Vietnam Military Museum & Hoa Lo Prison: Must-Visit Hanoi Sites

Arranging a trip to Hanoi? Not to be missed are the Vietnam Military History Museum and Hoa Lo Prison, two important locations providing in-depth understanding of the turbulent and colorful past of the city. For those curious in Vietnam’s past and war relics, these sites are a must.

Hoa Lo Prison: A Glimpse into the Past

Hoa Lo Prison

One of the harshest prisons in history, Hoa Lo Prison, has seen the great resolve of Vietnamese revolutionaries and their sacrifice for the nation.

Among the top things on your bucket list to do in Hanoi while traveling, you should see Hoa Lo Prison in addition to sampling some amazing Vietnamese traditional cuisine. Visiting this historical artifact will provide you with a deeper understanding of the lives of Vietnamese revolutionaries during the First Indochina War. This page will give you fascinating details about this important historical place in Hanoi.

History of Hoa Lo Prison

Background of Hoa Lo Prison French colonists first constructed Hoa Lo Prison in the late 19th century to house political prisoners from Vietnam. American POWs infamously referred to it as the “Hanoi Hilton". It housed American POWs during the Vietnam War. As a museum now, it displays the terrible living circumstances endured by the prisoners as well as the unwavering will of those who opposed injustice.

Where is Hoa Lo Prison in Hanoi, Vietnam? How to get there?

Address: No. 1, Hoa Lo Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

A short 15-minute walk from Hoan Kiem Lake, Hoa Lo Prison enjoys a fantastic position in the center of Hanoi. From any location in the city, visitors may therefore readily reach this attraction. Among the widely used modes of transportation are the vehicle, motorbike, taxi, and public bus.

The bus numbers 2, 9, 40, and 49 all stop close to the prison if you would like to take one. Should you own a car, parking is accessible at the Hoa Lo Prison entrance.

Including holidays, Hoa Lo Prison is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission to Hoa Lo Prison is fifty thousand VND each individual.

What to Explore

Exhibits on Vietnamese Revolutionary Heroes: Discover the heroic men and women who battled to free Vietnam. Viewing these displays provides a potent teaching opportunity. It offers perspectives on the larger fight for Vietnamese independence in addition to highlighting individual tales of bravery and sacrifice. These exhibitions are an invaluable tool for students, historians, and anybody else interested in the history of Vietnam to comprehend the intricacies of the nation’s struggle for independence.
Life of American POWs: Understand the experiences of American prisoners through personal items, letters, and photographs. Today, the Hoa Lo Prison Museum dedicates a significant portion of its exhibits to the American POW experience, preserving artifacts such as uniforms, personal items, and photographs. These displays serve as a poignant reminder of the hardships endured and the indomitable spirit of those who were imprisoned there.
French Colonial Era: See the first guillotine and cells used under French control in -depth examination of the nation’s military history is offered by the Vietnam Military History Museum, which also promotes a better knowledge of Vietnam’s independence movement. A must-see for history buffs, it is a veritable gold mine of historical informationn. Including trips to Hoa Lo Prison and the Vietnam Military History Museum into your Hanoi itinerary will deepen your comprehension of Vietnamese history and culture. These places not only honour the past but also arouse a deep respect for the tenacity and bravery of the Vietnamese people. On your Hanoi war remains tour, make sure you see these important sites.

Value of Visiting Hoa Lo Prison

One is poignantly reminded of the bravery and resiliency of people who suffered incarceration when they visit Hoa Lo Prison. All visitors might benefit educationally from this space of contemplation on the battles for justice and freedom. What ought to be

Vietnam Military History Museum: A Journey Through Time

Vietnam Military History Museum

Thousands of displays, pictures, maps, and scale models utilized during Vietnam’s protracted and resilient history may be found in the Vietnam Military History Museum. Remember to include this location to your Hanoi trip itinerary if you are interested in learning about the tremendous achievements of the S-shaped nation.

Overview

Among Vietnam’s oldest museums is the 1956-founded Vietnam Military History Museum. Spreading across more than 10,000 square metres, it is close to the Hanoi Flag Tower. Showcasing items from antiquity to the present, the museum is devoted to Vietnam’s military history.

