Saigon Central Prison: A Journey from Colonial Dungeon to Hall of Knowledge and Patriotism

Saigon Central Prison (Maison Centrale de Saigon) is not just a historical landmark but a powerful witness to a turbulent era in the city's past. Today, this site has been transformed into the Ho Chi Minh City General Sciences Library, a center of intellect, yet deep within its history lies the story of the unwavering spirit and patriotism of Vietnamese revolutionaries. Join Saigon On Motorbike as we uncover this incredible historical transformation!

🏛️ History of the Central Prison: From Mint to Colonial Dungeon

The current location of the Saigon Central Prison was originally a minting workshop during the old Gia Định citadel era. After being abandoned, the area turned into the bustling Cây Da Còm Market (Humped Banyan Tree Market).

The French began construction of the Central Prison in 1886, completing it in 1890. Initially small, the prison quickly became severely overcrowded. In his famous work, "Ngồi tù Khám Lớn" (Imprisoned in the Central Prison) (1929), author Phan Văn Hùm authentically documented the brutal torture, poor sanitation, and suffocating conditions inside the lightless cells.

The Execution Site and the Frightening Guillotine

The Central Prison was once a site for public incarceration and execution, operating almost "in the open" right in the heart of Saigon.

In 1917, the French installed a guillotine here, standing 4.5m tall with a 50kg blade, frequently used to execute death row inmates. After each execution, a fire engine would spray the area to wash away the traces.
Due to the surge in political prisoners following the failed Southern Uprising (11/1940), the Central Prison became severely overloaded. This led to the plan for building the Chí Hòa Prison (construction started 1943, completed 1953).
In 1953, approximately 1,600 prisoners and the infamous guillotine were transferred to Chí Hòa. The Central Prison's primary role diminished, and by 1957, its function as a prison officially ended.

💡 The Great University of Patriotism and Idealism

The Saigon Central Prison was regarded by the revolutionaries as a "university" for forging communist ideals. It incarcerated many famous patriots and revolutionary leaders of Vietnam, including:

Nguyễn An Ninh, Phan Văn Hùm, Trần Phú, Lê Hồng Phong, Ngô Gia Tự, Nguyễn Văn Cừ, Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, Võ Văn Tần, Phan Đăng Lưu, Lý Tự Trọng, Phạm Văn Đồng, Phạm Hùng...

Among them, Lý Tự Trọng and Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai were executed by the French at this very spot, making the Central Prison a historical landmark in Saigon imbued with profound meaning.

📚 Rebirth as the Saigon Faculty of Letters and National Library

In 1957, the South Vietnamese government decided to build the Saigon Faculty of Letters (Trường Đại học Văn khoa) and the National Library on the former prison grounds.

The design, created by Architects Nguyễn Hữu Thiện, Bùi Quang Hạnh, and Lê Văn Lắm, successfully blended modern aesthetics with national character.
After several interruptions, the building was officially inaugurated on December 23, 1971.

After April 30, 1975, the facility was taken over by the Revolutionary Government and continues to operate today as the Ho Chi Minh City General Sciences Library. It serves as a vital cultural and intellectual hub where hundreds of students and scholars study and conduct research.

🗺️ Experience History with a Saigon Motorbike Tour

The former Saigon Central Prison (now the General Sciences Library) is centrally located, making it very accessible to explore on a motorbike.

Address: 69 Lý Tự Trọng, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1.
Nearby Attractions: Easily combined with visits to the Independence Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Saigon Central Post Office.

Let Saigon On Motorbike guide you through the central streets, sharing heroic historical tales, and witnessing the city's powerful transformation. A Saigon motorbike tour is the best way to deeply feel the fusion of the past and the present.