Son La’s old prison was a French penal colony where anti-colonial revolutionaries were incarcerated from 1908. It was destroyed by the ‘off-loading’ of unused ammunition by US war planes after bombing raids, but is now partially restored. Rebuilt turrets stand guard over claustrophobic underground cells and a famous lone surviving peach tree, planted by To Hieu, a 1940s inmate.
Old French Prison & Museum
Northwest Vietnam
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
15.62 MILES
Take a local bus or xe om to Thuan Chau, about 35km northwest of Son La, early in the morning, when its daily market swells with colourfully dressed hill…
0.71 MILES
For an overview of Son La, follow the stone steps to the left of the Trade Union (Cong Doan) Hotel in the north of town. It's a 20-minute uphill walk to…
0.48 MILES
You’ll find woven shoulder bags, scarves, silver buttons and necklaces and other hill-tribe crafts at this market in the north of town.
Nearby Northwest Vietnam attractions
0.48 MILES
You’ll find woven shoulder bags, scarves, silver buttons and necklaces and other hill-tribe crafts at this market in the north of town.
0.71 MILES
For an overview of Son La, follow the stone steps to the left of the Trade Union (Cong Doan) Hotel in the north of town. It's a 20-minute uphill walk to…
15.62 MILES
Take a local bus or xe om to Thuan Chau, about 35km northwest of Son La, early in the morning, when its daily market swells with colourfully dressed hill…