Information for guests of Vietnam Military History Museum

Save for Mondays and Fridays, the Vietnam Military History Museum is open to all visitors every day. Please find below the details:

Hours of operation: 8:00 am to 11:30 am and 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Entry to Vietnam Military History Museum is 40,000 VND per person.

You should also make note of the following museum rules in order to fully enjoy your visit:

Move as directed by museum personnel, making room for the old and the disabled.
Bring no firearms, explosives, combustible or poisonous materials, or contaminants into the museum.
Leave all personal items, including purses and jewelry, at the left luggage office along with briefcases and rucksacks.
Don’t eat, smoke, or litter in the display area.
Never handle the equipment or exhibits.

Get information about the permitted filming and photo-taking locations by contacting the museum personnel.

Where is the Vietnam Military History Museum? How do I get there?

Address: No. 28A, Dien Bien Phu Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi

The 10,000 square metre Vietnam Military History Museum is situated in the centre of Hanoi. Other well-known sights, such Uncle Ho’s stilt house, the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and Botanical Gardens, are all within a short stroll away.

The museum is accessible by public transportation, motorbikes, and taxis, among other means. Numerous bus lines in Hanoi, including Nos. 9A, 18, 32, 41, and so on, pass the museum. For individuals who live further from the city center, the bus is thought to be the most affordable option. To get around independently, you can also get a bike from your hotel or other rental companies. Note that you ought to get the price and thoroughly inspect the car in advance.

What to Explore

Historical Artifacts: The museum has an extensive collection of military hardware, weaponry, and uniforms from several eras. Numerous historical objects kept in the museum offer a concrete link to Vietnam‘s military past. These items show how military technology developed, how valiant the soldiers were, and what important incidents influenced the history of the country.
Iconic Displays: View the remains of a Vietnam War-era MIG-21 jet fighter, a B-52 bomber, and tanks.
Vietnamese Military Strategies: Find out what techniques and tactics Vietnamese armies have used throughout history. .
Outdoor Exhibits:Take in the portion outside that features huge military vehicles and planes. Aerials, tanks, artillery, landmines, and other relics are among the items in the outdoor area at the base of Hanoi Flag Tower. The remains of airplanes that the Vietnamese army shot down are a feature of this region; one such aircraft is the tail of an American F-111A that plummeted straight into the earth.

Outstanding Displays

Ho Chi Minh Campaign Room: Honors the last fight that resulted in South Vietnam‘s freedom in 1975. The interesting collection of exhibits at the well-designed museum are supported by English language descriptions. But the winners write the history, and the museum presents a very distorted picture that is consistent with communist ideology. This is clear from the way the artifacts look as well as the wording employed, which uses the standard “imperialist puppet troop" descriptions. Comparing the PAVN antiques to the ARVN and South Vietnamese exhibitions, which are kept clean and nearly new, the former always seem to be broken (like the scrap metal wrecks outside), run-down, or looking quite old and unkempt. The information on exhibit makes the museum well worth seeing, but don’t expect it to provide a true, impartial portrayal of the war.
Dien Bien Phu Victory: An extensive display on the 1954 pivotal conflict against French colonial forces. The historic Dien Ben Phu triumph of May 7, 1954, was a spectacular culmination and a magnificent miracle of the Ho Chi Minh era in the history of national creation and defense in Vietnam. This historic turning point and decisive blow from this enormous win totally altered the never-ending conflict situation. The signing of the Geneva Agreement to put an end to the conflict and bring peace to Indochina followedimmediately after the triumph. This one triumph set up the circumstances and willpower for the Vietnamese people to defeat the US in their resistance battle, free the South, and at last unite the nation.
Artillery Collection: An impressive display of artillery pieces used in various conflicts.

Value of Visiting the Museum

An in-depth examination of the nation’s military history is offered by the Vietnam Military History Museum, which also promotes a better knowledge of Vietnam‘s independence movement. A must-see for history buffs, it is a veritable gold mine of historical information.

Conclusion

Including trips to Hoa Lo Prison and the Vietnam Military History Museum in your Hanoi itinerary will deepen your comprehension of Vietnamese history and culture. These places not only honour the past but also arouse a deep respect for the tenacity and bravery of the Vietnamese people. These important sites shouldn’t be missed while touring the war relics of Hanoi.

Don’t forget to regularly follow our Facebook page and Website for more interesting information about traveling to Hanoi and to book Hanoi tours at the best prices.

