Hoa Lo revolutionary soldiers honoured

President Truong Tan Sang has said the combative spirit and sacrifice of revolutionary soldiers who were held at Hoa Lo Prison in Ha Noi were everlasting examples in the cause of national construction and defence.

The State leader made the remarks yesterday while visiting the Hoa Lo relic site and meeting with revolutionary soldiers who were imprisoned by the French colonists from 1930 to 1945.


Hoa Lo Prison was built in 1896 to incarcerate those who fought against French colonial rule in Viet Nam. Many of them lost their lives here following severe torture.

However, this was also the place where revolutionaries nurtured their fighting spirit and experience, expanded their forces, and led uprisings.

Five of the former prisoners became the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam: Nguyen Van Cu, Truong Chinh, Le Duan, Nguyen Van Linh and Do Muoi. Hundreds of others also held important positions during Viet Nam's struggles for national independence and reunification.

The revolutionaries' service contributed to the success of the August Revolution in 1945, which led to the establishment of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam the same year, and the Dien Bien Phu Campaign that ended French colonial rule in Indochina in 1954.

Talking to the former inmates, President Sang asked them to continue acting as role models for younger generations, encouraging patriotism and national pride.

He also instructed authorised agencies to implement Party and State social policies designed for those who rendered services for the nation.