# Hoa Lo Prison, Hanoi

> Hoa Lo Prison is a museum in the preserved part of a historic prison built in the late 19th century in central Hanoi, a 10–15-minute walk from Hoan Kiem Lake. Tickets cost 50,000 VND; under-16s go free. It opens daily 8:00–17:00, holidays included. Allow 60–90 minutes, or up to two hours with the audio guide.

Web page: https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/hoa-lo-prison

- City: [Hanoi](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi), Vietnam
- YesGo score: 52/100 (Yes, go)
- Time on site: 1 h 15 min
- Entry: 50,000 VND, under-16s free
- With kids: Better without small kids
- Admission: 50,000 VND; under-16s free; 50% off for over-60s and students with ID
- Hours: Daily 8:00–17:00, including public holidays and Tet
- Last entry: Unofficially around 16:30 — arrive by 16:00
- Audio guide: Rented at the ticket desk; unofficially about 50,000 VND; English available
- Entrance and exit: Unofficial: in through the side gate right of the main gate on Hỏa Lò street, out onto Thợ Nhuộm street
- Night tour: Unofficial: Friday and Saturday around 19:00, about 400,000–500,000 VND, book ahead
- Address: 1 Hỏa Lò, Hoàn Kiếm; in Grab, ‘Nhà tù Hỏa Lò’
- Phone: +84 24 3934 2253, +84 24 3934 2317
- Payment: Bring Vietnamese dong in cash for the ticket desk; don’t count on a card
- Coordinates: 21.02528, 105.84639
- Facts checked: 05.11.2026

## Key facts

- **50,000 VND** — adult ticket; under-16s go free (source: official museum website hoalo.vn)
- **8:00–17:00** — every day, public holidays and Tet included (source: official museum website hoalo.vn)
- **60–90 min** — for a self-guided visit; up to two hours with the audio guide (source: YesGo estimate from vietnamtour.in and travel guides)
- **1896** — the year building began, in the late 19th century (source: official museum website; English and Vietnamese Wikipedia)
- **Maison Centrale** — the French sign over the gate arch, the facade’s signature detail (source: English Wikipedia)
- **No. 1** — the only house number on Hỏa Lò street — the museum itself (source: Vietnamnet; official museum address)
- **South-east wing** — the part of the original complex that survives as the museum (source: official museum website; English Wikipedia)
- **Hanoi Towers** — the high-rises on the rest of the site, a handy landmark behind the museum (source: English and Vietnamese Wikipedia)
- **50% off** — for over-60s, students with ID and people with severe disabilities (source: official museum website hoalo.vn)
- **About 1 km** — from Hoan Kiem Lake, a 10–15-minute walk (source: Wikidata and OpenStreetMap coordinates; vietnamtour.in)

> **New way in, different way out** Unofficially, the museum now runs a one-way route after its renovation: **you enter through the side gate to the right of the main gate** on Hỏa Lò street and **leave onto Thợ Nhuộm street**, on the far side of the block. If you’re meeting someone afterwards or booking a Grab, set the pin at the exit, not at the yellow facade.

## How much is the Hoa Lo Prison ticket?

An adult ticket costs **50,000 VND**, and under-16s go free. Over-60s, students with a student card and people with severe disabilities pay half. These prices are on the museum’s official website and match the Hanoi city resolution that sets fees for its historic sites.

You buy the ticket at the desk by the entrance — there is no need to book a daytime visit. Pay in **cash**: it is quicker and always accepted. Foreign Visa and Mastercard cards work in hotels and bigger restaurants around Hanoi, but small counters are cash-first, so carry dong. Grab takes cash or a card linked in the app.

Older guides still quote 30,000 VND; that price is out of date. The audio guide is extra. Under the city resolution, Hanoi’s historic sites are free for Vietnamese citizens on 23 November; whether that covers foreign visitors is not guaranteed, so ask at the desk.

## Hoa Lo Prison opening hours

The museum opens **every day from 8:00 to 17:00**, public holidays and Tet included, with no weekly closing day. Last entry is unofficially around 16:30, but arriving that late is a mistake: a proper visit takes 60–90 minutes, and rooms start closing in the final half hour.

