Hoa Lo Prison
Hoa Lo Prison
4
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Colloquially known as "Hanoi Hilton," this famous prison has been mostly torn down. A museum occupies the remaining structure.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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- GLB103England, United Kingdom76 contributionsConfusing Information!Interesting museum but too full of propaganda! Pictures of American prisoners enjoying putting up a Christmas tree and playing pool did not sit easy. I certainly did not agree with the Americans getting involved with the war in any way but like to see how they were treated! I decided to research on my return to the UK and this prison, known as the Hanoi Hilton, was the worst POW camp - and the Americans were not treated well at all. I prefer the truth when visiting a museum and this was not!Visited March 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 26 April 2023
- Shelley MAlbany, New Zealand792 contributionsCreepy placeI had done a bit of research before going here, even reading the book by John Mc Cain. It was still an interesting visit and whilst not entirely accurate, still had a lot of information and worthy of a visit. Quite creepy in places and I wouldn't take small children to a place like that. I liked the motorbike parking valet had towels placed on all the seats of the bikes, so owners wont get burnt butt, thought that was a nice touch. Was easy to find and you had to pay in VND, didn't seem to accept cards for payment. We spent an hour walking around and that was enough time.Visited March 2023Written 8 May 2023
- formeryogiCharlotte, North Carolina181 contributionsShort visit.It was one of those things that we felt like we had to do. Very little information about Vietnam War role during first part of tour. Mostly information about the prison's French past. Later, when the Vietnam war is mentioned, it shows American prisoners celebrating Christmas. Obviously, North Vietnam won the war, and it gets to present the narrative it wants. But, it does not take much imagination to realize the prison was not a pleasant place. Less than an hour. Audio tour is not necessary.Visited May 2023Written 16 May 2023
- Sharon SMelbourne, Australia220 contributionsInteresting historyReally interesting and well done. Make sure you get the audio tour and headphones for the best experience. Really reasonable entry and audio tour- a must if you’re visiting Hanoi.Visited May 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 17 May 2023
- Lozza1ukAltrincham, United Kingdom611 contributionsInteresting place to visitAs with every location in Vietnam the story presented is quite one-sided (their home, their right to present their version of the story!) but I thought this was a well laid out museum and larger than I was expecting. Found it interesting and would love to give a massive thank you to the visitor that found my husband’s money belt he had dropped, and handed it into security. We are incredibly grateful and delighted to see there are still lovely people out there!Visited June 2023Travelled with familyWritten 11 June 2023
- JamesSTaiwan3 contributionsAdd the audio guide!The audio guide may seem expensive (compared to the ticket price) but is well worth the money. The introductions to each part of the prison is clear and informative whilst being complimented with personal accounts of inmates. It is a pity that barely 4/10ths of the prison remain -- how the rest "disappeared" under the neighbouring hotel remains a mystery!Visited June 2023Written 29 June 2023
- Yvonne C1 contributionBest tourist attraction in Hanoi!Best tourist attraction in Hanoi! The museum is well-designed, where you can learn the history of Vietnam from the French colonial period till the end of the Vietnam War. There's a lot to see in the prison, with clear description. There's also sufficient space to sit and enjoy the AC throughout the entire visit which is very nice during summer. There's also a small shopping mall and supermarket beside the prison which you can grab some snacks after the visit.Visited July 2023Written 16 July 2023
- Steven HAdelaide, Australia23 contributionsInteresting and informative tour.Went to see the infamous " Hanoi Hilton", whilst only a small part remains, there was enough to see the conditions etc they had to endure. We used the audio tour for about $6, found this very informative and easier than reading all the info on site. Highly recommended.Visited July 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 16 July 2023
- mrbrentharrisHanoi, Vietnam435 contributionsGlad I visitedAs many have written. This museum is from the Vietnamese perspective. It was very interesting and a sad reminder of the original use of it by the French to imprison the Vietnamese. Before we saw the the 'American' side, our tour guide thankfully warned us, that what we were about to see was prob not an accurate portrayal of how the Americans POW's were treated. I did spend some time after I left the prison reading the stories of those who were held there.Visited June 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 19 July 2023
- Marcela KaneHouston, Texas84 contributionsGreat experience - not sure why it was not in our tour….After reading “things to do” in Hanoi we asked our tour guide to accommodate a stop to the prison. We are so happy we did! Great experience and helps understand part of history. Chilling and en lighting at the same time. Would strongly recommend making timeVisited July 2023Travelled with familyWritten 14 August 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.0
10,792 reviews
Excellent
3,918
Very good
4,942
Average
1,641
Poor
219
Terrible
72
hemismom
Campbellville, Canada224 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
We had an enjoyable morning at the museum, but highly recommend. The only thing I would suggest is that you bring insect repellent with you as sometimes the bugs are quite bad I got about 30 bites during my visit.
Written 16 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wanjiku
Los Angeles, CA3 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
A sobering look at Vietnam's tumultuous history. Walk through the cramped cells, exhibits documenting the prison's dark past, and learn about the resilience of Vietnamese prisoners. A poignant reminder of the country's struggles for independence and freedom.
Written 14 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Millie Bawden
8 contributions
Mar 2024 • Family
I went with my parents who are super interested in history- me, not so much, however I had a fantastic time. We walked through individually, without a tour or the audio and loved it. Extremely touching and really glad I saw it. No line for the tickets, just buy them outside the prison on the day.
