The Hang Duong Cemetery and Memorial is located on Con Son Island, near the Con Dao Prison, and is one of Vietnam’s largest and most well-known cemeteries. It’s over a century old and has four zones, A, B, C, and D, with a total of 1,913 graves that belong to former prisoners and military fighters.

Only 793 graves are marked with names and occasionally photos, while the rest of them are anonymous. The premises are well looked after, clean, and kept in good condition, making it a popular tourist attraction for locals and international travelers.

One of the most famous graves at Hang Duong is the one for Vo Thi Sau, the first Vietnamese female prisoner who was killed by a firing squad. She was only 19 years old at the time of her death and is regarded as a national heroine.

Visiting the Memorial Cemetery

hang duong cemetery & memorial – con dao island

Hang Duong Cemetery and Memorial. Photo: Paul Arps

Hang Duong can be visited during the day or night, but one of the most popular times to go is late in the evening, near its closing at around 10 pm, when locals often bring offerings. At nighttime, small lit-up lanterns are all over the cemetery, and people will come to burn incense rods on the graves.

The ambiance of the whole area after dark is peaceful and serene, however, the daytime has its own beauty as well.