The quietest time is opening at 8:00 on a weekday. Tour groups build up from late morning, and the narrow corridors get crowded. Mornings are also cooler, which matters because part of the route crosses an open courtyard.

Hoa Lo fits neatly into a central Hanoi morning: the lake and the cathedral first, Hoa Lo next, and the Temple of Literature after lunch.

## What is Hoa Lo Prison?

It is a museum in the preserved part of a historic prison built in the late 19th century in central Hanoi. Only the south-east section of the original complex, including the gatehouse, survives; the rest of the plot is now the Hanoi Towers high-rises. Today it is a history museum with a permanent exhibition.

The signature sight is the **yellow gatehouse** with green shutters and the French words **Maison Centrale** above the arch. Its address is No. 1 — the only number on short Hỏa Lò street.

This is a serious historic site rather than an attraction: it is quiet inside, and visitors keep their voices down.

## What to see at Hoa Lo Prison

- **The gatehouse** — the yellow facade with its arch and Maison Centrale sign, worth a look from the street and from the passage inside.
- **Preserved cell blocks and corridors** — long, thick-walled rooms and narrow passages that show how the building was laid out.
- **Exhibition rooms** — documents, photographs and objects with Vietnamese and English captions; this is where most of your time goes.
- **The courtyard** — an open stretch of the route between buildings, and a place to pause before the next rooms.
- **The perimeter walls** — the tall stone boundary of the old complex is easy to see from the courtyard.
- **Souvenir shop and drinks by the exit** — a short break before you head back into town.

> **How to behave inside** Hoa Lo is a serious history museum, so speak quietly, skip the jokey selfies and don’t pose for comic photos. Museum rules ban smoking and touching or moving exhibits, and large bags must be left in the designated area. There is no formal dress code, but tidy clothes suit the place better than beachwear.

## Is the Hoa Lo audio guide worth it?

Yes, if you want more than the captions. The audio guide is listed among the museum’s services on its official website; unofficially it costs **about 50,000 VND** and is handed out at the ticket desk. The full commentary runs around an hour, which stretches a visit to nearly two hours.

Guides list different languages, but **English, French and Chinese** appear in every list, with Korean, German and Spanish in some. Check at the desk which are available on the day.

The room captions are bilingual but brief, so the audio guide is what turns a walk through rooms into a clear picture of what each space was used for.

## Hoa Lo Prison night tour

In the evenings the museum runs a separate guided programme sold as a night tour. Unofficially it takes place **on Friday and Saturday evenings from around 19:00** and lasts between 70 minutes and two hours, depending on the programme.

Prices vary by source: older reports give 300,000 VND, recent guides **399,000–499,000 VND** depending on the programme. Places sell out one to two weeks ahead, so book early through the museum’s official social media pages or by phone on +84 24 3934 2253.

Ask about the language when you book. Some agencies sell a package with an English-speaking guide and a taxi from your hotel, unofficially from US$28.

## Is Hoa Lo Prison suitable for children?

Under-16s get in free, but the exhibition covers a difficult history and suits teenagers and adults better. With younger children, a look at the facade and courtyard may be enough — or pick a different stop in the centre.

For families with small kids, [Hoan Kiem Lake](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/hoan-kiem-lake) and its lakeside promenade or an evening at the [water puppet theatre](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/hanoi-water-puppet-theatre) are easier choices. If you bring a teenager, decide beforehand: there is a lot of reading and many photographs to take in.

## How long do you need, and is it worth visiting?

Allow **60–90 minutes** on your own, or up to two hours with the audio guide. The museum is compact but has many rooms, and the captions are worth reading.

It is worth it if you’re interested in Hanoi’s history and want a calm, thoughtful visit: it is one of the city’s most visited museums and only 10–15 minutes from the lake. If you have a single day and mainly want beautiful places, the Temple of Literature or a lakeside walk will suit you better.

