Hỏa Lò Prison

Hỏa Lò Prison, built by the French between 1896 and 1901, was originally used to hold Vietnamese political prisoners. It later held U.S. prisoners of war during the Vietnam War, who sarcastically nicknamed it the 'Hanoi Hilton.' Today, the remaining gatehouse operates as a museum, with most of the original prison demolished to make way for a commercial complex.

Don't miss

• The guillotine room, which still contains original equipment used during the French colonial period.
• Quarters for male and female Vietnamese political prisoners, showing their living conditions under French rule.
• A single room dedicated to the Vietnam War period, which downplays the experiences of U.S. POWs.
• The original French colonial walls that were retained as part of the commercial complex built on the site.
• A display of the prison's original gatehouse, which is all that remains of the structure.
• The 'Hanoi Hilton' nickname, which was sarcastically coined by American POWs and first written down by pilot Bob Shumaker.

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Hỏa Lò Prison

Cheapest way inIncense Village & Bamboo Fish Trap Village & Soy Sauce From Hanoi5★ · 209 travelers6-8 hoursFree cancellationFrom$1 per personSee dates →Most booked5 Traditional Dishes Hanoi Cooking Class with Market Trip5★ · 5,618 travelers~3 hoursFree cancellationFrom$35 per personSee dates →Private & flexiblePrivate Guided Tour of Hanoi4.9★ · 395 travelers3-4 hoursFree cancellationFrom$5 per personSee dates →

Getting there

Know before you go

• The museum is located at 1 Hỏa Lò in the Hoan Kiem district of Hanoi.
• The prison was built in classical French prison design, which you can observe in the remaining structure.
• Two-thirds of the original prison was torn down to make way for the Hanoi Towers, a high-rise complex.
• The museum exhibits focus heavily on the French colonial period, with the Vietnam War section occupying only one room.

A bit of history

The prison was built by the French in Hanoi between 1896 and 1901, when Vietnam was part of French Indochina. It was intended for Vietnamese political prisoners agitating for independence, who were often tortured and executed. By 1954, it held over 2,000 people in subhuman conditions, becoming a symbol of colonial exploitation. After the French left in 1954, the prison came under the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and served as an education center for revolutionary doctrine. During the Vietnam War, it housed U.S. POWs, including future Senator John McCain. The prison remained operational until its demolition began in 1993.