40. Chuong Cop historical relic

Chuong Cop (Tiger Cages), a name given by the prisoners, is a disciplinary area constructed in 1940. Covering an area of 5,477m², it consists of two sections, each containing 60 rooms. The upper section is fortified with sturdy iron bars and a monitoring corridor. Opposite this, there are 60 uncovered rooms arranged in four rows, with two rows known as the “Sunbathing Rooms.” Chuong Cop lacks a main gate, only having narrow pathways leading to Banh III sub-camp (Phu Tuong camp) and Banh III (Phu Tho camp). These pathways were often discreetly concealed upon hearing of unfamiliar guests arriving at Con Dao.

In 1962-1963, under the false pretext of the American-puppets, Camp 5 was added as a front barrier, with a small path connecting to Chuong Cop. Prisoners were often brutally beaten unconscious when taken to Chuong Cop or transferred from other prisons. Guards used batons to press on the prisoners’ heads, forcing them to walk without looking around or up. This disoriented the prisoners, making it unclear which camp they were confined in.

Chuong Cop was a place of constant turmoil for the prisoners. At any given moment, the watchful eyes of the authorities were upon them, ready to mete out beatings or scatter lime powder. Yet, Chuong Cop embodied the spirit of the struggle to safeguard the dignity of political prisoners in Con Dao, closely associated with the anti-rebellion and anti-flag welcoming movements. It is forever linked with the names “Old Man in Chuong Cop” Cao Van Ngoc, Luu Chi Hieu, and the five victorious stars: Nguyen Duc Thuan, Phan Trong Binh, Pham Quoc Sac, Nguyen Minh, and Le Van Mot, along with many other unwavering examples defending dignity in Chuong Cop.

In 1969, the Saigon puppet regime exiled 342 female prisoners and 2 children to Chuong Cop, Con Dao. Exploiting the physiological characteristics of women for oppression, the guards repeatedly suppressed them with lime powder and sharp sticks, covering their heads. The most severe punishment was denying them bathing and hygiene facilities. Despite these hardships, the female prisoners consistently resisted, staging ongoing protests from low to high levels.

It can be said that from the end of 1969 to the beginning of 1970, the female prisoners of Chuong Cop, Con Dao, displayed the most courageous and resolute spirit, instilling fear in the enemy and contributing to the overall morale of the entire island.

In 1970, five students who had been detained in Chuong Cop were returned to Saigon, and they courageously exposed the atrocities perpetrated by the Chuong Cop regime in Con Dao. In July 1970, a U.S. congressional delegation led by Tom HarsKins and journalist Donlux visited Con Dao. They witnessed firsthand the suffering and brutal treatment inflicted on prisoners held in Chuong Cop. Among the victims were young students, women, a monk, and even a 60-year-old blind woman. In mid-July 1970, the news “Chuong Cop Con Son has been exposed…” was published in newspapers both domestically and internationally. Faced with public outrage, the Saigon puppet regime had no choice but to dismantle Chuong Cop Con Dao.

Despite being constructed by the French, Chuong Cop became a fierce battleground, horrifying the world, especially during the era of combined tactics by the American-puppet.

On April 29, 1979, the French-built Chuong Cop relic was officially recognized as a nationally significant special relic by the Ministry of Culture and Information, under Decision No. 54-VHTT.QD. On May 10, 2012, the Prime Minister signed Decision No. 548/QD-TTg, ranking it as a Special National Relic.