Son La Prison was built in 1908, located on top of Khau Ca hill, belonging to group 9 (To Hieu ward, Son La city, Son La province).
From the initial area of 500m2, Son La Prison continued to be expanded in the 1930s – 1940s. After three expansions, Son La Prison has a total area of 2,184m2, including 3 major items: Son Prison La, Son La Prison Martyrs Cemetery and Ban Heo Banyan Tree.
Son La prison became the place of revolutionary activities of patriotic communist soldiers.
The French colonialists took advantage of this “sacred forest of poisoned water” to build and turn Son La Prison into a “hell on earth” to imprison, exile and destroy the fighting will of Vietnamese communists.
Overcoming the shackles and crimes of the French colonialists, steadfast communist soldiers turned the imperial prisons into revolutionary schools, turning cold cells into warm, comrade-in-arms nests of fellow prisoners. .
Son La prison was designed by the French colonialists with 49 different large and small cells. In the cells, the French colonialists designed a system of floating toilets.
Although built in a septic way, but the toilet is built higher than the floor, there is no cover, no flushing water, prisoners’ waste is stored inside. Because it is not cleaned regularly, the environment is very bad. pollution.
The tour guide introduces visitors to the special national relic Son La Prison.
The French colonialists also designed special cells, called “floating cells on the ground”. With a length of about 1.6m, width and height are also more than 1m and at the end of the rooms there is a compost bin without a lid.
At the highest point, in this special cell, the French colonialists held up to 4 prisoners. At that time, prisoners could only stand stooped, sit with their knees bent or take turns lying down. The plot of the French colonialists was to cause psychological inhibition to prisoners.
The architecture of Son La prison was previously solidly built, the walls were built of stone and bricks, 40-60 cm thick, the roof was covered with tile or corrugated iron, but there was no ceiling system. In the summer, the Lao winds of the northwest region cause “burning” heat, in the winter the frosts cause “bone-and-bitten” cold.
The artifacts are kept at Son La Prison.
During 15 years (1930 – 1945), the French colonialists held 14 groups of political prisoners, with a total of 1,013 prisoners here.
Son La prison has become a place to train and foster excellent communist soldiers, contributing to the victory of the August 1945 General Uprising, typically comrades: To Hieu, Le Duan, Truong Chinh, Nguyen Luong Bang, Van Tien Dung, Le Duc Tho, Nguyen Van Tran, Le Thanh Nghi, Tran Quoc Hoan,…and many other comrades.
In particular, Son La Prison is the place where comrade To Hieu – Secretary of the Party cell, a faithful communist soldier has sacrificed, the peach tree named after him on the wall of Son La Prison has become a symbol for the spirit of the spirit. the indomitable spirit of struggle, the unyielding will of communist soldiers at Son La Prison.
In 1962, Son La Prison was classified as a National Monument. However, during the war against the US, through 2 times of enemy bombs, many items of the monument were badly damaged. By the end of 1980, Son La Provincial Museum restored the prison according to the old vestiges. At the end of 2014, when Son La Prison was ranked as a special National Monument.
Mr. Pham Van Tuan, Deputy Director of the Provincial Museum, said: The Museum of Son La Province was established in 1985 on the basis of the former Museum of the Northwest Autonomous Region. From the date of establishment until July 2020, the office is located in the premises of the special national relic area Son La Prison and is assigned to directly manage, exploit and promote the value of the national monument. Special staff at Son La Prison.
According to statistics, the unit is currently displaying and storing 209 documents and artifacts related to Son La Prison Relic.
The French colonialists turned Son La Prison into a “hell on earth” to imprison communist soldiers.
In addition to implementing the directives of the superiors on the approval, planning, renovation, restoration and promotion of the value of the relic, the Provincial Museum also collects materials and artifacts at the facilities. Research agency on the system of museums and monuments throughout the country such as Hoa Lo Prison Relic Management Board, Con Dao Prison Relic Management Board, etc.
In the coming time, in addition to training and fostering a team of staff who do interpretation work at the monument, the Provincial Museum will continue to innovate and diversify forms of activities.
In the immediate future, it is necessary to renovate the display form at relics and traveling exhibitions in the province and carry out experiential education activities, in collaboration with museums and relic management boards throughout the country such as Bao Loc, Dong Nai, etc. National History Museum, Ho Chi Minh Museum, Ethnology Museum,…
Where the French colonialists detained patriotic communist soldiers.
Coming to Son La Prison, tourists will witness hundreds of artifacts, torture tools – living evidences of the barbaric crimes of the old colonial regime against communist soldiers such as: cuffs hands, iron chains, sharp clamps…
Currently, Son La Prison still leaves the underground cells, cross cells, two prisons, three prisons, and special cells only 1.2m2 wide , where communist soldiers used to be. In addition, visitors will be moved when standing in front of a peach tree named after the faithful communist soldier To Hieu.
Every year, Son La Prison welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors to visit, study and study.
Mr. Dinh Van Ngoc, Van Yen village (Tan Phong commune, Phu Yen district, Son La province): “I’ve heard a lot in books and newspapers, but today is my first time coming here. Seeing the reality of the brutality of the regime The French colonialists left them to the communist soldiers, I was touched, admired and admired by the will and steadfast energy of the communist soldiers who were captured and imprisoned by the French in Son La. this.
Despite being brutally tortured, they remained steadfast, did not yield to the enemy, always believed in the Party’s lines and policies, and believed in the victory of the revolution so that they could defeat the invading enemy. strategy, bringing prosperity to the country and the people. If I have the opportunity to come here a few more times, I will invite more relatives, family and friends to come here to visit, learn and be an opportunity to educate thought and morality for future generations.”
Source: Collected internet.