Amazing Hanoi - Halong Bay - Ninh Binh: 5 days

Genesis cruises halong bay

Ninh Binh Tam Coc

Hanoi people

Hanoi Van Mieu

Hanoi - HCM Mausoleum

Hanoi Bike through rice field

Hanoi Cyclo Tour

Hanoi Farm tours

Halong Bay

Halong Boat

Glory Cruise

Halong islet

Halong Bay

We will explore the most amazing places in the north of Vietnam. First, North Vietnam Hanoi Tour will bring you to explore Hanoi charming city, with a half-day city tour, you will visit the most iconic attractions in Hanoi such as President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, Temple of Literature, Hoan Kiem Lake and the old quarter of Hanoi. After Hanoi, we are going to Tam Coc, Ninh Binh where we visit the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, enjoy the boat trip in Tam Coc and to discover the countryside. For ending two days of Inspirational Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Halong Tour, we will spend one night stay on a cruise to explore the seven natural wonder of the world. Let’s explore the Magnificent North of Vietnam with Impress Travel.

Email:northvietnamtour@impresstravel.com or contact the hotline (Whatsapp, Zalo, Viber, Skype) at +84.912 379 189 – Mr. Alex.

Tours Itinerary

Day 01

HANOI ARRIVAL – GREETING – HANOI CITY TOUR– Private Tour (L)

Good morning, pick you up at Noi Bai International
Airport and transfer to Hanoi Capital city.
Check-in the hotel then have lunch at the restaurant.
Afternoon sightseeing tour begins with a visit to President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum ( closed on Monday and Friday, every afternoon, and whole from 15 June – 15 August, view the outside the building). Inside the mausoleum, there are sightseeing of the Presidential Palace (view from outside), President’s Fishpond, House On Stilts, and One Pillar Pagoda.
Next, we will pay a visit to the Temple of Literature. It is where Confucius – The founder of Confucianism was worshiped. This place as known as the first National University of Vietnam. It is where kings, mandarins, talented people of Vietnam training to the functionary.
Our tour continues with an exciting visit. We will visit one of the most beautiful lakes in Hanoi is Hoan Kiem Lake. Then, we will go to the Ngoc Son Temple, which is in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake.
Continue a short walking tour around the old quarter with a tour guide.

Day Inclusions: Private A/C transfer, English-speaking tour guide in Hanoi, lunch, entrance fee, hotel in Hanoi

Day 02

HANOI – NINH BINH (TAM COC, HOA LU) TOUR (B/L)

Good morning, have breakfast at the hotel.
7.30 – 8.00 AM: Pick you up at your hotel in the Old Quarter and transfer to Tam Coc.
8.00 – 10.00 AM: After two hours of transferring, our tour guide will introduce you to Vietnam as the history, culture, lifestyle of local people. On the conical hat, we will have a mini-game show to teach you how to say and write some Vietnamese simple words such as Xin Chào, Tạm Biệt, Tôi yêu Ninh Bình, etc. We will give you a little souvenir and you can wear it during the trip.
10 AM: We will prepare for a boat trip to visit the beautiful Tam Coc. It takes 1.30 hours rowing along the Ngo Dong river through the three mysterious caves. You can enjoy spectacular scenery surrounded by rice paddies and towering limestone mountain peaks.
11.30 AM: We will get on Thanh pier for a short walk to visit Thai Vi Temple, which is one of the well-known temples in Ninh Binh, Vietnam. We will continue 10 minutes walking along majestic valley with rice fields, rivers and lotus ponds for Tam Coc Nature Lodge where we will relaxing
Enjoy your lunch in here – Vietnamese food.
1.30 PM: you have a chance to be a fisherman and learn how to catch the fish in the pond or river.
2:00 – 3:00 PM: We ride a bike to Thung Nang, along the river among the rice field, lotus ponds, and limestone Mountains. We will continue to through a peaceful Dan Khe Trong village. This area is a real picture of the rural countryside in the north of Vietnam.
15: 00: Return the van, drive to visit Hoa Lu Ancient citadel which was built in the 10th century, and the temple dedicated to King Dinh and King Le
4:00 PM: Back to Hanoi Capital.
18:30: Arrive in Hanoi & we will drop you at your hotel in the Old Quarter.
Have dinner is available on your request.
Overnight at the Hanoi Hotel.

