Phu Quoc Prison Historical Site: Address, Opening Hours, Ticket Prices
Today, the Phu Quoc Prison Historical Site is a popular tourist attraction in Phu Quoc, drawing countless visitors each year. However, in the past, it was once a true “hell on earth” for revolutionary soldiers and innocent Vietnamese civilians. Although the war has ended, the losses and pain remain deeply etched in memory. Phu Quoc Prison stands as a living witness to the memories of war and the resilience of the Vietnamese people during their struggle for independence.
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Overview of Phu Quoc Prison
Phu Quoc Prison is located about 30 km south of Duong Dong town center. During the war, this site was used by the government of the Republic of Vietnam to detain prisoners under extremely brutal conditions. Known for its harsh environment, Phu Quoc Prison was notorious for severe human rights abuses, including torture, executions, and both physical and psychological forced labor. Due to these atrocities, it earned the nickname “hell on earth.” After Vietnam gained independence, the prison was abandoned and fell into disrepair. In 1995, the Ministry of Culture and Information recognized it as a National Historical Site, opening it to visitors to reflect on this dark period of history.
In recent years, the prison has become a tourist destination, attracting numerous visitors. Part of it has been restored as a museum to help locals and visitors remember the cruel and inhumane acts committed by American and Southern forces. Visitors can view the remnants of the prison, along with exhibitions that recount its history and the stories of its prisoners.
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In just under six years, Phu Quoc Prison held 40,000 detainees, primarily officers and soldiers of Vietnam’s revolutionary armed forces, as well as innocent civilians. At its peak, up to 120–180 prisoners were confined in each cell. Tragically, around 4,000 prisoners lost their lives, and tens of thousands suffered lasting injuries or disabilities.
The prison spanned 400 hectares with nearly 500 buildings, divided into 12 zones, including 2 double zones and 10 single zones. Each zone was subdivided into four sections labeled A, B, C, and D, spaced 100 meters apart. Each section was 150 meters long and 50 meters wide, containing 11 buildings, nine of which were prison cells, each measuring 20 by 5 meters.
Each section contained “tiger cages,” and four sections had solitary confinement rooms. The cells were built with tin roofs and cement floors to prevent escape tunnels. Around each section were four fixed guard towers and ten mobile guard posts.
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The entire camp was surrounded by a dense, barbed-wire fence, and an open area around it formed an isolation zone from the outside. Despite these obstacles, prisoners managed to escape 45 times through various methods, including scaling fences, digging underground tunnels, and overpowering guards during forced labor tasks.
Today, the Phu Quoc Prison Historical Site retains some original structures, such as the gate of the 8th Military Police Battalion, a prisoner cemetery, the remnants of Kien Van Church, a supplementary relic exhibition house, the restored B2 section covering 17,693 square meters, a martyr memorial at Sim Hill, the gate of the 7th Military Police Battalion, and the gate and command building of the prison camp.
A visit to Phu Quoc Prison offers a glimpse into a challenging period in history, with life-size models depicting scenes of torture and imprisonment. Within the site, there are also rooms displaying historical photos and documents. Additionally, many areas surrounding the prison illustrate past escape attempts, preserving the memory of the struggles endured by those held here.
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How to Get to Phu Quoc Prison
The prison is located about 29 km south of Duong Dong town center, roughly a 40-minute drive. You can choose to travel by personal vehicle, such as a motorbike or car, or take a bus.
Motorbike
Here’s a suggested route:
- Start from Duong Dong town and head south on Tran Hung Dao Street.
- Turn left onto Nguyen Van Cu Street.
- Continue straight for about 25 km, and Phu Quoc Prison will be on your right.
Taxi
You can easily hail a taxi on the road or book one through reputable taxi companies like Mai Linh or Vinasun. The taxi fare from Duong Dong to Phu Quoc Prison ranges from 150,000 to 200,000 VND. It’s recommended to agree on the fare with the driver before starting the trip.
