Tiếng ViệtBay Nhu (born 1926), whose real name was Tran Van Nhu, was the most notorious guard at Cay Dua Prison (Phu Quoc Prison). Communist prisoners of war recounted his brutal torture methods employed from 1967-1973. Despite his past, he still resides in Vietnam. Let’s explore the life of this infamous prison guard with KK2TRIP.
Phu Quoc Prison – “Hell on Earth” for Communists
It’s difficult to fully recount the heinous crimes inflicted upon communist prisoners in Phu Quoc by the cruel guards over decades. It’s equally challenging to name every devil in human form who inhabited this terrifying “hell on earth”. 
Bay Nhu, a notorious prison guard in Phu Quoc However, one fiend stands out: Bay Nhu. His name and barbaric torture methods inflicted immense pain, terror, and agonizing deaths upon thousands of prisoners, leaving an unforgettable and haunting scar on the 40,000 communist soldiers once imprisoned there. Bay Nhu was the infamous chief warden of Camp 2.
Early Military Career
Bay Nhu was born in 1926 in Cao Lanh District, Sa Dec Province, which after 1956 became My An District, Kien Phong Province (now Thap Muoi District, Dong Thap Province). In 1946, he joined the national mobilisation and enlisted in the Vietnamese National Army, later serving in the military police of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces. 
Bay Nhu in his military uniform In early 1967, when the Phu Quoc Viet Cong Prisoner of War Camp was established, Bay Nhu was transferred to Phu Quoc Island and remained there until the prison’s dissolution in 1973. He rose to the rank of Master Sergeant and became the chief warden of Cay Dua Prison. It was in Phu Quoc Prison that Bay Nhu transformed into a terrifying figure, inflicting horror upon patriotic communist soldiers with torture methods exceeding even medieval brutality.
Bay Nhu’s Actions in Phu Quoc Prison
During his time as a prison guard, Bay Nhu implemented brutal torture methods to break the will of communist prisoners: Teeth extraction with chisels, burning genitals with oil-soaked rags, smashing ankles, boiling prisoners alive, gouging out eyes or exploding them with high-powered light bulbs, throwing prisoners from planes into the Gulf of Thailand, and using pliers to rip out fingernails and toenails. 
Torture devices used in Phu Quoc Prison Bay Nhu’s torture instruments included: – “Farewell Stick”: a long iron pipe. – “Sorrowful Mallet”: a large wooden mallet.
He often confided in his fellow guards: “I can’t stand a day without seeing blood or taking a few lives.” With a simple ironwood ruler, he systematically shattered the ankles of over 10,000 prisoners. Occasionally, while visiting the infirmary for routine check-ups and witnessing prisoners crawling across the courtyard, Bay Nhu would look to the sky and laugh maniacally. The Phu Quoc Communist Prisoner of War Camp records still document 24 torture methods regularly employed by the guards, many believed to have been devised by Bay Nhu. He is also held responsible for numerous acts of prisoner abuse, notably ordering mortar attacks on the prison camp.
Bay Nhu’s Life After the War
After the prison camp’s dissolution and the release of prisoners under the 1973 Paris Peace Accords, Sergeant Bay Nhu remained on the island. When the communists gained control of Vietnam, he was sent to re-education camp on 14 May 1975. In 1979, he was released two years early for “good behaviour”. 
Bay Nhu in his later years Although held responsible for the abuse and torture of prisoners in Phu Quoc, the new government and surviving prisoners did not seek retribution. Some even visited and took photos with him, symbolising reconciliation and a testament to overcoming past hatred. Bay Nhu had two wives. His first wife, born in 1930, lived in Saigon while he worked at Phu Quoc Prison. His second wife worked in supplies and trade within the prison. She died in Kien Giang during his re-education. Currently, he lives with his first wife in a remote hillside area outside Phu Quoc. He leads a secluded life, practicing vegetarianism, burning incense, and chanting Buddhist scriptures, seemingly as an act of atonement for his past actions.
When visiting Phu Quoc Prison, take a moment to remember the patriotic soldiers who perished there. If you visit Ho Quoc Pagoda, light an incense stick to show gratitude to our ancestors who fell and endured immense torture to protect Vietnam. Phu Quoc today boasts numerous beautiful islands like Hon Thom, Hon Gam Ghi, Hon Mong Tay, Hon Doi Moi, sim wine distilleries, pearl farms, fish sauce factories, and many other attractions to fully enjoy your trip.
If you plan to visit Phu Quoc, let KK2TRIP be your trusted companion and professional guide for an unforgettable experience. KK2TRIP is a leading provider of tourist vehicle rentals in Phu Quoc. We offer a wide range of vehicles, from 4 to 45 seats, catering to diverse transportation needs. Whether for leisure, sightseeing, business trips, or weddings, you’ll find the perfect vehicle at KK2TRIP. Our vehicles undergo regular maintenance and thorough cleaning before each rental. Besides self-drive car rentals, KK2TRIP also boasts experienced drivers who can organise Phu Quoc discovery tours with exciting experiences.
To book a vehicle or receive a direct quote via phone, contact KK2TRIP at 0816 667 118 for prompt assistance.