Con Dao Prison & Heritage Trail

then starting historical trip

known as the "hell on earth." With thousands of valuable artifacts, photographs, and documents, the museum offers deep insights into the harsh lives of prisoners and the indomitable spirit of revolutionary soldiers during the resistance era. This is a must-visit destination in Con Dao, where visitors can better understand the past, appreciate the present, and take pride in the resilient spirit of the Vietnamese people.

Once the residence and workplace of island governors—colonial officials under French rule and later the American-backed administration—it stands as a powerful reminder of the island’s past. Built in classic French colonial style and centrally located in Con Dao town, the palace displays a collection of artifacts and photographs that reveal the harshness and control of the former prison system. A visit to the Governor’s Palace not only showcases elegant colonial architecture but also provides a deeper insight into Con Dao’s turbulent history and the resilience of Vietnam’s revolutionary prisoners.

This is where hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese revolutionary prisoners were exiled. It holds legendary stories such as the Rice Grinding Cell, the infamous Dark Room used for torture, and the Con Lon Stone Breaking Area. French Tiger Cages: Explore the solidly built “tiger cage” system, hidden within a labyrinth of inner and outer gates designed to disorient political prisoners and mislead observers. American Tiger Cages: Constructed in 1971, these small, damp confinement rooms were used by the U.S.-backed regime to break the revolutionary spirit of Vietnamese political prisoners. Cow Shed Isolation Area: Originally a livestock area for raising cows and pigs, the site had nine solitary confinement rooms, 24 pig pens, two cow cages, and a manure pit. In 1930, the French converted it into a prison for female inmates. In 1963, the U.S. transformed the pig pens into 24 prison cells.

Located within Hang Duong Cemetery, the grave of national heroine Vo Thi Sau is one of the most sacred sites in Con Dao. Vo Thi Sau was a young revolutionary who was executed by the French colonialists in 1952 at the age of 19 for her involvement in the resistance movement. Her final resting place has become not only a historical landmark but also a spiritual destination where locals and visitors come to pay tribute. Many believe in her spiritual presence and visit to pray for peace, health, and good fortune. At night, her grave glows with offerings of candles and flowers, creating a solemn yet touching atmosphere. Then our car will take you back your hotel