Hoa Lo Prison - Maison Centrale in Hanoi

Just 5 minutes away from the Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel, Hoa Lo Prison is well worth a visit.

Located in the center of the capital of  Vietnam, well-known as one of the most inhumane prisons with terrified punishment, Hoa Lo Prison, aka Maison Centrale, is a symbol of strong will of prisoners and their sacrifice for their communist ideals.

I. History of Hoa Lo Prison

Hoa Lo Prison (now it is called historic relic Hoa Lo Prison) is located at address 1 Hoa Lo Street, Hanoi. In the past, this land was a village specializing in making all kinds of casserole, portable earthen stove,…. so this place is called Hoa Lo village (Hoa Lo means “ fire earthen stove” in Vietnamese).

1. Establishment and Development

Hoa Lo Prison, presently designated as the Hoa Lo Prison Historical Relic, is situated at 1 Hoa Lo Street, Hanoi. The facility’s name derives from the original village that occupied the site, renowned for its earthenware craftsmanship, particularly the production of cooking vessels and portable stoves. The term “Hoa Lo” translates to “fire earthen stove” in Vietnamese nomenclature.

2. Colonial Period Construction

The French colonial administration commenced construction in 1896, officially designating it as the “Central Prison.” The facility occupied 12,908 square meters of former Phu Khanh village territory, including adjacent thoroughfares.

Chronological Development

• 1896-1899: Initial construction phase
• 1912: Integration of juvenile detention facilities
• 1917: Infrastructure modernization
• 1945: Fortification enhancement
• 1954: Redesignation as Hanoi Prisoners Detention Center
• 1964-1973: Utilization for military prisoner detention
• 1993: Partial conversion to commercial development
• 1997: Official historical monument designation

II. Architecture and Structure in Hoa Lo Prison

The Hoa Lo Prison complex encompassed over 12,000 square meters, featuring multiple specialized facilities:

The prison’s perimeter was fortified by a 4-meter high stone wall, 0.5 meters thick, equipped with a high-voltage security system. A 3-meter wide patrol path ran along the inner wall, with watchtowers positioned at all four corners enabling comprehensive surveillance of both interior and exterior areas. All security installations, including iron doors and locking mechanisms, were imported from France.

The main entrance featured a two-story structure with rolling arch architecture. The prison utilized a dual iron gate system, with multiple security checkpoints between compounds, significantly limiting escape possibilities.

Primary facilities included:

• Administrative buildings for prison guards
• Medical facility
• Seven prisoner detention blocks
• Industrial workshops (iron, textile, and leather production)
• Four maximum security cells

The interior layout consisted of narrow, dimly lit corridors leading to confinement areas. These areas were secured by 4-meter tall reinforced doors with sophisticated iron locking systems. Prisoners were secured by chain systems mounted to concrete platforms, with minimal illumination provided through small window apertures.

III. Highlights of Hoa Lo Prison 

The guillotine stands as the prison’s most infamous artifact. Standing 2-4 meters tall, it consisted of wooden supports holding a large blade mechanism. Below, semi-circular boards formed a complete circle to contain executed prisoners’ remains.

The Cachot, considered the most severe confinement area, housed prisoners deemed dangerous or insubordinate. This section was characterized by extreme darkness, confined spaces, and poor ventilation. Prisoners subjected to Cachot confinement often experienced severe physical and psychological deterioration.

IV. What to See and Do at Hoa Lo Prison Museum?

Visitors can take photos, and observe the imprisoned life in the small cells (1.8m x 1.8 m). Windows are always closed and the prison is always full of people. In this prison, you’ll see the horrified iron shackles and many artifacts and photographs of prisoners who are wearing leg chains, and can not stand up or move.

Prisoners often starved, tortured, are always beaten and isolated. Thereby, visitors can understand the spirit of the revolutionary soldiers, and the humanitarian policy of Vietnamese people against the American pilots prisoner in the Vietnam War.

Besides, this has the special architecture style of the French in the 19th century, so you can take photos or simply just enjoy it to know more.

V. How to Get to Hoa Lo Prison

Hoa Lo Prison  is one of the most famous attractions in the capital, so finding and getting to this is so easy by many transportations such as taxi, public bus, motorbike or bicycle. 

This prison is at the corner of Hai Ba Trung Street, in the south of Hoan Kiem Lake, so it can take about 15 minutes (5 km) from the lake to the prison if you drive a motorbike.

VI. Tips on Visiting Hoa Lo 

Essential protocols for visitation:

• Adherence to safety and fire prevention regulations
• Mandatory baggage storage in designated facilities
• Preservation of historical artifacts (no touching or moving exhibits)
• Appropriate conduct in memorial areas
• Restricted incense burning to designated zones

Hoa Lo Prison nowadays is no more used as a function: containing prisoners, but when visiting this place, visitors can feel the patriot ideal of prisoners, harsh punishments in the hell of hell, or just simply understand more about the unique structure of the prison.