🏛️ Culture

Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton)

Hanoi, Vietnam

About Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton)

Built by the French in 1896 to hold Vietnamese political prisoners, later used to hold American POWs during the Vietnam War including John McCain. The remaining structure is now a museum with sobering exhibitions on both chapters of history.

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📍1 Hoa Lo Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam

📞+84 24 3934 2253

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Why it works for solo travelers

✓ Comfortable to visit on your own.
✓ Budget-friendly ($).

More solo-friendly culture in Hanoi →Hanoi solo travel guide →

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More Culture in Hanoi

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Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple

The spiritual and geographic heart of Hanoi. The lake (meaning "Lake of the Returned Sword") is steeped in legend. The red Huc Bridge leads to Ngoc Son Temple on a small island. The morning tai chi sessions around the lake are unmissable.

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Temple of Literature

Vietnam's first national university, founded in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius. The Temple of Literature is a superb example of traditional Vietnamese architecture - five walled courtyards with lakes, gardens, and stone steles honoring doctoral graduates.

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Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

The preserved body of Ho Chi Minh lies in state in this imposing Soviet-built granite mausoleum in Ba Dinh Square - where he declared Vietnamese independence in 1945. A deeply significant site for Vietnamese people; visitors must dress conservatively and maintain silence.

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