Poulo Condore Prison, a past that is already past

Known not only as an earthly paradise with beautiful natural beaches, sparkling coral reefs and pristine tropical forests, Con Dao is also a very spiritual tourist destination, a testimony to the tragic history of the country.

Poulo Condore Island is part of the Con Dao Archipelago, located 230 km Southeast of Ho Chi Minh City. Its name comes from the Malay “Pu Lao Kundur” which means “gourd island”. Rediscovered by Marco Polo in 1294, the French tried to settle there for the first time in 1686, then the English in 1702. In 1783, the Treaty of Versailles awarded the archipelago to France.

Built as a central prison on April 1, 1862, by Rear Admiral Bonard, Poulo Condore was intended to receive political and common law prisoners and indigenous prisoners.

Ranked as one of the most frightening places in Asia, the second French penal colony, behind that of Guyana, the penal colony of Poulo Condore is also on the list of the 10 cruelest prisons in the world. For more than 100 years (from 1862 to 1975), nearly 20,000 convicts were imprisoned, tortured and sacrificed there.

The living conditions in the penal colony were particularly harsh. Some prisoners were locked in “tiger cages”, which made them paraplegic, unable to stand up and use their legs. In 1898, a report stated a mortality rate of 70%.

Considering the special historical, cultural and scientific values of the monument, the Con Dao penal colony is classified as a special national relic. The efforts of the authorities and islanders have made this place an extremely attractive and famous tourist destination in Vietnam.

The penal colony is now becoming a well-known tourist site.

Mannequins were placed in some cells to illustrate the conditions of detention.

Related articles:

>> Top 10 tips and tricks for a successful trip to Cambodia

>> Best things to do in Vietnam

>> Tour 3 weeks in Vietnam, an exciting tour of the Dragon

>> Vietnam tour 15 days: What to do? What itinerary ideas do you have?

>> Tour 1 week in Vietnam: Good deals for a 7-day tour in Vietnam

>> Tour in Vietnam in one month: 3 options to absolutely enjoy!

>> Preparations for the traditional Tet, the Vietnamese New Year

>> Tour to the Mekong Delta: itinerary ideas in 1,2,3,4,5,6 days to know

>> Vietnam Cambodia tour 2 weeks: What to do?