Côn Đảo Prison, Colonial prison complex on Con Son Island, Vietnam.
Côn Đảo Prison is a detention compound on Con Son Island with multiple buildings, thick stone walls, and cell areas arranged across the grounds. The complex includes separate structures for confinement, with memorials and exhibition spaces integrated throughout the site.
French authorities established the initial prison structure in 1862, known as Phu Hai, to detain those opposed to colonial rule from Vietnam and Cambodia. The facility expanded over time and became a central point of French control throughout the colonial period.
The site tells stories of Vietnamese resistance through photographs, personal items, and accounts of those who opposed colonial rule. These objects and records show how prisoners maintained their dignity and spirit despite living in harsh conditions.
Visitors can explore the grounds through guided tours that explain various sections including cells, memorial areas, and exhibition spaces. It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes and allow time to visit both indoor and outdoor sections.
The complex features prison sections called tiger cages, small enclosed spaces that exposed inmates to extreme heat and direct sunlight. These cells remain visible today and demonstrate the harsh conditions prisoners endured.
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