The program featured the participation of relatives of former political prisoners who took part in the historic escape 80 years ago, including Tran Tu Binh, Tran Dang Ninh, Truong Thi My, Le Tat Dac, Tran Van Cu, and others.…
Reenactment of the escape through underground sewers
Speaking at the exchange program, Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy, Director of the Hoa Lo Prison Relic Management Board, emphasized that over the years, the Board has organized meetings and exchanges between former political prisoners involved in the March 1945 escape, curated thematic exhibitions at the site, as well as traveling exhibitions showcasing documents and artifacts related to these former prisoners. Since February 2023, during the “Sacred Night 3 – Fire of Youth” program held every Saturday evening, reenactments of the March 1945 escape through underground sewers have been performed, allowing successive generations to pay tribute and remember the contributions of their forebears, thereby contributing to the building of a prosperous and strong Vietnam.
Director Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy speaking at the exchange program
The exchange program “Timeless Legacy” featured numerous stories recounting the historic escape at Hoa Lo Prison 80 years ago by former political prisoners. On March 9, 1945, the Japanese overthrew the French and took control of Hoa Lo Prison. Taking advantage of gaps in Japanese security, more than 100 political prisoners escaped through various methods, including scaling walls, crawling through underground sewers, and disguising themselves as civilians, in order to flee Hoa Lo Prison. After successfully escaping, the comrades quickly dispersed to localities, actively participating in preparations for the General Uprising to seize power on August 19, 1945.
“This program is an opportunity for the younger generation to express gratitude to the revolutionary fighters who took part in the historic escape and to deeply appreciate the heroic past, courage, and intelligence of our ancestors, thereby nurturing essential spiritual values of gratitude, patriotism, and resilience,” Director Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy added.
Mr. Tran Khang Chien, son of Comrade Tran Tu Binh, recounts his father’s escape plan
At the exchange program, Mr. Tran Khang Chien, son of Comrade Tran Tu Binh, emotionally recounted: “On the night of March 9, 1945, when the Japanese overthrew the French, prison management was chaotic. Political prisoners were allowed to move freely between camps. Political prisoners secretly coordinated and prepared for an escape. The group including Comrades Tran Dang Ninh, Le Trong Nghia, Le Tat Dac, Vu Tuan, Hoang Minh Chinh, Vu Ky, and others successfully scaled the prison walls on the night of March 11, 1945. However, due to common criminals causing a commotion while trying to escape, Japanese guards fired warning shots, forcing the wall-scaling plan to halt.
“On the very next day (March 12, 1945), my father (Tran Tu Binh) along with Comrades Nguyen Huy Hoa, Tran Van Cu, and Phan Van reached Camp J (where juvenile prisoners were held) and found a concrete manhole cover. From this sewer opening, the group found a route to escape. Political prisoners met to plan an escape through the underground sewer. On the night of March 12, 1945, my father, along with Comrades Phan Van, Nguyen Huy Hoa, and Nguyen Tuan, were assigned as the pioneering group, followed by Comrades Do Muoi, Tran Van Cu, and Nguyen Cao Dam. In the following days, over 100 political prisoners successfully escaped through the underground sewer, including Comrades Nguyen Lam, Do Thi Hanh, Nguyen Thanh Binh, Le Quoc Than, Truong Dinh Dan, and Luong Van Chat. The success of the Hoa Lo escape and the return of these political prisoners to the people and the Party in March 1945 was a deeply proud event,” Mr. Tran Khang Chien said emotionally.
Mr. Tran Tuan Quang, son of Comrade Tran Dang Ninh
Having a father who participated in wall-scaling during the Hoa Lo Prison escape, Mr. Tran Tuan Quang, son of Comrade Tran Dang Ninh, shared: “Every time I return to Hoa Lo Prison Relic, I am deeply moved by the arduous struggle that our forebears endured. I feel great emotion thinking of their exemplary courage and dedication. Our family maintains regular contact with the Hoa Lo site and is always ready to contribute to the preservation of the prison. Recently, the site’s propaganda activities have been very effective, conveying the message of the past clearly and deeply. I hope such programs will be organized more frequently and comprehensively”.
Ms. Nguyen Hong Nga, daughter of Comrade Truong Thi My
During the historic escape, female political prisoners had a very special way of escaping. Ms. Nguyen Hong Nga, daughter of Comrade Truong Thi My, shared: “My mother and the female political prisoners seized the opportunity when the Japanese overthrow of the French caused chaos. They had their relatives bring clothes and posed as visitors to leave the prison openly, determined to return to the revolution. I deeply admire the intelligence and bravery of my mother and the other female prisoners.”
Speaking at the exchange program, Mr. Nguyen Tien Ha, Head of the Liaison Committee of Revolutionary Fighters Imprisoned by the Enemy at Hoa Lo Prison, said: “Hoa Lo Prison was a ‘living hell.’ While imprisoned here, we considered the prison a new battlefield where revolutionary fighters had to unite to become strong. Escaping was also a form of high-level struggle across generations of prisoners. With the Party’s leadership, prisoners remained united and made timely, correct decisions. The March 1945 escape at Hoa Lo Prison exemplifies the indomitable spirit of the prisoner”.
The family of Mr. Tran Khang Chien presented the Hoa Lo Prison Relic Management Board with the Gold Star Medal posthumously awarded to Comrade Tran Tu Binh by the Party and State
The family of Ms. Nguyen Hong Nga gifted a photo of Comrade Truong Thi My to the Board.
Eighty years have passed since the largest historic escape at Hoa Lo Prison in March 1945, and the value and significance of this event remain timeless. Everything the Hoa Lo Prison Relic Management Board has done and continues to do is conducted seriously, dynamically, and with every possible effort to preserve the historical value of the site for the long term, safeguarding and promoting the heritage of the past, offering great encouragement and consolation to the descendants of former political prisoners.
On the occasion of the exchange program “Timeless Legacy,” descendants of former political prisoners contributed additional artifacts and documents to support the Board’s educational and promotional work.
Ngoc Tram