It was a great experience to see what the poor people of Vietnam went through. When Americans thought they were being helpful. At that time. It gives you a greater understanding and respect for such an amazing culture in Vietnam today. We thank you for your amazing hospitality and your kindness I was enjoying your stay here.

I visited Hoa Lo Prison during the week in the morning when they opened and it was not busy. I say, plan an hour max to visit the prison. There are many interesting exhibits here with information that includes English text. This prison has a lot of history, unfortunately nothing good. Life was rough here, especially during the French occupation.

This was my second visit to Hoa Lo Prison but the first for my husband. It was open on Independence Day but was incredibly busy because of that. Last time I came away with an understanding of the horrible conditions Vietnamese people suffered under French colonialism but this time the actual prison area was so crowded it was difficult to stop and read anything. It was less crowded in the section about the American pilot prisoners and in the outside area. There were two new displays there that replaced the ones I had seen last time: one on the 1972 bombing of Hanoi and one on Vietnamese youth involvement in the resistance. These were primarily photos and written material (including English) an both contained quite graphic material.

For anyone with even a passing interest in history. Sad and sombre, it's an important site to visit, to truly understand what the Vietnamese were fighting, to see France's near 70-year 'colonialisation' legacy and what a western country was willing to do, even up to the 1950s. The brutality, even against teenage resistance fighters, and the young toddler children of female prisoners, is awful to grasp. It puts some things into perspective.

Very interesting place. We paid the 50,000vnd for the audio guide and found it very helpful. Signs do have English translations but I think without the audio guide I would have been a bit confused so definitely worth hiring.

Loved it and wave scary then port Arthur in Tasmania Australia. I loved the death cell and the women one. Great audio tour at a cost of $100,000 dong. Lovely staff and also great gift shop.

Part Museum, larger part propaganda. Even though Vietnam's leaders have not acknowledged maltreatment if American prisoners of war the outright misrepresentation of their treatment as very kind and jolly is too much. Some acknowledgement of other stories is needed in any historical museum / exhibition. The statements that only 1 to 2 dozen Hanoi citizens died in the December 72 bombings are contradicted later in the museum and literally incredible. One can therefore credit nothing

I was truly impressed by the comprehensive exhibits and the haunting stories they tell. The prison's transformation from a place of suffering during the French colonial to a poignant reminder of resilience and determination during the American War is striking. The attention to detail in the exhibits and the informative audio guide made my experience much more worth it. Walking through the solemn halls and cells, I feel a sense of reverence for the strength of the Vietnamese people!!! Hoa Lo Prison is an essential stop for history buffs and curious travelers alike!

This is one of the best place to be in hanoi. You get to relive the struggle of the Vietnamese people against French and Americans. It makes you remember about the heroes of the country. It is must to be in here as understanding a country's history is the best way to start your trip. The place is at walking distance from st Joseph's cathedral.

The Hanoi Hilton, is possibly one of the hardest museums I have ever visited. This establishment has seen many deaths, hardships, and torture. It is important to remember the history despite how painful it is. The museum is huge and not even the full size as it once was. Visit on a weekday, the weekends are quite busy and crowded.