Written 13 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matt Ferguson
11 contributions
Mar 2024 • Family
I visted the Hoa Lo Prison. First, the good. I learned so much about the French occupation and the following repression of the Vietnamese Rebles. Now the bad. The American Vietnam War section was not balanced. I would say the museum did not address the harsh treatment of American POWs, but nor did I expect it to shine a light on that dark history.
Written 12 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cheryl M
Phuket, Thailand73 contributions
Feb 2024 • Family
This was our number one half-day out in Vietnam (along with the water puppets). You had audio in several languages and easy to find your way around. It is not for the faint hearted though, the conditions that the Vietnamese and US prisoners experienced was horrific.
Written 11 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shuddho G
Kolkata (Calcutta), India869 contributions
Mar 2024 • Family
This is a must visit place for history aficionados. Also known as the Hanoi Hilton by the American prisoners' of war captured by the NVA.
Written 7 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
shaishavv
Mumbai, India1,152 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
This museum gives an inside view of the life of the prisioners - where they lived, how they were treated etc.
It has the orginal prision gate & the guillotene on display.
It has nice pictures & other items thru which visitors can experience the prision life.
NIce museum worth visiting once.
It has the orginal prision gate & the guillotene on display.
It has nice pictures & other items thru which visitors can experience the prision life.
NIce museum worth visiting once.
Written 6 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vaugkimb
Detroit, MI216 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
Interesting site to visit. While there is a fair amount of info on the Vietnam (American) War, the education is rightly focused on the entire history of the prison, built by the French, which includes significant mistreatment of Vietnamese political prisoners by the French prior to liberation from being part of French Indochina.
Other reviewers comment on the propaganda around how well cared for the American POWs were while in custody. It’s true that it is definitely prominently displayed and is hard to read; however. It should be kept in mind that this is told from the Vietnam government’s point of view. The information is highly patriotic in nature as a site like this in any country would be. As an American, if you don’t remember that cultural context, you will be irritated. You are in another country after all, and one that has significant restrictions on free speech and free press to boot.
One thing is clear, anyone who spent time as a prisoner here over the approximately 100 year history of the prison lived a nightmare in awful physical and psychological conditions.
Other reviewers comment on the propaganda around how well cared for the American POWs were while in custody. It’s true that it is definitely prominently displayed and is hard to read; however. It should be kept in mind that this is told from the Vietnam government’s point of view. The information is highly patriotic in nature as a site like this in any country would be. As an American, if you don’t remember that cultural context, you will be irritated. You are in another country after all, and one that has significant restrictions on free speech and free press to boot.
One thing is clear, anyone who spent time as a prisoner here over the approximately 100 year history of the prison lived a nightmare in awful physical and psychological conditions.
Written 1 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Johnnie C
Scone, UK338 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
We came to the "Hanoi Hilton" on a drizzly afternoon. The audio guide is well worth doing to provide some insights as you tour around. Some of what occurred during the French occupation was sadistic, the models and exhibits help you to imagine the conditions. Of particular interest to me was the prison use during the Vietnam/American War, probably as it is recent history within my lifetime, as expected there is a good section dedicated to this and it was interesting to hear how well American prisoners of war were treated, so much so I wonder if they were sad to return to the US (sarcasm). This said it's worth a visit and easy enough to get to and from using Grab.
Written 24 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DotsGirl2
Vancouver, Canada448 contributions
Feb 2024 • Friends
This place is interesting but was ruined for me by the heavy propaganda on all of the explanations. As with any place that tells of inhumanity and war it is a sad place to visit.
Written 19 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
christyngai
1 contribution
Do we need to make a booking in advance? Or can we go there directly and buy tickets upon entry?
Hamish S
Springfield Central, Australia4 contributions
Same answer as the others, no need to book.
There is a lot of small writing in some of the displays so take your reading glasses if you use them and don't want to miss a lot of the detail
Eileen Tan
Singapore, Singapore
HI, anyone know is it open on Monday and the opening hour? I saw some websites said it is closed on Mon.
ROB D
Hopton, UK325 contributions
I believe it’s open every day
Bernadete Orgânica
Sao Paulo, SP
Ola! Quero saber sobre as mulheres vietnimista! se elas recebem pensão do governo e com que idade?
Carioca1958
280 contributions
??? Desculpe, mas isso não é uma pergunta de viajante.
Ophelie33130
Begles, France10 contributions
Can we put our bagpacks at the enter ?? Because we don't want to visit with them
zara1213
Montreal, Canada964 contributions
Bonjour,
Malheureusement, Nous n'avons pas vu aucun endroit où vous pourriez laisser vos sacs.
H S
2 contributions
I'm seeing several people mention that a lot of the prison has been torn down. Can anyone say if Admiral Stockdale's cell is still there or marked as such?
Michael C
Hoi An, Vietnam48 contributions
Most of the prison has been torn down. I’m writing this from inside what remains. The idea that any prisoner would have his own cell or that the victors would memorialise an enemy prisoner is frankly ludicrous.
hanrowlands
Melbourne, Australia24 contributions
Hello. Do you need to pre purchase entry tickets or can you just attend and buy entry on the day? Thank you
Christian B
Bisbee, AZ75 contributions
You can buy tickets at a kiosk outside the entrance.
Does anyone know who makes the lacquer in the smaller gift shop? I'm trying to see if I can buy it online but having no luck. Thank you!
donmountford
Claremont, Australia160 contributions
Sorry Tori C, cannot help re the lacquer maker as I didn't look at the gift shop.
I found several shops in Saigon District 1 that sell excellent lacquer goods and may be available vis the internet/
Don Mountford
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Frequently Asked Questions about Hoa Lo Prison
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