Con Dao Prison Complex

The Con Dao Prison Complex were established by the French in 1861 on the Con Dao archipelago. It was primarily constructed to house prisoners who had committed significant crimes and were deemed dangerous by the French colonial authority. They were later utilized, however, to detain political opponents. In these jails, detainees were abused and tormented. These jails were used for the same purpose by the US and South Vietnamese regimes in the 1960s and 1970s. The Tiger Caves, which were discovered much later, are a major attraction in this prison complex.

Although Con Dao Prison Complex have been closed, tragic memories cast a foreboding shadow over this peaceful town. Between 1863 and 1975, the complex was known as "the actual hell on earth," and it housed tens of thousands of Vietnamese inmates who tortured and perished at the hands of French colonials and, subsequently, the US-backed South Vietnamese government. Mannequins bound and deformed bring the terrifying sensation to life.

The jail complex is now a major tourist attraction and one of the most beautiful historical sites in Vietnam, with mannequins positioned to depict the atrocities endured by the inmates. This jail facility is typically free to enter, however there may be a VND 20,000 admission fee on occasion.

Location: Con Dao Prison, Con Dao Island, Vung Tau.