Con Dao Prison, on Con Dao Island, symbolizes Vietnam’s resilient fight for independence. Built by French colonialists and later used by American forces, it held political prisoners under harsh conditions. Today, the prison’s preserved relics, including tiger cages and cells, offer a poignant glimpse into Vietnam’s history.

Con Dao Prison Overview

• Address: Nguyen Chi Thanh street, Con Dao island, Ba Ria - Vung Tau province
• Opening hours: 08:00 am - 06:00 pm
• Entrance fee: 50,000 VND/person

Con Dao Prison ( Con Son Prison) is located on Truong Son street, Con Dao island, Ba Ria - Vung Tau province. The prison was built in 1862 by French colonists and later Americans used to incarnate political prisoners. So, Con Dao prison is a symbolized of brutality in Vietnamese war. 

 

The prison is constructed in the middle of the East Sea, creating an isolated area with mainland about 100km. So, the prisoners don't escape from Con Dao prison without transportation.

 

There are 127 detention rooms, 42 cells and 504 tiger cages with extreme punishment. 

The prison is known for its "hell on earth" through forced labor, torture of prisoners. They subjected to torture physical, emotional, and spiritual, malnutrition, making many people lost their lives.

In addition, Con Dao prison is a place that shows resilient prisoners' unwavering patriotism and spirit, spreading to future generations. 

 

More than 20,000 people were imprisoned here in over 1 century until 1975, the country's reunification, Con Dao prison was dissolved. 

In 2012, Con Dao prison was one of Vietnam's 23 special national monuments by the Ministry of Culture. Today, Con Dao prison is a profound legacy for Vietnamese history and independence, attracting many visitors to travel. 

 

What to visit in Con Dao prison?

The Con Dao Prison Complex contains numerous relics that provide a powerful glimpse into Vietnam’s past. Visiting these historical sites reveals the hardships endured by prisoners and the enduring spirit of resistance that defines this landmark.

If you have an opportunity in Con Dao, you definitely must visit some relics to have a powerful glimpse into the Vietnamese war. 

The Governor’s Palace 

The palace spans over 21.500m2 and was built in the 19th century. Before, the Governor's Palace was a place for 53 island governors with 39 French and 14 Vietnamese.  Harsh measures against prisoners were promulgated from this site  

The luxury of the palace contrasts with the lifestyle and conditions of prisoners. They were forced into labor to support the opulent lives of the governors.

Besides, the first revolutionary government in 1945 and again in 1975 occurred here. 

The Pier 914

Pier 914 was built in 1873 with over 1400m2. Over 1000 prisoners were lost due to forced labor to construct the pier. This place was a site for ships prisoners to Con Dao prison. There were many brutal beatings to intimidate new prisoners. 

 

Cow Shed Isolated Area

You should come to the Cow Shed Isolated Area with 9 solitary confinement rooms, 24 pigsty cells, two cattle pens, and a pit for storing cow dung. 

Many body prisoners are found out here and as a cemetery for prisoners with the name as  The “Field of Skulls”, the second cemetery as Hang Keo Cemetery and Hang Duong Cemetery which is the third cemetery in Con Dao prison. 

Many prisoners endured the most horrifying forms of torture such as submerging body in a three meter deep dung pit, using undergound drainage to drown them. 

 

In 1975, when the country unified, the prisoners were rescued from the cries for help from Cow Shed. However, they can alive  because of the  severely mutilated by maggots.  

The system of prisons

There are many prison at Con Dao with a system comprises multiple camps such as Phu Hai, Phu Tho, Phu Tuong, Phu An, Phu Binh, Phu Hung...  Don't forget to visit American tiger cages.

 

The famous and old prison in the prison system is Phu Hai camp, built in 1862. There were many facilities in camp such as isolation rooms, a chapel, infirmary and work areas. 

In addition, the prison system also has an investigation area to interrogate prisoners, before assigning them to specific camps. 

 

Hang Duong Cemetery

This is a resting place of over 5000 prisoners out of the 20.000 who perished at Con Dao prison. The cemetery is divided into 3 main sections covering an area of 190.000m2. 

• Area A is a place for the final resting of figures such as Le Hong Phong, Nguyen An Ninh. 
• Area B is home to the graves of Vo Thi Sau. 
• Area C holds the remains of other prisoners. 

There is a ceremonial area and a statue to construct in 1980, honoring and commemorating the prisoners who died under American and French. 

How to Get to Con Dao Prison?

Con Dao prison is about 100 km far away from the mainland. So, if you want to approach Con Dao prison, you can get there by flight or a boat. 

The quick way to Con Dao is by plane. The direct flights from Ho Chi Minh, Cantho to Con Dao island. The prices range from 2.000.000 vnd to 4.000.000 vnd. After landing at the airport, you can book a taxi, motorbike from the airport to Con Dao prison. 

Besides, you can book a private car to explore many sites in Con Dao with Con Dao prison. Car rental service of Vietnam Trust Car Rental supports you. 

The second way is to take a boat. If you move on a boat, you should go to Con Dao from April to June. The sea is calmest. From Saigon city, you drive a car to Vung Tau. After, you continue to go by boat for about 5 hours to Con Dao island. 

If you want to save time, you get to Tran De Port from Ho Chi Minh by private car and go straight to the island. You only take around 2 hours. 

When you come to Con Dao island, you can book a car/taxi/motorbike to transfer to Con Dao prison. 

You should go to Con Dao prison at least once in your life. The prison is an essential place to learn more about the journey for independence and the resilience and sacrifices of Vietnam's freedom fighters.