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A collection of artifacts that are primitive tools and keepsakes used by communist soldier, Hero of the People's Armed Forces Doan Thanh Phuong to escape Phu Quoc Prison - “Hell on Earth” |
The collection includes a piece of a stainless steel mug, a knife, an ear hook, tweezers, and more.
According to information provided by the museum, Doan Thanh Phuong came from Tan My commune, Tra On district, Vinh Long province. He joined the revolution in 1960, at the age of 18. He was a secret guerrilla of the commune and a soldier of Tra On district. In mid-1966, on his way to Gia Kiet hamlet, Tan My commune, he encountered enemy troops, he and his comrades bravely fought. However, they were captured and went through brutal torture by the enemy. Being helpless against the steadfast will of the communist prisoner, in 1968, the enemy exiled him to Phu Quoc Prison.
In the “Hell on Earth,” Phuong actively engaged in the revolutionary movement of communist soldiers captured by the enemy. With the approval and help of the Party organization in Phu Quoc Prison, he secretly cut the stainless steel mug (a tool given to prisoners to hold food and water) to make himself a knife, tweezers, and an ear hook, claiming they were for shaving his beard. In reality, he used these tools to unlock handcuffs. He and some fellow prisoners cut the stainless steel mug into small pieces to dig a secret tunnel leading outside.
During his imprisonment, Phuong attempted to escape from prison four times, but all were unsuccessful, and then he was brutally tortured by the enemy. Despite being beaten to a pulp, he still maintained the spirit of a revolutionary soldier, resolutely fought and encouraged his fellow prisoners to keep their faith in the Party and the revolution.
With his achievements and sacrifices for the revolution, in August 1995, Doan Thanh Phuong was awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces by the Party and the State.
Translated by Quynh Oanh