46. Hang Duong Cemetery

Hang Duong Cemetery spans approximately 20 hectares and serves as the final resting place for an estimated 20,000 prisoners on Con Dao Island.  However, not all are interred at Hang Duong. The initial cemetery was established in the Chuong Bo area (Bai So Nguoi historical relic) before being relocated to Hang Keo. In the aftermath of 1934 and particularly during the 1941 period, the white terror regime following the Cochinchina Uprising resulted in the loss of thousands of prisoners’ lives. As Hang Keo Cemetery neared capacity, the French authorities inaugurated Hang Duong Cemetery for prisoner burials.

Construction and enhancement of Hang Duong Cemetery began on December 19, 1992, comprising four zones: A, B, C, and D (with Zone B further divided into B1 and B2). The cemetery boasts a total of 1,922 graves, including 714 with identified names.

Zone A predominantly houses graves dating back to 1945 and earlier, featuring notable figures such as the late General Secretary Le Hong Phong and the patriotic Nguyen An Ninh.

By the close of 1944, Zone A had reached full capacity, prompting the expansion of the cemetery southward, now known as Zone B. The remains of anti-French resistance war prisoners (1945-1954) were laid to rest in the southeast sand dunes (referred to as Zone B1). The remaining part of the zone (Zone B2) contains the remains of anti-American resistance war prisoners, including the grave of the Heroic Female Martyr of the People’s Armed Forces, Vo Thi Sau.

Zone C predominantly holds graves from the period between 1960 and 1975, including the grave of the Heroic Martyr of the People’s Armed Forces, Le Van Viet

Zone D serves as a consolidation point for graves from Hon Cau, Hang Keo Cemetery, and other locations on Con Dao Island.

The ceremonial ground of the cemetery and the Main Monument are artistically designed to resemble the form of tombstones and grave markers within the cemetery, symbolizing a large tombstone and a significant memorial as a metaphorical representation. The main monument, with a base measuring 9m x 9m and a height of 21.6m, is constructed from 144 stone blocks, each bearing engravings depicting pivotal figures from our nation’s history, spanning thousands of years of cultural heritage, from prehistoric times to the present.

The stone garden, at its core, features the resolute bas-relief named “Bat Khuat” (Indomitable). One side vividly portrays the harsh prison life on Con Dao, condemning the brutal atrocities committed by invading forces. On the other side, it illustrates the unwavering and unyielding spirit of the heroic martyrs who endured imprisonment and torment on Con Dao.

The 4.5m tall “Thuy Chung” statue (formerly known as the “Trao Ao” statue) embodies loyalty and fidelity to the revolution, symbolizing the comradeship among patriotic individuals who, even in death, selflessly share their shirts to one another.

The 4.5m tall “Hy Vong” statue symbolizes a spirit of optimism and belief in the ultimate victory within the righteous struggle of revolutionary soldiers and patriots.

The Hang Duong Cemetery historical relic, housing thousands of named and unnamed graves, stands as solemn evidence of the heinous crimes committed by colonial and imperial forces against our nation. It serves as the final resting place for thousands of outstanding sons and daughters of the nation, who faced the enemy in chains, dedicating their lives to the struggle for independence, freedom, and socialism.

On April 29, 1979, the Hang Duong Cemetery 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.