Hoa Lo Prison

It's a historical place, a must-see place when you're in Hanoi. The staff was super friendly and helpful to introduce me to their services, the shows and other things. You can pay cash or transfer money to their accounts. After getting it, you should stop at the first table to let them stamp on your hand. The words mean you're inside that prison together. Along the way to different areas of the prison, you can listen to the main points of the historical things, people and places. It was a very interesting trip back to the past but also it made people feel sad about what happened during the war. At the end of the trip, you should stop at the bang tree to know its message to you and try the tea and milk tea made from bang leaves. The trees are historical and they experienced everything with the prisoners. If you want to see the night show, you should book it in advance. I recommend booking the show at least 2 months before your trip via their facebook page.

This was a moving experience and rich with history. The museum is well taken care of and easy to navigate. I definitely recommend getting an audio tour device, it added a lot of first hand accounts and details about each section of the museum. Keep the receipt! They want it back when you return the device.

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.

This is a historical bad place, the Hanoi Hilton amoung other names like Maison Central. The French built this prison originally in 1896 and kept the people of Vietnam in unbelievably bad conditions. It is now a museum. It is not a world-class museum but it is something strong in its message and well done. Very sobering to visit.

It was the first time I visited a historical site like this, and it was such an educative visit. I learned a lot about the prisoners’ lives, their unfathomably horrible living conditions, along with the prison’s history dating back from the French Colonialism to the 60s when the American was bombing the Northern Vietnam. There were also many historical specimens and photographs to see, which gave me chills. You should definitely check this place out when visiting Ha Noi.

The descriptions on the history of the place was enriching. There were plenty of staff guiding visitors around. The tickets are cheap, really gives the vibes of a prison.

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).