Vietnam is renowned not only for its warm-hearted people, exquisite cuisine, and breathtaking natural landscapes but also for its heroic history. Phu Quoc Prison stands as a vivid testament to the sacrifices made by revolutionary soldiers for Vietnam's independence, justice, and unity.
Attracting around 10,000 visitors each year, Phu Quoc Prison remains a significant site, with many visitors being former soldiers of the Vietnam War. Despite the passage of time, this place continues to draw considerable attention from both domestic and international tourists. This article offers a brief overview of Phu Quoc Coconut Prison to enrich your visit.
Phu Quoc Prison, also known as Phu Quoc Coconut Tree Prison or Phu Quoc Prison Camp, is situated in the southern part of Phu Quoc Island at 350 Nguyen Van Cu Street, An Thoi Ward, Duong Dong Town.
During the Indochina War, it was referred to as Phu Quoc Coconut Tree Prison and served as the national prison of the Republic of Vietnam, holding up to 32,000 prisoners. In 1995, it was officially recognized as a Special National Relic by the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture and Information.
Phu Quoc Prison was originally constructed by French colonialists in 1946 to detain Vietnamese dissidents during the Indochina War. At that time, it was the largest prison in Southeast Asia. By April 1954, it held 14,000 political prisoners, most of whom were men. Following the Geneva Agreements in 1954, which marked the end of colonial rule in Vietnam, the French released most of these prisoners, allowing them to return to their families.
During the Vietnam War, Phu Quoc Prison was repurposed by the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) and American forces as a national prison from 1967 to 1973. Renamed Coconut Tree Prison, or alternatively known as Coconut Tree Training Camp or Phu Quoc Communist POWs’ Jail, it was located in Cay Dua Village (Coconut Tree Village).
Spanning 400 hectares, Phu Quoc Coconut Tree Prison Camp became the largest detention facility in the South, housing over 32,000 political prisoners at its peak. The number of detainees even reached up to 40,000, including high-ranking North Vietnamese officials. In 1967, the prison was expanded and divided into 12 main areas, each containing 500 barracks. Each barrack could hold 3,000 prisoners, organized into subdivisions “A,” “B,” “C,” and “D” for men, women, and the elderly. The entire camp was secured by 10 to 15 layers of barbed wire and guarded by four fully armed military battalions.
Today, Phu Quoc Coconut Prison serves as an educational museum, having undergone numerous restorations. It was designated a National Historical Monument in 1996 and elevated to a Special National Relic in 2014, welcoming visitors from all over the world.
The Exhibition House of Relics features a two-story gallery divided into two main areas. The first space is a screening room that provides a brief introduction to the history of Phu Quoc Island. The second area is a showroom displaying 43 artifacts, over 100 documentary images, and records of the camp. The exhibits are organized into three main themes: the torture methods used at Phu Quoc Prison, the prison’s foundation and expansion, and the struggles of the resistance fighters, along with some of their personal belongings.
B2 Section is the most notable and harrowing part of Phu Quoc Prison, where realistic scenes of brutal punishments are vividly re-enacted. Visitors can see life-sized mannequins depicting guards torturing prisoners with horrifying instruments.
The prison employed over 40 barbaric forms of torture, including beatings, electric shocks, blinding, waterboarding, burns, crucifixion, and having teeth smashed. The most horrific method was the Castro Tiger Cage, a barbed-wire cage so small that prisoners could neither sit upright nor lie down, and were left to endure the scorching heat by day and freezing cold at night.
The most horrific method was the “Castro Tiger Cage,” a barbed-wire cage so small that prisoners could neither sit upright nor lie down. Victims were left in these outdoor cages, enduring the scorching heat by day and freezing cold at night.
This re-enactment area captures the intense suffering of the victims through the detailed, anguished expressions on the mannequins, providing a visceral understanding of the cruel tortures endured. The Red Cross documented these inhumane practices during a visit in 1969. After the war, approximately 4,000 detainees had died, while many survivors were left with lasting physical and mental scars.
The prisoner graveyard is located on a hill near Navy Force Zone 5, about 1 kilometer from the B2 Section. It spans over 2,000 square meters and was reconstructed after 1975 with armored concrete and surrounded by fencing. At the graveyard’s center stands a monument of a raised fist atop a rectangular block, symbolizing the indomitable spirit and sacrifices of those who perished.
Kien Van Church, now in ruins, occupies an area of 4,837 square meters within Phu Quoc Prison. Only fragments of walls, cement foundations, and a few corner columns remain, serving as solemn reminders of the past.
Situated on a 12,420-square-meter site, the Doi Sim Martyrs Cemetery honors the communist soldiers who suffered and died under brutal conditions at Coconut Prison. The centerpiece of the cemetery is a large monument sculpted in the shape of waves, along with a 2-meter-high figure that stands as a tribute to those who lost their lives there, with the inscription, “To people who lost their lives here.”
Phu Quoc Coconut Prison, a somber reminder of Vietnam's tumultuous past, is located approximately 29 kilometers south of Duong Dong Town.
Getting There:
Tips for Your Visit:
By following these guidelines, you can pay your respects to the victims of the past while gaining valuable insights into Vietnam's history.
Beyond the Ba Be Lake, Vietnam is filled with captivating destinations. Wander through Hanoi's lively streets, Saigon's bustling markets, and Can Tho's iconic floating markets along the Mekong Delta. Discover Co Loa's charming ancient citadel, steeped in history and legend, or venture to the mountainous beauty of Ha Giang, where winding roads lead to breathtaking views.
For peaceful escapes, head to Da Lat's cool highlands with pine forests and waterfalls, or the misty rice terraces of Sa Pa that capture the essence of northern Vietnam. Unwind on the pristine shores of Ninh Binh, where limestone cliffs rise from emerald rivers, or explore the natural beauty of Cat Ba Island and the majestic waterfalls and lakes of Cao Bang.
Each place offers its unique charm, painting a vibrant picture of Vietnam's diverse landscapes and rich culture.
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