The French-Style Tiger Cages were secretly constructed in 1940, concealed deep within Phu Tuong Prison and accessible only through two discreet entrances. A small locked door—camouflaged to appear abandoned—was the only separation between the Tiger Cages and the main prison. Except for the guards, no one knew of this hidden compound.
Political prisoners were often brought here after being tortured into unconsciousness. They were led in through different routes to disorient them, making it impossible for anyone to determine the prison’s layout or attempt escape.
Brutal Architecture – A System Designed to Break the Human Spirit
Covering 5,808 m², the French Tiger Cages consisted of two main blocks with 60 roofed cells and 60 open-air punishment cells known as “sunbathing rooms.” Above the cells, iron grates and a narrow walkway allowed guards to observe and monitor prisoners from above.
There was no main gate; hidden passageways connected the Tiger Cages to Banh III (Phu Tuong) and its auxiliary area (Phu Tho). These routes were routinely concealed whenever inspection teams or unfamiliar visitors arrived on the island.
Prisoners here endured constant surveillance, sudden beatings, and harsh punishments such as being doused with lime powder or forced into the scorching sun and cold rain. This was also the site of powerful resistance movements, including the anti-secession and anti-flag-salute campaigns, marked by the bravery of revolutionaries such as Cao Van Ngoc, Luu Chi Hieu, Nguyen Duc Thuan, Phan Trong Binh, Pham Quoc Sac, Nguyen Minh, Le Van Mot, and many others.
The Courage of Female Prisoners (1969–1970)
In 1969, the Saigon regime exiled 342 female prisoners and two children to Côn Đảo. Exploiting their vulnerability, guards subjected them to brutal punishments: lime powder assaults, sharp iron-tipped poles, deprivation of bathing water, and denial of sanitation buckets.
Despite these conditions, the women organized relentless protests, becoming a symbol of courage that inspired the entire island.
Exposed to the World – The International Outcry of 1970
In 1970, student demonstrations in Saigon pressured the authorities to release five student prisoners held in the Tiger Cages: Cao Nguyen Loi, Nguyen Minh Tri, Tran Van Long, Nguyen Thanh Tong, and Nguyen Tuan Kiet.
A sudden rainstorm outside the prison gate gave these students a rare chance to observe the surroundings and memorize the hidden entryway to the Tiger Cages. Upon returning to Saigon, they immediately reported the atrocities to the Lower House and the press.
American journalist Don Luce published their revelations in Life Magazine (July 17, 1970), shocking global public opinion. Soon after, Tom Harkin led a U.S. congressional delegation back to Côn Đảo. Guided by the students’ sketch, they located the secret garden door and uncovered the horrific compound: 120 isolated cells and 60 roofless punishment cells designed for extreme sun and rain exposure.
Photographs and testimony created an international uproar, forcing the Saigon government to dismantle the Tiger Cages and relocate all prisoners.
Recognition as a National Special Historic Site
April 29, 1979: The Ministry of Culture and Information issued Decision 54-VHQĐ, recognizing the French Tiger Cages as a site of exceptional national importance.
May 10, 2012: The Prime Minister issued Decision 548/QĐ-TTg, classifying the site as a National Special Historic Site.
The Tiger Cages Today – A Place of Memory and Reverence
Today, visitors to Côn Đảo can explore the French-Style Tiger Cages to better understand the cruelty of colonial imprisonment and the unbreakable determination of political prisoners.
Each brick wall, each rusted iron grate, and each shadowed corridor tells a story—of pain, resilience, and an unyielding desire for freedom. It stands as a solemn reminder that the peace and beauty of Côn Đảo today were bought with immense sacrifice.
Post Views: 16
){kind=link}