When we speak about Côn Đảo Prison, many Vietnamese recall the words of Professor Trần Văn Giàu, a former political prisoner here. He said:
“Under French rule, Côn Đảo was already a hell on earth. Under the U.S.–Saigon regime, it became a hell within a hell.”
These words reflect the extreme brutality that took place in this prison system during its 113 years of operation (1862–1975).
The Origins of Côn Đảo Prison
After occupying Côn Đảo on November 23, 1861, the French quickly decided to turn this beautiful island into a remote prison. Surrounded by the ocean and far from the mainland, Côn Đảo was the perfect place to isolate political prisoners.
On February 1, 1862, Admiral Bonard signed the order establishing Côn Đảo Prison, marking the beginning of a dark period in Vietnamese history. The first group of 50 prisoners was brought to the island shortly afterward.
Over the decades, the French built:
- Prison Cluster I (Banh I)
- Prison Cluster II (Banh II)
- Prison Cluster III (Banh III)
- Several auxiliary prisons
They also created forced-labor stations such as the Lime Kiln Station, Salt Station, Wood Station, Pepper Farm, and Fishing Station, where prisoners were exploited under harsh conditions.
Expansion Under the U.S.–Saigon Regime
After 1954, the Saigon government continued using the prison and expanded it even further. Between 1962 and 1971 they built:
Camp V, VI, VII, VIII,
and later started Camp IX and X, though these were never completed after the Paris Peace Accords.
Additional satellite camps were placed near labor sites, making Côn Đảo one of the most notorious prison complexes in Southeast Asia.
Why Côn Đảo Was Called “Hell on Earth”
In his famous novel “Escaping Côn Đảo” (1954), writer Phùng Quán described the island:
“Whatever horrors a person imagines in hell, Côn Đảo had them all — and many times worse.”
During your visit today, you may hear about Skull Beach, the site of the first major massacre in 1862. After a prisoner uprising, French forces killed more than 100 prisoners and buried 20 others alive in a mass grave.
Another tragic site is Phú Hải Prison (Banh I). Here, many patriotic scholars and revolutionaries such as Phan Châu Trinh, Huỳnh Thúc Kháng, Ngô Đức Kế, and later Phạm Hùng, Lê Đức Thọ, Ngô Gia Tự were imprisoned.
On February 14, 1918, more than 80 prisoners were shot dead when they rose up against cruel overseers. Bodies lay across the courtyard, and blood pooled on the ground — a scene recorded by Huỳnh Thúc Kháng as “too horrifying to look at.”
Across 113 years, more than 20,000 prisoners died on Côn Đảo. Today, only 1,918 graves have been identified in Hàng Dương Cemetery, and fewer than half bear names. The rest remain lost somewhere beneath the forest floor and the island’s rugged terrain.
Symbols of Courage and Sacrifice
Despite the suffering, Côn Đảo became a symbol of unbreakable Vietnamese spirit. Many heroic figures were imprisoned here, including:
- Lê Hồng Phong
- Nguyễn An Ninh
- Võ Thị Sáu
- Cao Văn Ngọc (“The Old Man of the Tiger Cages”)
Their courage continues to inspire generations.
Liberation Day – May 1, 1975
Côn Đảo was liberated one day after Saigon fell. At the time, 4,234 political prisoners were still held on the island.
As South Vietnam collapsed, prison guards became confused and terrified. Some even planned to kill prisoners with grenades before fleeing — but the plan failed.
On the night of April 30, news of liberation reached the prisoners. By May 1, 1975, they had taken control of the island without a single shot fired.
For thousands, it was the first sunrise of freedom after years — even decades — behind bars.
Côn Đảo Today – A Place to Remember and Reflect
Although the island is now peaceful, its historical sites remain intact:
- The Tiger Cages
- Phú Hải Prison
- Phú Sơn Prison
- The French Tiger Cages
- Hàng Dương Cemetery
- The memorial to Võ Thị Sáu
These places serve as a powerful reminder of the cruelty of colonial and wartime oppression — and the resilience of those who endured it.
Visitors often describe their experience as solemn, emotional, and unforgettable.
For Tour Guides: Suggested Closing Message
“Côn Đảo is no longer a prison island — it is a sacred memorial. As you walk through these sites, we invite you to reflect on the sacrifices made here, the price of freedom, and the extraordinary courage of those who never gave up their hope for a better future.”
