwhelming when crowded, and the noise from these groups can disrupt the solemn atmosphere that this site deserves. For this reason, I recommend planning your visit during off-peak hours or using noise-canceling headphones to stay immersed in the experience. The museum itself is well-curated, with artifacts such as letters, photographs, and personal items that humanize the historical accounts. The juxtaposition of the harrowing French colonial period and the more politically complex Vietnam War era invites visitors to reflect on the layers of history embedded within this site. While Hoa Lo Prison may not offer the grandeur of larger historical sites, its emotional and intellectual weight makes it a must-visit for those interested in understanding Vietnam’s history. Approach it with curiosity, sensitivity, and a willingness to delve into the difficult realities of the past, and you’ll find it to be a deeply rewarding experience.

It was okay. Tickets are not expensive so worth a visit if you’re interested, but nothing amazing (in terms of a ‘museum’ experience). The stories of the political prisoners is very interesting and they do have English translations for important things. I didn’t get the audio guide but in hindsight I think it could have made the experience better. Although it is 3x entry price (150k).

Very interesting place to visit and learn about the war history and tour the cells where prisoners were kept. Recommended to get tickets on site and rent the audio earphones at a very affordable price for explanation of each area you visit. It’s totally worth the money and makes the tour meaningful.

Hoa Lo Prison is a deeply moving historical site that highlights Vietnam’s incredible resilience and courage in the face of hardship. Walking through the exhibits made me even prouder to be Vietnamese, honoring the sacrifices of those who fought for our independence. A must-visit for anyone seeking to understand our nation’s strength and spirit.

Ensure that you get the audio guide. The first part of the visit discusses the Vietnamese and their fight to expel the Mongols ( today's Chinese), next comes the fight to expel the French imperialist. The French are the original builders of this prison to incarcerate the "resistance fighters". During World War 2 the Japanese invaded and controlled Vietnam. At the end of WW2 the Japanese were removed and in 1954 the "resistance" led by Ho Chi Minh finally expelled the French. Now comes the American Vietnam War, reasonably covered . John Mc Cain's capture, the capture of other American pilots is described emphasizing the humane treatment that they received. But, one leaves with a sense of guilt for what we (US) wrought on these people.

Great experience here and learned a lot of history. A lot more than I bargained for. This is where the famous US senator John McCain was held after he was shot down during the war. Worth a stop, won't take long to go through and see what it was like.

A very historical place to visit. Lots of inspiring stories on colonial occupation. A must visit for people visiting Vietnam for the first time to get a sense of history of the country.