Hỏa Lò Prison
Hỏa Lò · 하노이
prison in Hanoi used for political prisoners in colonial times and for prisoners of war during the Vietnam war.
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Hỏa Lò Prison1:33
Welcome to Hỏa Lò Prison, a site that carries a heavy and complex weight in the history of Hanoi. Known by the French as 'Maison Centrale' (The Central House) and later ironically dubbed the 'Hanoi Hilton' by American POWs, this…
Listen in the app2Phụ Khánh Village and the Main Gate1:11
Before it was a site of suffering, this ground was the home of Phụ Khánh village, a community of ceramic artisans who lived between three ancient temples. The name 'Hỏa Lò' refers to the stoves they made, which kept the village…
Listen in the app3The Mass Detention Cells (Cell E)1:18
Stepping into Cell E, you enter a long, narrow room that once held 40 to 50 male prisoners, though during peak periods of political unrest, this number would double or triple [77-79]. The walls are painted with black tar (hắc ín)…
Listen in the app4The Cachot: The Dark Dungeon0:59
The Cachot, or 'Ngục Tối,' was known by prisoners as the 'Hell of Hells'. This was the punishment area for those who violated prison regulations or led protests. …
Listen in the app5The Guillotine and the Execution Room1:01
In a somber corner of the prison stands the guillotine, a French invention used for public executions [99-101]. This particular machine was mobile and could be disassembled to be taken to other provinces for 'deterrence'. …
Listen in the app6The Bàng Tree and the Sewer Escape1:08
In the central courtyard, you'll see a large, ancient 'Bàng' (Tropical Almond) tree, which prisoners affectionately called the 'Tree of Friendship' [105-107]. This tree was a vital source of life; prisoners used its leaves as…
Listen in the app7The Hanoi Hilton: The American Pilot Era0:53
The narrative of Hỏa Lò shifts significantly in the 1960s and 70s when it was used to house American pilots shot down over North Vietnam. These prisoners, including John McCain and Douglas 'Pete' Peterson (who later became the…
Listen in the app8Hỏa Lò Prison0:58
Leaving Hỏa Lò, the contrast between the dark, cramped cells and the modern, sunlit streets of Hanoi is jarring. You have walked through a site that has transitioned from a village of artisans to a colonial 'Hell on Earth,' and…
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What is Hỏa Lò Prison?
Hỏa Lò Prison is a place in 하노이 with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | 하노이 |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Total length | 9 min 01 s in all |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 21.0253, 105.8464 |
| Last updated |
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