On 27 February 1965, in the waters off Côn Đảo, 57 prisoners carried out a remarkable escape in the island prison’s history. Following a secretly prepared plan, they overpowered the guards on transport ship TCS-131, seized control of the Cần Thơ–Sóc Trăng launch and set out across the sea toward the mainland.
After a night at sea, repeatedly facing mechanical failures and the danger of pursuit, the prisoners reached the Cà Mau coast on the morning of 28 February 1965. The escape became a notable event in the history of Côn Đảo political prisoners’ struggles, demonstrating solidarity, meticulous preparation and determination to regain freedom.
More than an audacious ship seizure, the event was a dangerous sea journey in which former captives overcame difficulties together to reach the mainland.
Background to the 1965 escape from Côn Đảo
During the war, Côn Đảo Prison held many revolutionary fighters and people involved in political struggles in southern Vietnam.
Besides confinement in prison camps, some prisoners were sent to work facilities supporting the prison’s operations. One was Sở Lưới, the fishing work detail, whose prisoners caught seafood, transported goods and performed other assigned labor.
Their work gave Sở Lưới prisoners opportunities to encounter boats, observe pier operations and learn how cargo was transferred from large ships to shore.
These conditions provided the basis for a group of political prisoners to develop a sea escape plan.
Unlike earlier small-scale escapes, this plan required coordination among many people, with assigned responsibilities and preparations for the vessel and personnel needed to navigate to the mainland.
Participants understood that even a small mistake could expose the entire plan and have serious consequences.
The plan to seize TCS-131 and the Cần Thơ–Sóc Trăng launch
The escape plan was built around Côn Đảo’s regular supply operations.
When transport ships arrived from the mainland, the larger vessels usually anchored in deep water. Barges and smaller boats carried cargo from them to the pier.
Prisoners from work details were assigned to unloading under the supervision of security troops and prison personnel.
The escape organizers chose this moment to act.
Their objective was to overpower the guards, gain control of transport ship TCS-131 and the Cần Thơ–Sóc Trăng launch, then use the launch to carry the participants across the sea.
To execute the plan, they formed assault teams, each responsible for a particular objective. People with experience of boats and engines were assigned to operate the vessel.
During preparations, members continually discussed and adjusted their approach while trying to maintain absolute secrecy.
An important agreed principle was to minimize casualties, avoid firing guns and kill no one during the operation.
Morning of 27 February 1965: TCS-131 anchors at Đá Trắng
At dawn on 27 February 1965, transport ship TCS-131 reached Côn Đảo waters and anchored near Đá Trắng.
At the pier, preparations to receive cargo proceeded as on an ordinary supply run.
A ship work crew of 47 Sở Lưới prisoners was assigned to the job, escorted by Warden Thâm, two orderlies named Hườn and Bảnh, and four armed security soldiers.
After inspection, the prisoners boarded a barge to travel out to the larger ship.
To the prison administration, it was simply another day of cargo transport. For the participants, however, every task was linked to preparing the escape.
During the morning, unloading proceeded more slowly than usual. This gave members time to observe their objectives and an opportunity to bring in additional people.
As planned, five Sở Lưới prisoners were allowed back ashore on the grounds that they could not tolerate the waves. The warden then sent another 15 men from the Chỉ Tồn work crew to help move cargo.
This change brought the number involved in the escape to 57.
Among the new arrivals were Bùi Minh Trực and Nguyễn Văn Ngày, commonly called Bảy Ngày, the elder brother of Tám Kỷ.
The arrival of familiar comrades strengthened the group’s resolve. The newcomers quickly learned their assignments and prepared to coordinate with those already aboard.
Afternoon of 27 February 1965: The decisive moment
Throughout the afternoon, participants had to keep moving cargo while ensuring the plan remained undiscovered.
An unexpected situation arose when Warden Thâm intended to send one barge back early. This would have divided the group and made simultaneous action difficult.
The prisoners immediately adjusted the pace of work to keep the plan on course.
By late afternoon, as daylight faded over Côn Đảo’s waters, preparations were complete.
According to the recorded account, at about 17:55 the final barge carrying Assault Team 3 and secretly prepared items left the pier for TCS-131.
On the larger ship, the other team members were already in their assigned positions.
As the barge came alongside, the movement of food, cargo and personnel continued normally.
This ordinary-looking scene enabled the prisoners to carry out the final stage of their plan.
The opening moments of the ship seizure
The signal to act came when Võ Văn Thuật, commonly known as Tư Thuật, signalled to Ba Thọ.
Ba Thọ wrapped a checkered scarf around his head and walked past the positions to tell his comrades to get ready.
Assault Team 1 then rapidly approached the stairway to the ship’s guard station, commonly called the “pigeon cage”.
Three security soldiers were on duty there.
Accounts of the escape state that Ba Thọ, Bùi Văn Của and Huỳnh Văn Thưởng quickly overpowered the guards and seized three carbines.
Taking this position was decisive because it held the armed personnel protecting the ship.
Within a very short time, the team controlled its first objective.
From the guard station, Ba Thọ signalled the other teams to act simultaneously.
The seizure of the ships had begun.
