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Surrounded by countless buildingsbuildingAmidst the modern pace of life in the capital, Hoa Lo Prison, with its ancient yellow walls stretching along the street, has always stood out and is now attracting even more attention due to the constant stream of visitors. Whether it's a weekday or a holiday, this historical site welcomes many visitors, both Vietnamese and foreign, a large proportion of whom are... young people.
The historical site that attracts the most young people today.
Back in 1896, when Hoa Lo Street (Hoan Kiem District) was still part of Phu Khanh village (Hoa Lo village) – a famous Hanoi craft village specializing in earthenware household items – the French colonialists relocated the villagers along with the village's temples and pagodas to build a prison to detain Vietnamese revolutionary fighters and suppress those who opposed the colonial regime. Today, Hoa Lo Prison has become a historical site and a tourist attraction preserving many valuable aspects of Vietnamese culture.
A significant milestone for Hoa Lo Prison Relic was in July 2020, when it became the first and only historical site – or prison – in Vietnam to launch night tours. Along with the "Sacred Night" tours, the relic's vibrant and youthful approach on online platforms quickly captivated young people and tourists alike.
Since March 2022, when tourism in Vietnam reopened, Hanoi residents have become accustomed to a completely new sight on Hoa Lo Street: a crowded parking lot; young people and families queuing to buy tickets, day or night.
"I feel that the Hoa Lo Prison Relic site has become a destination."hot"And attracting many young people is a positive sign," shared Mai Trang, a university student. Although she has only been in Hanoi for a short time to study, Mai Trang said that she regularly updates herself on and follows the stories from the Monument's Fanpage.
"Many people think that the younger generation today seems indifferent to historical sites, but the reality shows that they are still very interested in history," Mai Trang said.
Aiming primarily at young people, instead of using traditional image promotion methods, Hoa Lo Prison chose a more relatable approach, focusing on developing content on various media platforms such as:Facebook,Instagramand launch your own podcast channel onSpotifyandApple Podcast.
In addition to promoting a positive image, the staff at the historical site have received much praise and support for their enthusiastic service to visitors, with many "thoughtful" guidebooks such as: directions to the prison, how to buy tickets, opening hours, how to use the facilities, and even… weather forecasts.
Media coverage has contributed to making Hoa Lo Prison one of the most popular historical sites in Vietnam today, but what is the actual experience of visiting Hoa Lo Prison like?
The prison experience: both fascinating and haunting.
Most young people, after leaving Hoa Lo Prison, were deeply moved by what they had experienced during their visit. The most impressive aspect was the introduction of the automated audio guide system – a new change that made the experience at the historical site much more enjoyable than before.
From the expressive narration to the vivid sound effects, the old stories are retold in a relatable way, making listeners feel "as if they've wandered back to the war years," haunted by the brutality and cruelty of the French colonialists towards political prisoners, and moved by the beautiful hearts and unwavering will of the revolutionary soldiers to overcome adversity.
Speaking about her experience at the prison, Mai Trang expressed her satisfaction: "I found the visit quite convenient because the site has clear signage and even a map. In addition, the staff at the site were very helpful during my tour."
Although the interior of the prison has been renovated to become an exhibition and tourist attraction, it still frightens visitors due to its cold, cramped, and suffocating atmosphere. The narrow, dark cells, torture instruments, execution chambers, and guillotine are all haunting sights for visitors. Here, many revolutionary fighters perished in the most painful ways, such as execution, death from diseases caused by the damp, unsanitary living environment, or even... madness.
In addition, there are stories told about human kindness and camaraderie that blossomed in this "hell on earth." Many interesting stories are also shared by the historical site: about soldier Nguyen Thi Quang Thai - the first wife of General Vo Nguyen Giap; Ms. Hoang Ngan and her unwavering love for Mr. Hoang Van Thu; or the American pilots imprisoned at the prison during the Vietnam War...
After visiting the historical site, Thuy Duong, a young woman living in Hanoi, shared: "The approach of Hoa Lo Prison is completely different from the historical sites I've visited before. I think..."trend'going to jail' inGen Z"This is the result of the prison's new communication approach."
"However, the current popularity of Hoa Lo Prison, in my opinion, is not just a temporary trend, because a historical site like Hoa Lo Prison itself has many interesting stories and offers profound values. There are always people who knew about the prison before, not through social media, and there are always tourists who consider it a worthwhile destination when visiting Hanoi."
"Personally, after this experience, I consider Hoa Lo Prison a place worth visiting and worth recommending to friends," Thuy Duong shared.
Additional information
Opening hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM daily
Daytime entrance ticket:
+ People over 15 years old: 30,000 VND
+ Students (with student ID cards), severely disabled individuals, people over 60 years old, and those covered by social welfare policies: 15,000 VND
+ Children under 15 years old, people with severe disabilities, and those who have rendered meritorious service to the revolution and are members of associations such as: veterans' associations, resistance movement liaison committees, and prison liaison committees nationwide: free of charge.
Tour "Sacred Night 2: Live Like Flowers"
+ Time: 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM every Friday and Saturday
+ Tour booking methods: message via Fanpage, purchase tickets directly at the monument gate, or call the hotline: 0825112668
Children under 6 years old are not accepted.
