Con Dao and Phu Quoc prisons are likened to hell on earth, each attracting thousands of visitors each year.
Con Dao prison was built by the French colonialists in 1862 after capturing the Con Lon archipelago (the old name of Con Dao) to imprison patriots. This place is a large prison complex like hell on earth, located in Con Dao district, Ba Ria – Vung Tau province.
In terms of structure, the buildings are surrounded by solid stone walls, 4 to 5 meters high, inside are arranged in rows and have many rooms. In addition, the prison has many dark tunnels, the cell system is built with solid stone, all entrances have to go through 2 iron doors.
In 1930, the prison had 4 main prisons. Later, the prison was expanded due to the increasing number of prisoners. In addition, the French colonialists still maintained the Department of Dam, Department of Tieu, Department of Chi Ton, and Department of Luoi for prisoners to cultivate, cultivate stones, cut trees, take corals, clear ships, mill rice, and knitting. fishing tools …
During the American war, the system of prisons was expanded, building more prisons, the most devastating being the tiger cages. During 113 years (1862 to 1975), more than 20,000 soldiers were in Con Dao prison.
In 2012, Con Dao prison was ranked as a special national monument. With a ticket price of 40,000 VND, visitors can visit relic clusters such as the island lord’s house, Phu Hai prison, French tiger cages, American tiger cages. Visiting hours are from 7:30 to 11:30 and 14:00 to 17:00 every day, visitors should register in groups to have explanations of stories here.
Also known as a hell on earth, Phu Quoc Prison operated from June 1967 to March 1973, this place held about 40,000 prisoners. This relic is also called Cay Dua prison, located in An Thoi town, Phu Quoc city , Kien Giang province, with a total area of about 400 hectares, divided into 12 zones with nearly 500 houses. Around the area, there are guard posts to keep watch throughout the day and night, in addition to the mobile gazebo, which illuminates the whole camp.
The prisons were built with tin walls, roofs and doors, with hot daytime temperatures, and cold nights at night. The cell floor is covered with cement to prevent prisoners from escaping from prison. Outside is a row of 7 to 10 thick barbed wire, which creates a separate detention center. However, Phu Quoc prisoners have organized 45 successful prison breaks through many ways such as crossing barriers, beating soldiers to escort when going out to do hard work, underground tunnels …
Currently, the relic remains a number of items such as the gate of the 8th battalion military police, the POW’s cemetery, the Kien Van church, some items in the B2 subdivision have been restored such as the gazebo, barbed wire fence, barbed-wire tiger cages, rows of houses used as accommodation, living, detention, torture of prisoners …
In 2014, the historical site of Phu Quoc Prison is ranked as a special national monument. Every year, this place welcomes tens of thousands of visitors, contributing to the education of patriotic traditions and indomitable fighting spirit for generations. In addition, visitors can also explore other destinations of Phu Quoc. Follow vnexpress