Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sights
All the following sights are in Con Son Town, share the same opening hours and are
covered by a single ticket costing 20,000d, which you can purchase at Phu Hai. There are
11 former prisons on Con Son.
HISTORIC SITE
Phu Hai Prison
( 7-11.30am & 1-5pm)
The largest of the 11 jails on the island, this prison dates from 1862.
Thousands of prisoners were held here, with up to 200 prisoners crammed into each de-
tention building. During the French era all prisoners were kept naked, chained together in
rows, with one small box serving as a toilet for hundreds. One can only imagine the squal-
or and stench. Today, emaciated mannequins that are all too lifelike recreate the era.
Tiger Cages
The notorious cells dubbed 'tiger cages' were built in 1940 by the French to incarcerate
nearly 2000 political prisoners. There are 120 chambers with ceiling bars, where guards
could poke at prisoners like tigers in a Victorian zoo. Prisoners were beaten with sticks
from above, and sprinkled with quick lime and water (which burnt their skin and caused
blindness).
HISTORIC SITE
Hang Duong Cemetery
Some 20,000 Vietnamese prisoners died on Con Son, and 1994 of their graves can be seen
at the peaceful Hang Duong cemetery, located at the eastern edge of town. Sadly, only 700
of these graves bear the name of the victim.
Vietnam's most famous heroine, Vo Thi Sau (1933-52), was buried here, the first wo-
man executed by a firing squad on Con Son, on 23 January 1952.
CEMETERY
Revolutionary Museum
( 7-11am & 1.30-5pm)
Located in the former French commandant's residence, this mu-
seum has exhibits on Vietnamese resistance against the French, communist opposition to
the Republic of Vietnam, and the treatment of political prisoners. You'll also find a paint-
ing of Vo Thi Sau (facing death with her head held high), a diorama of the Con Daos, and
some stuffed wildlife, including boa constrictors, lizards and monkeys.
MUSEUM
Beaches
BEACH
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