HANOI, Vietnam — View of the corridor along death row, where prisoners destined for execution were kept in isolation. On either side are doors to the cells. In the distance, down the corridor, is one of the guillotines that the French colonial government used for executions. Hoa Lo Prison, also known sarcastically as the Hanoi Hilton during the Vietnam War, was originally a French colonial prison for political prisoners and then a North Vietnamese prison for prisoners of war. It is especially famous for being the jail used for American pilots shot down during the Vietnam War.
Photograph by David Coleman. Hoa Lo Prison, commonly known as the "Hanoi Hilton," is a historical site located in central Hanoi, Vietnam. Originally built by the French colonial government in the late 19th century, the prison was used to detain Vietnamese political prisoners who opposed French rule. During the Vietnam War, it gained international notoriety when it was used to house American prisoners of war (POWs), including Senator John McCain. The prison's name, "Hoa Lo," translates to "fiery furnace" or "hell hole," reflecting the harsh conditions endured by the inmates. After the war, much of the prison was demolished, but the remaining sections have been preserved and converted into a museum. The Hoa Lo Prison Museum offers a somber insight into Vietnam's turbulent history, featuring exhibits on the French colonial period, the struggle for independence, and the experiences of American POWs. Artifacts, photographs, and personal accounts provide a detailed narrative of the prison's role in Vietnam's past. The site serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience and sacrifice of those who were imprisoned there.
Size: 4930px × 3265px
Location: Hoa Lo Prison, Hanoi, Vietnam
Photo credit: © David Coleman | Have Camera Will Travel / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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