## How to get to Hoa Lo Prison

1. **Walk from Hoan Kiem Lake** — about 1 km, 10–15 minutes. From the south end of the lake, go one block south on Hàng Bài to Hai Bà Trưng, turn right and walk west for 500–600 m.
2. **Landmark** — the glass Hanoi Towers on Hai Bà Trưng; the museum sits right behind them. Turn left into short Hỏa Lò street and the yellow gate is on your right.
3. **From St Joseph’s Cathedral** — about ten minutes’ walk south.
4. **By Grab or taxi** — about five minutes from the lake. Set ‘Nhà tù Hỏa Lò’ or 1 Hỏa Lò. Grab takes cash or a foreign card linked in the app.
5. **Leaving** — the exit is unofficially on Thợ Nhuộm street; from there it is the same 10–15 minutes east back to the lake.
6. **City buses** stop on the surrounding streets, but for this distance walking is simpler.

## Hoa Lo, Temple of Literature or the Citadel?

|  | Hoa Lo Prison | Temple of Literature | Thang Long Citadel |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| What it is | History museum, late 19th century | Confucian temple from 1070 and first university | Imperial citadel, UNESCO site |
| Ticket | 50,000 VND, under-16s free | 70,000 VND, under-16s free | 100,000 VND |
| Hours | Daily 8:00–17:00 | Daily 8:00–17:00 | Daily 8:00–17:00 |
| Evenings | Fri and Sat around 19:00 (unofficial) | Wed, Sat and Sun 18:30–22:00 | Fri and Sat at 19:00 (unofficial) |
| Time needed | 60–90 minutes | About an hour | 1.5–2 hours |
| From Hoan Kiem Lake | About 1 km, 10–15 minutes on foot | About 2 km, 25–30 minutes on foot | About 2 km, 25–30 minutes on foot |

Temple and citadel details are from their YesGo pages. Hoa Lo is the closest to the lake and pairs easily with the cathedral in one morning.

## Before you go

Tick off what’s ready — your ticks are saved in this browser.

- [ ] Cash in dong for the ticket and audio guide
- [ ] Arrive at opening or by 16:00 at the latest
- [ ] Know the way in: the side gate right of the main gate
- [ ] Leave big bags at the hotel or use the museum’s bag drop
- [ ] Night tour booked in advance, if you want it

## Historic sights in Hanoi

Hanoi’s historic places scored by YesGo.

- [Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/ho-chi-minh-mausoleum) — YesGo score 54/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h · Free
- [Hoa Lo Prison](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/hoa-lo-prison) — YesGo score 52/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 15 min · 50,000 VND, under-16s free
- [St Joseph's Cathedral](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/hanoi-cathedral) — YesGo score 49/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · Free
- [Hoan Kiem Lake](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/hoan-kiem-lake) — YesGo score 46/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free; Ngoc Son Temple 50,000 VND
- [Temple of Literature](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/temple-of-literature) — YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · 70,000 VND, under-16s free
- [Tran Quoc Pagoda](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/tran-quoc-pagoda) — YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · Free
- [Imperial Citadel of Thang Long](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/thang-long-citadel) — YesGo score 39/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · 100,000 VND
- [Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/hanoi-water-puppet-theatre) — YesGo score 38/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · 100,000–200,000 VND

## Central Hanoi morning: lake, cathedral and Hoa Lo

Start with a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, look into St Joseph’s Cathedral, then visit Hoa Lo and finish with the Temple of Literature after lunch. Add it to your route and YesGo sets the times and walks.

1. [Hoan Kiem Lake](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/hoan-kiem-lake) — YesGo score 46/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free; Ngoc Son Temple 50,000 VND
2. [St Joseph's Cathedral](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/hanoi-cathedral) — YesGo score 49/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · Free
3. [Hoa Lo Prison](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/hoa-lo-prison) — YesGo score 52/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 15 min · 50,000 VND, under-16s free
4. [Temple of Literature](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/temple-of-literature) — YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · 70,000 VND, under-16s free

> **Photographing the gatehouse** Shoot the yellow Maison Centrale gate from across Hỏa Lò street in the morning, before the entrance gets busy. The street is narrow, so you need a wide angle to fit it all in. Inside, skip the flash and keep out of other visitors’ way.

