Phu Quoc Prison attracts 10,000 tourists every year, and many of them used to be soldiers in the Vietnam War. Although the war has passed, this place still receives a lot of attention from domestic and international tourists. This article will give you a brief about Phu Quoc Coconut Prison before visiting the place.
1. About Phu Quoc Prison
- Opening hours: 8:30 am - 11:30 am | 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm.
- Visiting time: 1-2 hours
- Entrance fee: Free
Phu Quoc Prison Camp and Phu Quoc Coconut Tree Prison are different names for the prison located in the south of Phu Quoc island. It is located at 350 Nguyen Van Cu Street, An Thoi Ward, Duong Dong Town, Phu Quoc Island.
During the Indochina War, it was named Phu Quoc Coconut Tree Prison. Phu Quoc Coconut Prison was the national prison of the Republic of Vietnam, which captured 32.000 prisoners. In 1995, the Vietnamese Minister of Culture and Information had officially certified Phu Quoc Prison as a Special National Relic.
2. Phu Quoc Prison's history
2.1 Phu Quoc Prison during French colonialism in Vietnam
The prison was built in 1946 when the French army invaded Phu Quoc Island. At that time, the area of the prison was 40 hectares and divided into 4 sections A, B, C, D. It was considered to be the largest prison in South East Asia then.
Phu Quoc Prison Camp was carefully guarded, surrounded by barbed wire and protective light. All the guards were well-equipped with guns.
Until 4/1954, Phu Quoc Coconut Prison had 14.000 prisoners, most of whom were male. 99 Vietnamese soldiers died in that period at this prison because of the French army’s torture.
After Geneve Agreements in 1954, the French returned the ownership of the prison and the prisoners to the Vietnamese government.
2.2 Phu Quoc's Coconut Tree Prison during the Vietnam War
In 1955, after Phu Quoc Prison was transferred to the government of The Republic of Vietnam, another prison of about 4 hectares was built next to Phu Quoc Prison camp. It was then renamed Coconut Tree Prison and divided into different areas for male, female, and the elderly.
More barbarous tortures were conducted on the communist soldiers’ bodies, such as Phu Quoc Prison tiger cage, nails hammering to foreheads or knees or high-voltage electrical shock.
During the Vietnam War time, thousands of soldiers were dead, and tens of thousands of people were permanently wounded.
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3. What to explore at Phu Quoc Island's Coconut Prison in Vietnam?
Visiting Phu Quoc Prison offers a profound and unforgettable experience, reflecting on its dark history and the resilience of its prisoners. Covering 400 hectares, the prison features nearly 500 buildings divided into 12 main areas and 10 additional sections, each capable of holding around 3,000 inmates.
The site, surrounded by barbed wire and watchtowers, is infamous for its brutal torture methods, including smashing prisoners' teeth, water submersion with beatings, and severe physical abuse. Additionally, prisoners were confined in numerous "tiger cages" for outdoor imprisonment.
Despite these barbaric conditions, the spirit and resilience of the prisoners remained unbroken. Many attempted daring escapes, using everyday items like metal spoons and containers to dig tunnels and break free. The exhibits at Phu Quoc Prison serve as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made for peace and independence, offering visitors a sobering view of the cost of freedom and the strength of those who fought for it.
4. Historical relics that remain in Phu Quoc Prison, Vietnam
- Prisoner graveyard
The prisoner graveyard at Phu Quoc Coconut Tree Prison is 2000m2 big and 1 kilometer away from the prison - B2 section. The graveyard was designed in the form of a circle with a monument of a large fist representing the heroic spirits of its Vietnamese predecessor.
Kien Van church
Kien Van Church at Phu Quoc Coconut Tree Prison was 4000m2 big. However, there are just concrete ruins now.
- Exhibition house of relics
The exhibition house of relics at Phu Quoc Coconut Prison has 2 separate rooms. One room contains the history and development of Phu Quoc Coconut Tree Prison alongside some artifacts. The other holds 100 pictures and documents of how Vietnamese revolutionary soldiers were tortured.
- B2 Section
B2 Section is where the tourist can see restored models of different torturing methods. There were 40 types of different brutal tortures used to punish Vietnamese revolutionary soldiers.
Monument to martyrs at Doi Sim
The monument was designed with the figure of a person walking out of 2 waves, which is 5 meters high. The monument is a metaphor of the martyrs and Phu Quoc Coconut Tree Prison.
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5. How to get to Phu Quoc Prison?
Phu Quoc Coconut Prison is 29km away from the south of Duong Dong Town. Tourists can get there by bike, car, or bus. Thus, it is recommended for you to get to Phu Quoc Prison Camp by rental bikes or cars.
In order to get to the destination from Duong Dong Town, you need to take Cach Mang Thang 8 Street, turn left at DT45 street and continue to go until you reach the t-junction where Dien May Phu Quoc is located. From the t-junction, tourists take a left turn to DT47 street. At Ham Ninh roundabout, you need to turn left to DT46 and go for about 16 kilometers until you reach Phu Quoc Coconut Tree Prison.
6. Accommodations when traveling to Phu Quoc Prison
On Phu Quoc Island, there are plenty of tourist attractions. Therefore, it is necessary to choose a hotel in a convenient location that allows you to combine different tourist destinations on your trip so that you can enjoy the trip to the fullest.
Vinpearl Phu Quoc delivers a unique blend of natural beauty and 5-star luxury. Guests can savor exquisite dining experiences while enjoying an array of amenities, including a stunning outdoor swimming pool, a tennis court, a state-of-the-art gym, a kids' club, and delightful beachside restaurants.
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Vinpearl Resort & Spa Phu Quoc is also connected to other entertainment amenities as VinWonders Phu Quoc, Vinpearl Golf Phu Quoc, and Vinpearl Safari Phu Quoc.
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7. Tips when visiting Phu Quoc Island's Coconut Prison in Vietnam
Visitors should notice the following when visiting Phu Quoc Coconut Tree Prison:
- Visitors are advised to wear politely since this is a national historical relic.
- Don’t litter.
- Avoid touching the artifacts.
- The place is so vast that it is challenging to find a nearby food court, so you should prepare some snacks and water in advance.
Phu Quoc Prison brings historical memories to life and is a special place holding Vietnamese stunning historical moments. Therefore, if you would like to explore more about war time in history, head to Phu Quoc Prison to view history in the most lively way.
