ExperiencesCity & CultureExplore Hoa Lo prison - one of the 10 scariest prisons in the world
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City & Culture

Explore Hoa Lo prison - one of the 10 scariest prisons in the world

Translated by Bing
Hoa Lo Prison (French name: Maison Centrale), is a historical prison located right in the center of Hanoi and is one of the historical sites you must visit when visiting Hanoi.

Hoa Lo relic was built by the French in 1896 and used to be a place to hold thousands of Vietnamese soldiers and revolutionary activists. The prison's original design was to hold 450 people, but in reality it holds up to 2000 people.


Hoa Lo Prison is a relic filled with historical events and a haunting past that makes many people curious to explore. The programs here are fascinating, making this historic site one of the most attractive destinations in Hanoi. Here, you will:



Witness the best prison in Indochina with your own eyes


Hoa Lo Prison has a total area of up to 12,000m2, becoming the largest prison in Indochina in ancient times. This is the central prison of both Central and Northern countries, in ancient times it was also known as the Hanoi Prison. Surrounding the prison is a solid stone wall 4 meters high and 0.5 meters thick, which is attached with a piece of bottle and high-voltage electricity to prevent prisoners from escaping.


Until later, Hoa Lo was planned to be only 2,434m2. You will be able to admire the remnants of the most fortified prison in history, which was a nightmare for political prisoners in the past.



Learn the horrific torture tools


With the nature of a prison, a legal house, a correctional institution, Hoa Lo prison is equipped by the French colonialists with very advanced tools for the most severe and dangerous punishments for prisoners, especially prisoners who are Vietnamese patriotic and revolutionary soldiers. Coming to Hoa Lo, you will have to shudder at the terrible torture equipment that is still preserved today, including the infamous guillotine that made Hoa Lo one of the 10 most feared prisons in the world.


Attend exhibitions


Not only is it a famous historical attraction, now Hoa Lo prison is also a place to organize exhibitions and exhibitions with many attractive and diverse themes and topics. Not only stopping at important historical events, Hoa Lo prison also organizes many diverse exhibitions in content and forms related to events in today's social life, spreading a strong national spirit to the younger generation.



Experience fascinating night tours


The tour has narration and limited participants per night, combined with the sound, lighting and ingenious acting of the actors, giving visitors an extremely realistic view of the heroic war days of the soldiers to bring peace. democracy of Vietnam.


Buy a few souvenirs


Different from the mass and boring souvenirs at other attractions, visiting Hoa Lo prison, you must definitely bring back pens, bookclips or cute tote bags. This is also a practical job to help you contribute to maintaining, remodeling and preserving the relic for many generations to come.



Additional Information


  • Address: 1 Hoa Lo, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
  • Reference ticket price: 30,000 VND/person (there are discounts for students, the elderly, people with disabilities and meritorious services to the revolution...)
  • Opening Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily.
  • If you want to see the exhibition and display, you should refer to the schedule before coming to the website and facebook of the monument.
  • Weekend night tour, starting from 19h and must be booked in advance.
  • You should rent a phone to listen to the narration and experience here.



Regulatory Compliance


  • When visiting, absolutely do not bring explosives or explosives, and the luggage must be deposited in the right place.
  • Absolutely do not smoke and move artifacts in the relic area.
  • Vehicles must be parked in the right place.
  • Only incense and flowers are allowed to be placed at the memorial area.
  • Do not throw garbage indiscriminately.


Migo Synthesis

Photo: Fanpge Hoa Lo Prison

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