Con Dao Prison becomes special national relic

On March 23, a certificate honouring the prison its new title was handed over to the authorities of southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau province (where Con Dao prison is located), in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan.

Deputy PM Nhan said the title demonstrates the nation's deep gratitude to 20,000 martyrs and heroes, who laid down their lives for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland and for the Communist Party of Vietnam's ideals, making Con Dao the most sacred land in the country.

The title is also a confirmation of the historical relic's great value, contributing to educating younger generations on the nation's heroic history, Nhan added.

A decision to build Con Dao prison was issued in 1862. It encompassed eight prison blocks, each covering 10,000-25,000 square metres, and dozens of auxiliary cells, capable of detaining tens of thousands of prisoners.

Con Dao prison witnessed Vietnamese revolutionaries with staunch spirit endure the brutal torture of French colonialists, and later American imperialists, from 1930 to 1975. It was estimated that one prisoner died every day. Vietnam's outstanding leaders, including late President Ton Duc Thang, late Party General Secretary Le Duan, and late Party General Secretary Nguyen Van Linh were once held in the prison.