The tour of Hoa Lo Prison Relic at night is not recommended for children under 16. — Photo courtesy of Hoa Lo Prison Relic

The tour is being organised with Hanoitourist Travel Company to offer more experience to travellers but it is not recommended for children under 16.

It is part of activities to attract tourists throughout the country and stimulate domestic tourism that has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As one of the points within the tourism stimulus package of Hanoi City, Hoa Lo Prison Relic will open until night. It is expected to be the first success on overcoming the effects of the pandemic on domestic tourism,” said a representative of the administration board of Hoa Lo Prison.

In the 45-minute journey backwards in time, visitors will witness the harshness of the colonial region during the wars in Vietnam, the noble sacrifice of the national heroes and see the special spiritual space dedicated to the gratitude for the predecessors.

The space within the relic at night will utilise both light and sound effects to awaken visitors’ emotions and senses.

Each visitor will be presented with a gift of spiritual value and symbolic meaning of the relic.

Tours exploring Hoa Lo Prison at night will be conducted from 7pm every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from July 24.

For more information about the tour and ticket purchase, please contact the Facebook page of Hoa Lo Prison Relic (https://www.facebook.com/hoaloprisonrelic) or by calling 0825112668.

Hoa Lo Prison is a special historical relic of Hanoi, built by the French colonists in 1896 to imprison Vietnamese patriots. Called Maison Centrale, it used to be one of the biggest prisons of French colonialism in Indochina at that time.

The space within the Hoa Lo Prison Relic at night will utilise both light and sound effects to awaken visitors’ emotions and senses. — Photo courtesy of Hoa Lo Prison Relic

Many patriots, revolutionary leaders of Vietnam, were captured in Hoa Lo prison, such as Phan Boi Chau, Luong Van Can, Ho Tung Mau, Nguyen Luong Bang, and five General Secretaries of the Party including Nguyen Van Cu, Truong Chinh, Le Duan, Nguyen Van Linh and Do Muoi.

From August 5, 1964, to March 31, 1973, part of the prison was used to capture American pilots who were shot down during bombing raids against North Vietnam. In this period, the prison was euphemistically called the “Hanoi Hilton” by the prisoners in detention. “Alumni” of Hoa Lo include Douglas Peter Peterson, who later became the first US Ambassador to Vietnam, and John McCain, the late US Senator.

In 1993, the Government retained a part of Hoa Lo Prison to transform into a historical relic. This part located in southeast of the prison was preserved, renovated and upgraded. Here, there is a memorial monument in dedication to the Vietnamese patriotic and revolutionary fighters.  VNS

Hoa Lo prison set to launch unique night programme

The Management Board of the Hoa Lo Prison relic site have announced plans to start a unique programme aimed at providing tourists with a unique experience when learning about the colonial prison, with the scheme set to run from July 24.

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