Vietnam, renowned for its natural beauty and cuisine, also offers a glimpse of its iconic history at Phu Quoc Prison, showcasing heroism. Phu Quoc Prison, also called Phu Quoc Coconut Tree Prison, lies in Duong Dong Town. It was once the largest political prisoner detention site in southern Vietnam, spanning 400 hectares.
The prison has a capacity of holding 32,000 political dissenters and has held up to 40,000 people including prominent North Vietnamese leaders at its peak. At the prison, you'll witness Phu Quoc's testament to revolutionary sacrifices for Vietnam's independence, justice, and unity, enduringly commemorated.
You will get a glimpse of the gruesome torture that the Vietnamese faced and will know about how they had to withstand it with their unyielding will. If you're planning a trip to Vietnam, consider exploring Vietnam tour packages to include a visit to this historic site and learn about Vietnam's tumultuous past.
Highlights
• Visit Phu Quoc Prison, once the largest place to detain political prisoners in the South of Vietnam.
• Walk into the Exhibition House of Relics to learn about the history and development of the prison and view various artefacts and documents.
• Look at the restored models of different torturing methods represented by life-sized mannequins of prisoners and guards in the B2 section
• Pay Respect to the Monument to martyrs at Doi Sim and take a look at the giant monument carved into the shape of waves and a 2-metre figure of a person.
• Explore the prisoner graveyard of Phu Quoc Coconut Tree prison and look at the monument of a fist erected on a rectangular block.
How To Reach
By Car: The Phu Quoc Coconut Prison is 25.1 km from the city centre of Duong Dong Town. It will take 31 min via the Đ. Nguyễn Văn Cừ/ĐT46 and TL47 route by bike or car.
Best Time To Visit
The Phu Quoc Coconut Tree Prison is a year-round-open destination and you can visit the place at any time of the year from 8:30 am till 11:30 am or between 1:30 pm to 5 pm.
1. Best season: The best season to visit the Phu Quoc Coconut Tree Prison is during the dry season which lasts from November to April. This is the time of the year when the weather is warm and dry without any rainfall, making it ideal for exploring the prison.
2. Best day in the week: The best day in the week to visit the prison is on weekdays. There is less crowd and you will be able to explore the place at your own pace.
3. The best time of the day: The best time of the day to visit the prison is at its opening hour. This allows you enough time to get a sufficient amount of time to explore the whole place.
Other Essential Information
- You will need 1 to 2 hours to cover the whole prison.
- The entry to this place is free for all.
- Since this is a national historical relic, visitors are requested to show their respect by dressing appropriately.
- While exploring the place, you must avoid touching or damaging the artefacts and other display objects.
- The Phu Quoc Prison may not be suitable for children as it contains extreme depictions of violence and torture.
Visit the Prisoner graveyard
Pay a visit to the prisoner graveyard of Phu Quoc Coconut Tree prison which occupies over 2000 sq m of area on a hill and is surrounded by fences. Observe how the graveyard has been designed in the form of a circle with a monument of a fist erected on a rectangular block. Learn that this monument represents the indomitable spirit and sacrifices of its Vietnamese predecessor.
Explore the ruins of Kien Van church
Kein Van Church was the church used by those residing in the Phu Quoc Coconut Tree Prison. It was 4,837 square metres in area and fell into ruin after the Vietnamese war was over. Explore the ruins of the church to look at a few pieces of wall, corner columns, and cement foundations that still exist to date.
Watch Torturing Methods in B2 Section
B2 Section is the part of the prison where you will be able to see the restored models of different torturing methods. In the B2 section, you will see re-enacts of 40 types of gruesome inhumane punishment scenes from inside the old camp. Detainees endured 40 forms of barbaric torture at the jail, including beatings in tie-up positions and waterboarding. Some were subjected to crucifixion and confinement in Casto Tiger cages.
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Pay Respect at the Monument to martyrs at Doi Sim
The Doi Sim martyr's cemetery sits on a 12,420-square-meter plot of land and honours the communist victims who endured brutal torture at Coconut Prison. In the centre of the cemetery is an enormous monument carved into the shape of waves and a 2-metre figure of a person. The monument is a metaphor for the martyrs and Phu Quoc Coconut Tree Prison and means “To people who lost their lives here”.