Bus
You can take Bus Route 10 from Duong Dong town center to Phu Quoc Prison. The bus fare is 15,000 VND per trip. However, buses operate only at specific times during the day, so be sure to check the schedule in advance.
What to Explore at Phu Quoc Prison?
B2 Section
The B2 Section recreates the inside of Phu Quoc Prison as it once was, featuring life-sized mannequins of prisoners and guards. Here, you’ll experience moments in history, witnessing and feeling the physical and psychological suffering endured by prisoners in the past.
Barbed-Wire Tiger Cages
Prisoners were confined in cages measuring only 2 meters in length and 0.5 meters in width, surrounded by barbed wire, making it impossible for them to move. This was one of the most brutal forms of torture at Phu Quoc Prison at the time.
Solitary Confinement Room
The solitary confinement room is a vivid depiction of the punishments and torture inflicted on prisoners held at Phu Quoc Prison. It also vividly showcases the efforts of Vietnamese prisoners to dig tunnels through the camp in their daring escape from this “hell on earth.”
Visit the Martyrs’ Memorial at Sim Hill
The memorial, built within the historical site, features two 5-meter-high waves on either side, with a central hollow human-shaped pillar representing those who lost their lives here. The memorial covers an area of over 12,000 square meters.
Beside the memorial lies a martyrs’ cemetery, honoring and remembering the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the struggle for national independence and freedom.
Explore the Additional Exhibition House
The additional exhibition house at the site is divided into two rooms:
- Room 1: This room displays over 43 artifacts depicting the formation and existence of the prison camp, along with the history of various battles.
- Room 2: This room showcases 100 historical photographs portraying brutal torture methods, the prisoners’ resilient struggle, and the personal belongings left behind by prisoners.
Best Time to Visit Phu Quoc Prison
Phu Quoc experiences two main seasons: the dry season and the rainy season. The best time to visit Phu Quoc Prison is from October to March. During this period, the weather in Phu Quoc is dry, with no rain and moderate sunshine, making it ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities. It’s best to avoid visiting from May to October, as this is the rainy season.
Address, Opening Hours, and Admission to Phu Quoc Prison
- Address: 350 Nguyen Van Cu Street, An Thoi Ward, Phu Quoc, Kien Giang.
- Opening Hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 7:30 – 11:30 AM and 1:30 – 4:30 PM
- Sunday: 7:30 – 11:30 AM
- Admission Fee: Free
Currently, Phu Quoc Prison is open to visitors free of charge. However, to fully immerse yourself in the atmosphere and learn more about the site’s history, you may consider hiring a tour guide for around 100,000 to 200,000 VND per session.
If you’re visiting solo or in a small group of 1-2 people, you might also consider joining other visitors to share the guide’s cost.
A Few Tips for Visiting Phu Quoc Prison
- Attire: Wear respectful and comfortable clothing that allows for easy movement, and avoid overly short outfits, as you’ll be visiting memorials and a martyrs’ cemetery.
- Do Not Touch the Artifacts: Avoid touching or handling the restored artifacts within the site to help preserve them.
- Duration of Visit: It may take 1-2 hours to explore the entire prison site, so bring water and some light snacks to keep your energy up during the visit.
- Age Restrictions: Phu Quoc Prison has no age restrictions for visitors.
After the Paris Peace Accords were signed in 1973, Phu Quoc Prison was dissolved, and the prisoners were released. The prison no longer serves as a detention facility but has become a historical site in memory of those who lost their lives and as a place for visitors to learn about history.
Although only part of the original prison structures remains, the artifacts and painful memories are preserved to remind future generations of the war, the cruelty of the enemies, and the courageous sacrifices made by Vietnamese revolutionaries to achieve the peace they enjoy today.
With its historical significance, Phu Quoc Prison is a compelling destination for visitors interested in learning about the resilience and fight for independence of the Vietnamese people. Please contact SVietnam Travel to plan your Vietnam trip and receive expert advice and early booking discounts.
