Hoa Lo Prison ( Hanoi Hilton )

We visited the Hoa Lo Prison in Hanoi, aka the Hanoi Hilton. The French built it in 1894, and used it to house anti-colonial Vietnamese. The North Vietnamese used it as a prison for US Prisoners of War from 1961 to 1973.

Most of the prison was torn down to make way for an office building a few years ago. We visited the part of it that survives as a museum.



The worst hotel in town. Ask anyone who stayed there.



Replica of prisoners in one of the larger rooms.



Guillotine used by the French.



Inner courtyard.



The actual helmet and boots John McCain was wearing when he was shot down over Vietnam, before he was sent to the Hanoi Hilton for a terrible five year stay.



John McCain's flight suit.



Water kettle used by US Prisoners.



The prisoners " suffered no revenge " and " were well treated ".