Highlight • Historical Site
Hỏa Lò Prison (Maison Centrale)
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Hiking
by 20 explorers
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PeterStar
December 25, 2025
Hiking
The Hoa Lo Prison (Hỏa Lò) in Hanoi is one of Vietnam's most historically significant and moving landmarks. It offers a profound insight into the country's turbulent history during the French colonial period and the Vietnam War.
The prison was built in the late 19th century (around 1896) by the French colonial rulers to detain Vietnamese resistance fighters and political prisoners. It was infamous for its harsh conditions and the cruel treatment of its inmates.
The prison was built in the late 19th century (around 1896) by the French colonial rulers to detain Vietnamese resistance fighters and political prisoners. It was infamous for its harsh conditions and the cruel treatment of its inmates.
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•Matto
December 7, 2023
Hiking
The "Hanoi Hilton" is also known from survivors such as John McCain and Robinson Risner, who described this place in gory detail, or from the films "The Hanoi Hilton". The prison exhibits focus on the sufferings of Vietnamese revolutionaries who were imprisoned (and sometimes executed) here when the French were masters of Vietnam in the early 20th century.
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•Maik
January 13, 2019
Hiking
The prison "Maison Central" was built in 1904 by the French when Vietnam was part of Indochina under French colonial rule. Most of his prisoners at the time were political agitators and Vietnamese resistance fighters.
During the Vietnam War, the building served the North Vietnamese as a prison for American prisoners of war, notably American pilots. Following the Hilton Hotels was the ironic name of American prisoners of war for the institution "Hanoi Hilton".
The Vietnamese called the prison "Hỏa Lò", which translates as "burning furnace".
During the Vietnam War, the building served the North Vietnamese as a prison for American prisoners of war, notably American pilots. Following the Hilton Hotels was the ironic name of American prisoners of war for the institution "Hanoi Hilton".
The Vietnamese called the prison "Hỏa Lò", which translates as "burning furnace".
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•Routes here
Best routes to Hỏa Lò Prison (Maison Centrale)
8
hikers
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Moderate
8
hikers
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Moderate
8
hikers
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Moderate
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Informations
Elevation -30 m
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Sunday 15 February
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Max wind speed: 11.0 km/h
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