The gate to the Hoi An Prison site
Located at 242/12 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, the prison was built in 1960 by US forces and the South Vietnamese administration under the name Xom Moi Prison and remained in use until March 1975.
Once considered a hell on earth, it was used to detain Vietnamese revolutionaries during the war. Although designed to hold about 500 inmates, records show that more than 1,000 people of all ages, including older people and children, were confined there.
Prisoners endured brutal torture
Prisoners endured brutal torture intended to break their spirit and extract information, including beatings, nail driving, burning with alcohol, and solitary confinement in cramped, dark cells. Many suffered permanent injuries or lifelong trauma.
On March 27, 1975, one day before the liberation of Hoi An, Vietnamese forces attacked the prison, freeing thousands of political prisoners.
In 2012, the site was restored, with key sections including the main gate, office building, male prison block, infirmary, and perimeter walls. A new exhibition space, inaugurated in late 2023, showcases over 150 photos, documents, and artefacts that recount the prison’s history and the resilience of those held there.
Visitors to the site
In addition to historical displays, the site also presents original tools once used for torture, offering visitors a stark reminder of the hardships endured and the determination of Quang Nam residents and revolutionaries from across Vietnam.
