Phu Quoc prison is known as Coconut tree prison, as the well-known destination in Phu Quoc. The priston captured the extreme crime of French colonialism and America to Vietnamese people in the Vietnam War. 

Phu Quoc Prison Overview

• Location: 350 Nguyen Van Cu Street, An Thoi Ward, Duong Dong Town, Phu Quoc Island, Kien Giang Province
• Opening hours: 8:30 a.m to 11:30 a.m and 13:30 p.m to 17:00 p.m
• Entrance fee: Free

Phu Quoc prison is situated in An Thai Commune, Duong Dong town, Phu Quoc island, about 28 km away from city center and around 2 km away from Bai Sao and Bai Khem Beach. 

The gate of Phu Quoc prison

Phu Quoc prison is the most prominent historic site on the island, attracting  a large number of tourists all over the world. Before, this prison was named Phu Quoc Coconut Tree prison, capturing more 32.000 prisoners. In 1995, Phu Quoc prison was recognized as a Special National Relic by the Vietnamese Minister of Culture. 

History of Phu Quoc prison

Phu Quoc prison was constructed by French colonists in 1946 with the purpose to imprison Vietnamese who disidented with colonialists authority in the Indochina War. 

At this time, this was the largest prison in Southeast Asia, surrounded by barbed wire and protective light. Guards watch anywhere and have guns. 

In late April 1954, this prison had more 14.000 political prisoners and was returned after the Geneva Agreements in 1954 due to its colonialism in Vietnam ended. 

Mannequin model simulating war crimes

From 1967 to 1973, American forces continued to use Phu Quoc prison as a national prison to detain Vietnamese soldiers. At its peak point, Phu Quoc coconut prison had more than 40.000 prisoners with many North Vietnamese leaders. 

In 1967, the prison was upgraded and expanded to 12 main areas. The areas divided into 4 subdivisions includes A, B, C, D with 3000 inmates for each one. Many layers of barbed wire were covered  around the camp and  guards were well-equipped with guns. 

Phu Quoc prison is surrounded by many layers of thorns.

Phu Quoc prison was recognized as a National Historical Monument  and a Special National Relic respectively 1996 and 2014. 

Highlight destination in Phu Quoc coconut prison

Exhibition House of Relics

There are 2 separate spaces to display about 43 artifacts, 100 documentary illustrators such as torture methods, its foundation and expansion and resistance Vietanmese’ struggles. Coming here, you can  watch a screening showing a brief about Phu Quoc island. 

Precious photos in the museum

B2 Section

B2 Section is a place that has gruesome scenes concerning American and French colonialism. Tourists will see life-sized mannequins of guards and prisoners, tortured by instruments such as hammer, baton, handcuffs, wooden shackles...

American soldiers tortured prisoners by boiling them in hot oil.

More than 40 forms of barbarism that prisoners have to suffer such as blinding, burns, waterboarding, breaking teeth by hammers... 

Besides, the method makes you scared must be the “Casto Tiger Cage”. It made of barbed wire with a low hight. So, it wasn't enough for a person to sit up and lie out. 

Casto Tiger Cage

All of the prisoners endured the heat and freeze of the weather without eating. The physical pain of victims that you can feel through the intense facial expressions of the mannequins. 

Brutal torture of prisoners

Visitors can understand the extreme agony of prisoners suffered at Phu Quoc prison. After Vietnam gained independence in 1975, there were more than 4000 deaths and some returned to their families however they must endure physical and mental disabilities for the rest of their lives. 

Prisoner Graveyard

This is a worship for a thousand prisoners who died here. The Graveyard has an area of 2000m2, located on a hill and about 1 km away from B2 section. In 1975, the construction was renovated by armored concrete and surrounded by fences. 

You can see a monument of a fist in the center of the prisoner graveyard, symbolized indomitable spirit and sacrifices of predecessors.

Visiting Monument to martyrs at Doi Sim

The monument of martyrs at Doi Sim, Phu Quoc island is a place to communist casualties who were dead and suffered the brutal tortures at the prison. 

Doi Sim martyrs was built with the architecture of the shape of waves and a person statues height 2m. 

How to get to Phu Quoc Prison?

If you depart from the city center, you can get to Phu Quoc prison by buses, motorbikes, and cars. 

Renting a motorbike, you can follow DT45 street to reach the T-Junction. Continue to turn left to DT47 street to Ham Ninh roundabout. 

On the way, you can admire the breathtaking natural scenery. After you take a left turn to DT 46 Nguyen Van Cu National Highway and go ahead more than 16k, you will see Phu Quoc prison. 

However, renting a car with a driver is the best for you. Relax and comfortable with car rental service from Vietnam Trust Car Rental. Book now. 

Phu Quoc prison is an interesting place to visit, bringing historical memories to life. Tourists have the opportunity to explore the war in Vietnam and feel the crimes of America and France and the pain of prisoners in the Vietnam War. 

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