Day Inclusions: Car/Mini-Van, Outstanding English speaking guide, Lunch – Vietnamese Cuisine at Tam Coc Nature Eco Lodge, All sightseeing tickets, Good bike with gears, 02 bottles of Mineral water, Services charges and government tax, Rowing boat to visit Tam Coc, One conical hat as souvenir, Demonstration of teaching to learn how to write, speak Vietnamese, and catch fish

Day 03

HANOI – HALONG CRUISE (B/L/D)

Good morning! Enjoy your with have breakfast at your hotel, then check-out the hotel.
07:30 am – 08:00: Pick up from your hotel to travel to Halong Bay (notice: pickup time can be a bit flexible depending on each different Cruise, distance Hanoi – Halong bay is 160km, a stop for break time on halfway for a refreshment).
You enjoy the drive and sightseeing the peaceful countryside scenery during the bus trip (4 hours), we arrive at the Ha Long bay seaport at around noontime.
12h 30: You will aboard the cruise, check-in & enjoy a welcome drink while your cabin will be assigned.
Check-in your cabin and put your luggage in, relax and may do a short inspection tour by moving around the cruise to discover about the cruise’s architecture & design
Enjoy the sumptuous lunch with fresh seafood meal while cruise slowly gliding out into the Halong bay.
15h00 – 16h00: Explore the amazing Sung Sot Cave – the most beautiful cave in Halong Bay.
16h00 – 17h00: Cruising to Titop Island. Go swimming and relaxing at the beach of Titop or climb up to the top of the island for a view panorama of Halong Bay.
17h00 – 17h30: Return to the boat, enjoying beautiful seascape on the way.
17h30 – 19h00: Enjoy Sunset Party on the sundeck and admire the best moments of the day when the sun starts to set.

Day Inclusions: Hotel breakfast, shuttle bus A/C transfer, English speaking tour guide on CRUISE only, entrance fee, full board, joint Cruise in Halong bay with private cabin (2 persons share 1 cabin)

Day 04

HALONG BAY – HANOI (B/L)

Start your day with Tai Chi exercises or a photo hunt.
07h00 – 07h30 Have breakfast on board and enjoy the peaceful morning of Halong Bay.
08h30 – 09h30 Kayak among the hidden areas of the bay, around the Drum Cave.
09h45 Return to the boat. Freshen up and check out of your cabin.
10h00 – 10h30 Continue your cruise exploring the Bay, passing Ba Hang fishing village, Dog Islet, and more.
10h30 – 11h30 while heading back to the harbor, watch the fruit carving demonstration and participate in the Cooking Class before enjoying a traditional Vietnamese lunch.
11h45 – 12h00 Disembark V’Spirit Classic.
12h15 – 12h30 Transfer back to Hanoi.
About 16:00 – Arrival back to Hanoi central city, recheck in the hotel
Dinner is available on your request.
Free time & Overnight in Hanoi city

Day 05

HANOI CITY CENTER TO NOI BAI AIRPORT – DEPARTURE (B)

Good morning, enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Then, you have some free time to explore Hanoi city before going to Noi Bai airport for your scheduled flight.
The end of the tour, thank you and see you again!

What’s included in this trip :

A/C accommodation with DOUBLE or TWIN ROOM (2 persons share 1 room; single room can be available on request) with daily breakfast
A/C transfer from Airports to the hotel and other tourist destinations according to the itinerary
Bus round trip to Hanoi – Ha Long Bay; (private land transfer available on request)
2 days 1 night on Joint Cruise trip in Ha Long Bay, with DOUBLE or TWIN (2 persons share 1 cabin; single cabin can be available on request), full meals on board
Kayaking in Ha Long Bay
Meals as indicated in the itinerary. (Breakfast = 04; Lunch = 04; Dinner = 01)
English- speaking guides as specified (Chinese/ Malaysian speaking guide can be available on request)
Entrance fees
Mineral water (2 bottles/ per day with sightseeing tour)

What’s excluded in this trip:

All international and domestic flights
Specified as Chinese/ Malaysian/ Indonesian/Thai speaking guide can be available on request to pay for extra-fee.
Travel Insurance
Airport taxes
All meals not mentioned
Tips for tour guides, drivers, crew members in Ha Long Bay, other attendants if may have (3 USD/pax/day)
Other personal expenses not mentioned.

