Hoa Lo Prison Museum

Overview

Hoa Lo Prison, nicknamed the "Hanoi Hilton" by American POWs, was originally built by French colonists in 1896. Today the surviving south wing serves as a museum documenting both eras of incarceration.

Highlights

• French colonial section: Mannequins in shackles and original guillotine.
• American POW section: Photographs and artefacts including John McCain's flight suit.
• Original architecture: Thick stone walls and iron gates.

History

Built 1896–1901, the prison held Vietnamese independence activists during French rule and American pilots during the Vietnam War (1964–1973). Most demolished in the 1990s.

Visitor Tips

• Sensitive content: Exhibits are graphic.
• Duration: 1–1.5 hours.