Hoa Lo Prison translates to Hell’s Hole. The prison was built by French colonialists in the late 1880’s when Vietnam was still part of French ruled Indochina. The French referred to it as Masion Centrale which is what their prisons in France were called. When Vietnam broke free from the French in 1954 it fell under the control of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.
But - then there was the Vietnam War, and for the US pilots from the B52 Bombers that were captured and had extended stays? It was sarcastically referred to as the Hanoi Hilton. From the beginning, U.S. POWs endured miserable conditions, including poor food and unsanitary conditions. TheThe Hỏa Lò was used by the North Vietnamese Army to house, torture and interrogate captured servicemen, mostly American pilots shot down during bombing raids. It should be said that Vietnam accused the Americans of the same treatment and torture of their war prisoners in southern Vietnam.
It was a fascinating tour and it was strange for me to be standing in the place that John McCain was held in for 5 years. In 2000 the US and Vietnam became buddies and even McCain himself returned to the prison.
What was also fascinating was the “spin” on the history that was presented by the museum (communist country). The Americans were happy as clams playing volleyball and smoking pipes - Ha! Ha! A grain of salt is needed here for sure… but many prisoners did have some good things to say once released…
Finally, I wandered through the museum/prison next to some obviously American gentlemen that were likely 60ish. It made me wonder what they were thinking as they read the same “history” I did.
An interesting piece of history that I feel blessed to have had a chance to visit.