3 STAR HOTELS & CRUISES IN VIETNAM SELECTED

Destination

Room Type

HOTEL NAME, ROOM TYPE & WEBSITE

Hanoi 3-star Hotels

Adamas Deluxe City

ADAMAS HANOI HOTEL
Refer: http://swancruiseshalong.com/

3-star Halong Bay Cruises

Swan Cruise Deluxe

SWAN CRUISE HALONG BAY

Refer: http://swancruiseshalong.com/

4 STAR HOTELS & CRUISE IN VIETNAM SELECTED

Destination

Room Type

HOTEL NAME, ROOM TYPE & WEBSITE

Hanoi 4-star Hotels

The light deluxe with window

THE LIGHT HOTEL HANOI

Refer: thelighthotelhanoi.com/en/

4-star Halong Bay Cruises

Sealife Suite Canbin

HUONG HAI SEALIFE CRUISE HALONG BAY

Refer: www.sealifegroup.com

5 STAR HOTELS & CRUISE IN VIETNAM SELECTED

Destination

Hotel Category

HOTEL NAME, ROOM TYPE & WEBSITE

Hanoi 5-star hotels

Deluxe Sketch Apricot Hotel

APRICOT HOTEL HANOI

Refer: apricothotels.com/room/sketch

5-star Halong bay Cruises

Deluxe Room with Ocean View Margaret

MARGARET CRUISE HALONG BAY

Refer: https://margaretcruises.com

The hotels and cruise are subject to change to similar category in case of fully booked

Vietnam Travel Map: 15 Days

Ranana

You feel like organized tour, but you are in a privet tour. Impress Travel make the different.

We went on a private trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, the whole trip plan was organized for us by the Impress Travel Company from Vietnam, the company did an amazing job, the whole trip was organized in a wonderful way with an amazing match between the various parties, their choices were correct and the quality of the hotels chosen were very high quality and it is important to note that the price was low in comparison To other agencies, thanks to Impress Travel and especially to Daniel who was tolerant and open to changes and organized the route for us.

Ebrahim

Tour of Vietnam

Impress travel were amazing. Did my bookings with Daniel for our tour of Vietnam and I must say Daniel was very professional and prompt with his services. All the arrangement, plans, pick-up & drop-off services, hotels, vehicles, sightseeing tours and guides were spot on and excellent. Did 4 nights Hanoi, 1 night Hà Long Bay cruise, 3 nights Hoian, 4 nights Saigon and 1 night in Can Tho. It was totally awesome. Every part of the journey was superbly arranged and planned. I will highly recommend Impress Travel for anyone interested in visiting Vietnam. Very organized and reliable!

Solly Pochee

The tour was fantastic

I booked with Impress Travel in July. My contact person was Tommy Thang. He is an amazing person. He was very helpful. He changed my program twice for me. Very accommodating!
We started our holiday in the north (Sapa)of Vietnam and travelled down to HCMC.
The tour was fantastic, Tommy's arrangements were to the"T".
I will always use them if I have to visit the area again and recommend them to one and all.
Thank you once again Mr.Tommy and the Impress Team.
Sulaiman Pochee

Bernard Lim

Great value for money with 4 stars hotel

Great value for money with 4 stars hotel accommodation for 4 couples. The tour guide has been very helpful and brought us to amazing places in Sapa. We want to thanks Thuy the tour guide and especially Mark from Impress Travel for his great service and assurance throughout our trip. We’ll definitely use his service for other tour packages in other parts of Vietnam.

Derek.Schooling

We enjoyed our holiday with Impress travel

This is the second time we travel to Vietnam with IMPRESS Travel. First time, we booked our holiday to Hanoi, Halong Bay & Sapa during Dec 2018 with Impress.
Second time, we travel to Hoi An, Hue & Danang (Central Vietnam) during Jan 2019.

My friends & I are very glad & happy with all the hotels stay in Central Vietnam, the meals provided are delicious. We are greatly appreciated with all the tour arrangement by Tommy & his team (tour guide).
Especially, Mr. NHAT C.V. He is helpful, cheerful, knowledgeable and very professional. He always volunteer to take a nice pictures for six of us (group) .

We enjoyed our holiday with Impress travel. We will definitely come back to Vietnam again with Impress