The assault teams simultaneously take control of the transport ship
On receiving the signal, assigned members quickly moved to their positions aboard TCS-131.
In the dining room and galley, Năm Hoa and Lê Văn Chánh subdued the sailors and staff present.
In the wheelhouse, Trần Văn Bền stopped a navigation officer from raising the alarm. Lữ Sỹ Hoa helped disable the ship’s horn.
In the radio area, Tư Thuật and Nguyễn Quốc Gia controlled the communications room, preventing a message from being sent ashore.
Some administrative staff and orderlies resisted, but were subdued in turn.
Participants included Trần Văn Hằng, Bùi Minh Trực and Huỳnh Đình Danh. According to the account, Huỳnh Đình Danh sustained a minor injury in the scuffle.
At the same time, Tư Thành led Assault Team 3 toward the Cần Thơ–Sóc Trăng launch.
There, the group subdued first mate Trần Hiếu Lễ, mechanic Ba Huê and other personnel. Lê Văn Hiểu helped deal with resistance from one of the vessel’s operators.
Coordination between the teams quickly neutralized the personnel on both the transport ship and the launch.
Nearly 50 security soldiers, wardens, sailors and other associated personnel were detained or compelled to surrender.
A distinctive feature of the action was that the prisoners gained control of both vessels without using gunfire to inflict casualties.
Securing the launch and preparing to leave Côn Đảo
Once in control, the participants immediately began their departure plan.
They did not choose TCS-131 for the crossing, because operating such a large vessel required conditions and personnel the group could not readily provide.
Instead, the Cần Thơ–Sóc Trăng launch was used to take all 57 men to the mainland.
Before leaving, the prisoners disabled some equipment on TCS-131 to limit its ability to pursue them.
Navigation equipment and communications systems were damaged, while weapons, food, drinking water, fuel and necessary supplies were transferred to the launch.
Eight members of the ship’s administrative and operating personnel and prison orderlies were also taken aboard with the escapees.
To avoid early discovery, some members continued to make activity on the ship appear normal while departure preparations were under way.
After dark, the launch began weighing anchor.
But at this decisive moment, an unexpected problem occurred.
Engine trouble just before the sea crossing
As they prepared to depart, the launch’s engine would not run.
After checking, the group discovered that the battery system had been disconnected.
With help from people experienced in marine engines, including Lê Văn Hiểu, the problem was resolved and the engine restarted.
The Cần Thơ–Sóc Trăng launch finally left the waters around Côn Đảo.
The small vessel travelled in darkness, without lights, to reduce the risk of detection.
Its initial heading was toward the waters off Trà Vinh.
Throughout the departure, those aboard had to remain alert to patrol vessels, submerged rocks and complicated coastal terrain.
For them, getting beyond Côn Đảo’s surrounding waters was only the beginning. A long journey remained, with limited equipment and fuel.
Côn Đảo discovers the escape and launches a pursuit
After the launch left, the island authorities discovered what had happened.
According to published accounts, one of those subdued freed himself from his bonds, swam ashore and reported the incident.
The island authorities quickly raised the alarm, tightened controls and organized a search for the prisoners.
TCS-131 was repaired to restore its operation and join the pursuit, but did not catch the launch.
A wanted notice was issued for the 57 prisoners.
By then, the escapees were far from the island. The danger of discovery remained, however, especially as daylight would allow search vessels and aircraft to expand their operations at sea.
A night at sea with 14 engine repairs
The greatest challenge came not only from pursuit, but also from the launch itself.
As the vessel moved farther offshore, the engine repeatedly ran erratically.
According to recorded recollections, sediment in the fuel system was responsible. Waves stirred up old deposits, blocking the fuel filter.
The engine team, comprising Lê Văn Hiểu, Ba Cẩm and Nguyễn Văn Ngày, repeatedly inspected, dismantled and cleaned the equipment.
Those responsible for the engine reportedly had to do this as many as 14 times in one night.
Out at sea, an engine stoppage could leave the launch unable to move and at the mercy of wind and waves.
After repeated temporary repairs, Nguyễn Văn Ngày concluded that the entire fuel system needed attention, rather than cleaning individual parts.
The group decided to stop for about 30 minutes to inspect and clean the system.
It was a difficult decision: dawn was approaching, land was still out of sight and the risk of detection was increasing.
After the repair, however, the engine ran more steadily.
The launch continued toward the mainland.
Morning of 28 February 1965: Land appears on the horizon
After a tense night, those aboard began noticing signs of coastal waters.
Flocks of birds, leaves floating on the surface and changes in the water’s color gave them hope that land lay ahead.
Then a strip of green trees appeared on the horizon.
For the 57 prisoners who had just escaped Côn Đảo, seeing land was an especially meaningful moment.
After years of imprisonment, they had a chance to return to life outside prison.
But as the launch approached the coastal forest, another problem arose.
At about 8 a.m. on 28 February 1965, it ran aground in shallow water roughly one kilometer from shore.
This was an extremely dangerous moment: the group was close to land, but not everyone could yet get ashore.
Just then, an L.19 reconnaissance aircraft appeared and signalled to mark the area.
The command group quickly organized the evacuation of the vessel.