## Tips

- Arrive at 8:00: the corridors are emptier and the courtyard cooler before lunch.
- Travel light — large bags have to be checked in anyway.
- If you like context, rent the audio guide; the captions alone are short.
- Book the night tour one to two weeks in advance.
- Arrange to meet at the Thợ Nhuộm street exit, not at the main gate.
- Walk ten minutes on to [St Joseph’s Cathedral](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/hanoi-cathedral) — with the lake, that makes an easy morning.

## Questions

### Where is Hoa Lo Prison?

In central Hanoi at 1 Hỏa Lò street, about 1 km south-west of Hoan Kiem Lake. Look for the Hanoi Towers high-rises on Hai Bà Trưng: the museum is right behind them.

### How much is the Hoa Lo Prison entrance fee?

50,000 VND for adults; under-16s are free, and over-60s and students pay half. Pay in cash at the ticket desk.

### What are Hoa Lo Prison opening hours?

Daily 8:00–17:00, including public holidays and Tet. Last entry is unofficially around 16:30.

### How long do you need at Hoa Lo Prison?

60–90 minutes on your own, up to two hours with the audio guide.

### Is there an audio guide at Hoa Lo Prison?

Yes. Unofficially it costs about 50,000 VND at the ticket desk, with English, French and Chinese among the languages.

### When is the Hoa Lo Prison night tour?

Unofficially on Friday and Saturday evenings from around 19:00, for about 400,000–500,000 VND. It sells out, so book one to two weeks ahead.

### How do I get to Hoa Lo Prison from Hoan Kiem Lake?

Walk 10–15 minutes: south on Hàng Bài to Hai Bà Trưng, right for 500–600 m, then left into Hỏa Lò street. By Grab it is about five minutes — set ‘Nhà tù Hỏa Lò’.

### Where is the entrance now?

Unofficially, after the renovation you go in through the side gate right of the main gate on Hỏa Lò street and leave onto Thợ Nhuộm street.

### Is Hoa Lo Prison suitable for kids?

Under-16s go free, but the exhibition covers a difficult history and suits teenagers and adults better.

### Is Hoa Lo Prison worth visiting?

Yes, if you’re interested in Hanoi’s history and want a calm, thoughtful visit close to the lake. If you mainly want beautiful places, choose the Temple of Literature instead.

## How we checked

Price, concessions, hours, address, phones and rules come from the museum’s official website; the price matches the Hanoi city fee resolution YesGo checked for its other Hanoi pages, which is also the source for free entry for citizens on 23 November. The official site lists the audio guide as a service without price or languages, so those come from travel guides and are marked unofficial; language lists differ even within one guide. The new entrance and exit after renovation are confirmed by one source (Travellive), so they are marked unofficial. Night tour: Friday and Saturday at 19:00 agree in Travellive and vietnamtour.in, but length is given as 70 minutes, 90 minutes or two hours, and price as 300,000 VND in an older report versus 399,000–499,000 VND in a recent guide; we give the range and mark it unofficial. A midday break appears only in a few guides and not in the official hours, so we leave it out. Only one source gives the area of the original and surviving plots, so we leave that out too. By YesGo’s editorial decision this is a practical visitor page and does not describe events or people connected with the site.

## Sources

- Official museum website hoalo.vn — price, concessions, hours, address, phones, visitor rules, audio guide service, construction year
- English Wikipedia: Hỏa Lò Prison — construction years, gate sign, surviving section, Hanoi Towers
- Vietnamese Wikipedia: Nhà tù Hỏa Lò — construction year, Hanoi Towers
- Wikidata Q1359941 and OpenStreetMap — coordinates, distance to the lake
- Vietnamnet — the only house number on Hỏa Lò street
- Travellive (vntravellive.com) — new entrance and exit, one-way route, night tour
- vietnamtour.in — audio guide, last entry, night tour, time needed
- bestpricetravel.com — night tour package with guide and taxi

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