The Phu Quoc Prison, also known as the Coconut Tree Prison (Nhà lao Cây Dừa), was first built by the French colonial authorities around 1949–1950. It was greatly expanded during the Vietnam War, when the South Vietnamese government, with American support, used it as the country’s largest prisoner-of-war camp. Vietnamese sources describe tens of thousands of prisoners held here at its peak, and a memorial on the site commemorates the roughly four thousand who died.
Today it is a national historic site near An Thoi. Reconstructed barracks, barbed-wire enclosures and watchtowers stand alongside a museum of photographs and documents. Some exhibits use life-size figures to depict the torture of prisoners, including the “tiger cages”; they are graphic and not suitable for young children.
What to see and do: Phu Quoc Prison (Coconut Tree Prison)
Walk the reconstructed compounds
The outdoor area shows how the camp was laid out, with guard towers and fences. Allow about an hour.
Visit the museum
The exhibition building holds photographs, documents and objects from the camp’s history.
Combine with the south
The prison sits on the road between An Thoi and Sao Beach, so it fits easily into a southern day.
How to get to Phu Quoc Prison (Coconut Tree Prison)
- By road: in An Thoi, about 30 minutes by car from Duong Dong and close to the road to Sao Beach.
- On a tour: included in some southern and private tours.
Insider tips
- Entry has generally been free or very cheap; check on arrival.
- Dress respectfully and keep voices low — this is a memorial.
- Parts of the site are in full sun; go early or late in the day.
- Consider skipping the indoor torture displays with children.
Best tours & tickets for Phu Quoc Prison (Coconut Tree Prison)
These bookable experiences are the easiest way to include Phu Quoc Prison (Coconut Tree Prison) in your trip:
Private full-day tour from €137 Phu Quoc: Coconut Tree Prison, Cable Car, Kiss Bridge, Sunset
A private, full-day tour with hotel pickup that joins the island’s war history at the prison site with the cable car and the sunset at the Kiss Bridge. Priced for a private car and guide; only one review so far.
- The Phu Quoc (Coconut Tree) Prison
- Hon Thom cable car
- Kiss Bridge at sunset
Land tour with cable car from €66 Phu Quoc Land 4: Southern Phu Quoc Tour and Cable Car Ride
A land-based day around southern Phu Quoc that ends with the cable car. Good when the sea is rough or for travellers who would rather not spend the day on a boat; check the listing for the exact stops.
- Sightseeing stops in the south of the island
- Hon Thom cable car ride
- A day on land rather than on a boat
Full-day combo tour from €72 Phu Quoc Cable Car Ride & 3 Islands Boat Tour with Lunch
The most popular way to combine the two big southern experiences in one day: the cable car out to Hon Thom and a boat trip to three islands, with lunch. A long day with more than six hundred reviews.
- Ride the Hon Thom sea-crossing cable car
- Boat trip around three islands
- Lunch included
