Phu Loi Prison – the symbol of bravery

Update: 01-12-2017 | 15:09:28

Fifty nine years ago on December 1, 1958, Phu Loi Prison (aka Phu Loi Center of Training Education or An Tri Vien (center of peaceful mind)), thousands of inmates were poisoned in a notorious incurrence moving millions of peace-loving people around the world.

In 8 years of existence from 1957 to 1964, the prison was named with friendly names but to imprison political prisoners of Vietnam in the so-called ‘hell on earth’ with brutal torture.

According to record, Phu Loi Prison was one of the 4 political training centers in the South of Vietnam. Phu Loi Prison imprisoned 3,340 inmates, Con Son 2,843, Tan Hiep in Bien Hoa Province 1,031, and Thu Duc 934. However, according to record of Vietnamese side, this was one of the 6 largest prisons including those in Thu Duc, Chi Hoa, Tan Hiep, Con Dao and Phu Quoc.

Political inmates were firm with their political determination against mental and physical torture

Now, the war was of the past, Phu Loi Prison has become historical remain of the nation (certified on July 10, 1980). Every year, the site attracts various tourists from inside and outside of the country to visit and learn about the history of struggle of Vietnamese revolutionists. However, the haunting past of Phu Loi Prison, including the world-astounding poisoning incurrence on December 1, 1958, is everlasting to those imprisoned at the place

By the end of 1958, the inmates of Phu Loi Prison were amounted to 6,000 including 1,000 females from all part of the country. The political inmates were those of the most suffering by tortures and 24 rules as the pretext for beating them. Those inmates were offered contaminated foods without treatment to illness.

Those who against flag salute and forced education would be taken to disciplinary chamber to suffer from extremely disciplinary actions with handcuffs, straight sitting and reduced eating.

Poet To Huu in 1959 once wrote about the incurrence to remind of the rage against US Army and its puppet government regarding the massacre at Phu Loi Prison on December 1,1958.

The brutal crimes were covered up by efforts of the US Army and its puppet government. After 1 month of the poisoning, Vietnamese side received calls from international organizations to share the information.

Turning pains into actions throughout the country was initiated to remember Phu Loi event of rage and pains. The movements of central committee of struggling against the poisoning incurrence have triggered the emulation movements in factories, farms, collectives, battle fields, the mass media and art works.

The political inmates were determined against torture and established their Party cells to gather the public fighting against the enemy. The names of Nguyen Van Suu, Nguyen Thi Hoa, Dao Van Tien, etc. are the living witnesses of the crime at Phu Loi Prison.

Later on, Poet Hoang Trung Thong depicted the determined will of political inmates with the belief for victory against torture and crimes.

In the new condition of the war, by 1964, Phu Loi Prison was no more but at sub-zone for military of the US Army and its puppet government to the date of unification on April 30, 1975.

Reported by Thu Thao – Translated by Vi Bao

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Phu Loi Prison – the symbol of bravery

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