PANO - 60 years have passed since the day Hanoi was liberated, October 10th 1954. Though a lot of change has been made, the arduous struggle has never faded away in the memories of Hanoi citizens. Even the dark and cold prison of Hoa Lo those days could not deter the patriotism of the political prisoners and the people of Hanoi and the whole country in the liberation of the capital, putting an end to the domination of the French over Vietnam.

The People's Army Newspaper Online would like to present some images of Hoa Lo prison, the well-known historical relic once used by the French colonials to detain Vietnamese patriots.

The panorama of the prison (1896-1954).
Section of the jail where the French police detained and tortured patriots.
Crown Court where the French colonials tried Vietnamese patriots.
Design sketch of Hoa Lo prison. All the metal, including locks, used for the prison had to be imported from France with the highest quality and approved by architects.
Main gate to the prison.
Cachot (dark cell) (left) in Hoa Lo prison where disciplined patriots were kept. Cell 1 (right) for death convicts.
Strong walls and fences around Hoa Lo (5 meter high and 0.5 meter thick walls strengthened with broken glass and barbed wire).
K Area where male political prisoners were kept.
Watchtowers were erected around the prison with guards on 24/24.
The mess where rotten rice was cooked for the prisoners.
High-voltage wires were set up on the walls around Hoa Lo to prevent prisoners from escaping.
Guillotine used to behead Vietnamese patriots.
Bricks and tiles used in Hoa Lo.

 

Translated by Huu Duong