The Con Dao Interrogation Area was originally built in Western architectural style. During the French colonial period, the complex served as residential quarters for colonial personnel.
In 1960, under the U.S.–Saigon administration, the area was repurposed and transformed into an interrogation facility, consisting of three main blocks:
- Block A: Guard and administrative station
- Block B: Records and document storage
- Block C: Interrogation and torture rooms
Additional structures included temporary solitary confinement cells and basic sanitation facilities.
Function and Operation within the Con Dao Prison System
The Interrogation Area acted as the central office for questioning, classifying, and processing prisoners. Any prisoner brought to Con Dao was first taken here for interrogation before being assigned to a specific prison camp.
Prisoners were distributed based on how “dangerous” they were deemed by the authorities.
The facility also handled:
- Prisoners suspected of planning uprisings
- Individuals accused of resisting guards or breaking prison regulations
- Political prisoners considered determined, influential, or difficult to subdue
Interrogations were often accompanied by beatings, torture, and harsh coercive methods. Those who refused to cooperate were locked in temporary solitary cells under brutal conditions.
The “Ban Sưu Tra” Period (1966–1970)
Between 1966 and 1970, the Interrogation Area was reorganized and reduced in size, operating under the name Ban Sưu Tra. Despite the restructuring, its essential function remained unchanged: extracting information, suppressing resistance, and isolating prisoners deemed a threat.
Historical Value and National Recognition
The Con Dao Interrogation Area is one of the most important surviving structures that reflects the repressive apparatus of the colonial and U.S.–Saigon regimes.
Its significance has been officially recognized:
- April 29, 1979: The Ministry of Culture and Information issued Decision 54-VHQĐ, designating the Interrogation Area as a Nationally Important Historic Site.
- May 10, 2012: The Prime Minister issued Decision 548/QĐ-TTg, listing the Con Dao Prison System — including the Interrogation Area — as a National Special Historic Site.
The Interrogation Area Today
Today, the Con Dao Interrogation Area stands as a solemn historical site where visitors can witness:
- The methods of interrogation and oppression once used against political prisoners
- The harsh realities faced by revolutionaries
- The unyielding spirit of those who endured torture but refused to betray their ideals
Every room and every wall within this complex echoes stories of sacrifice, resilience, and the indomitable will of countless Vietnamese patriots.
The site serves as a powerful reminder of the true cost of freedom and the unwavering commitment of those who fought for national liberation.
