BA RIA-VUNG TAU (VNS) — The infamous Con Dao prison on Con Son Island, located in the Con Dao archipelago in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, was granted the title Special National Historical Relic on Saturday.)— The infamous Con Dao prison on Con Son Island, located in the Con Dao archipelago in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, was granted the title Special National Historical Relic on Saturday.

Built in 1861 by the French colonists, the jail was used to imprison political prisoners and others considered especially dangerous by the colonist government.

Several high-ranking Vietnamese leaders were detained here.

During the anti-American War, the prison was turned over to the Sai Gon regime, who continued to use it for the same purpose.

Dubbed a "Hell on Earth", the prison contained more than 200,000 prisoners. Approximately 20,000 died due to the atrocious conditions.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan, local authorities and thousands of tourists and local residents attended a ceremony to welcome the title on Saturday.

Nhan said the title demonstrated the nation's deep gratitude to the war martyrs who laid down their lives for the independence and freedom of the nation.

The title also confirmed the historical relic's great value and indicated that the site would contribute to educating younger generations about the nation's heroic history, Nhan added. — VNS