Landing at Hố Rạch Già, Cà Mau
After the launch grounded, participants used floats to move through the shallow water toward the coastal forest.
The assault teams continued protecting and helping the others leave the vessel.
According to the recorded sequence of events, after almost an hour all 57 escapees and the eight captives had reached shore safely.
Their landing place was later identified as Hố Rạch Già, Bảy Dương commune, Ngọc Hiển district, Cà Mau province, using the place names found in the historical accounts.
This was not a destination precisely chosen in advance. The initial plan was to head toward Trà Vinh, but the actual voyage brought them to the Cà Mau coast.
As the group reached shore, opposing aircraft continued to arrive and attack the grounded launch and nearby forest.
Four jet aircraft took part in the airstrike.
The mangrove forest, muddy terrain and their rapid movement deeper into the woods helped the escapees avoid direct pursuit.
After a night at sea and a dangerous landing, the prisoners had finally returned to the mainland.
Why did the escape of 27 February 1965 succeed?
Throughout Côn Đảo Prison’s history, many escape attempts used different methods.
Numerous attempts failed because of open-sea conditions, inadequate vessels, unfavorable weather or discovery by guards.
The event of 27 February 1965 stands out for the prisoners’ organization and coordination.
Preparation and division of responsibilities
The escape was not spontaneous.
Members were divided into assault teams, each responsible for one area. Alongside the action teams, others were assigned to operate the vessel, handle machinery and prepare supplies.
This allocation of responsibilities helped the ship seizure take place quickly.
Solidarity among the prisoners
Under imprisonment, preparing a plan involving many people always carried a risk of discovery.
Nevertheless, members maintained coordination and unity of action.
When unexpected situations arose, they continued helping one another, from adjusting the personnel aboard to repairing failures out at sea.
Responding to unexpected situations
The sea escape plan had to change repeatedly.
From adding men to the work detail and resolving engine trouble to changing direction and organizing a landing after grounding, participants had to make decisions under intense pressure.
That adaptability played an important role in the escape’s outcome.
The roles of the participants
The 1965 escape is associated with many political prisoners who worked at Sở Lưới and other labor units on Côn Đảo.
They included Võ Văn Thuật (Tư Thuật), Ba Thọ, Tư Thành, Năm Hoa, Bùi Văn Của, Huỳnh Văn Thưởng, Nguyễn Quốc Gia, Trần Văn Bền, Lữ Sỹ Hoa, Bùi Minh Trực, Nguyễn Văn Ngày, Lê Văn Hiểu and many others.
Each had a particular role in preparations, organizing the group, securing objectives, operating the vessel or resolving problems during the journey.
Their names are recorded in research materials, former prisoners’ recollections and historical works on Côn Đảo.
Exploring each person’s life helps clarify how the escape was organized and the individual contributions within such a large-scale event.
The journey’s success rested on collective coordination, with many participants overcoming poor health, deprivation and difficulties following years of imprisonment.
Historical significance of the 1965 Côn Đảo escape
The sea escape of 27 February 1965 is regarded as one of the outstanding successful escapes in Côn Đảo Prison’s history.
Its distinction lay not only in the number of 57 participants, but also in their simultaneous seizure of a transport ship and a launch, followed by a sea crossing under pursuit.
After a night at sea, the entire group reached the mainland.
This was a remarkable outcome given the losses suffered in earlier attempts because of natural conditions and the island’s strict controls.
The event demonstrates the prisoners’ resistance, organization and desire for freedom.
It also shows the importance of maritime knowledge, marine-engine skills and coordination in dangerous situations.
The escape is therefore remembered not only as a feat in political prisoners’ struggles, but also as an unusual episode in Côn Đảo’s maritime history.
Returning from Côn Đảo and remembering 27 February 1965
Today, Côn Đảo is an island tourism destination and a place preserving an exceptional system of Vietnamese historical sites.
Modern vessels linking Côn Đảo with the mainland have made travel much more convenient than in earlier periods.
Yet these waters have also witnessed journeys motivated neither by tourism nor trade, but by the desire to escape imprisonment.
The escape of 27 February 1965 was one such journey.
From the Đá Trắng anchorage, 57 prisoners seized control of vessels, endured a dangerous night at sea and finally reached Cà Mau’s mangrove coast the following morning.
The journey ended with a return to the mainland for people who had spent years imprisoned on Côn Đảo.
More than six decades later, the event continues to feature in research and participants’ recollections.
For visitors exploring Côn Đảo’s history, the 1965 escape broadens understanding of prison life, political prisoners’ forms of resistance and historical events associated with these waters.
From old transport ships to today’s modern high-speed vessels, Côn Đảo’s seas have seen many changes. The story of 57 prisoners crossing the sea in 1965 remains a memorable part of the island’s history.
References
This article was edited and rewritten from materials on the Côn Đảo escape of 27–28 February 1965, cross-checked against the study “Escaping Côn Đảo: A Feat of Indomitable Revolutionary Spirit” published by the Government Newspaper and the Industry and Trade Publishing House.
Further references include historical works on Côn Đảo Prison during 1955–1975 and memoirs of former political prisoners who participated in the escape.