An Bang Cemetery is locally known as City of Ghosts because it is believed that spirits roam around this place at night. It’s a unique place that offers a glimpse into Vietnam’s rich afterlife.
An Bang Cemetery is a famous cemetery located in the fishing village of An Bang, Hue province, which is 35 km east of Hue city. It is considered the most luxurious and magnificent cemetery in Vietnam, with thousands of tombs of all colors and sizes, some of which are worth billions of VND (hundreds thousand US dollar). The cemetery covers around 250 hectares and sits next to a sparkling and deserted sandy beach.
After Vietnamese reunification in 1975, many residents of An Bang Village emigrated to Europe and the USA. From here, they sent money back to their relatives who stayed behind, making it one of the wealthiest villages in Vietnam. The town of An Bang is affluent even compared to western standards; driving through the streets we passed by huge brightly colored houses, two stories high with balconies running the length of the building, and it is not unusual to see a jeep parked in the neatly paved driveways.
The building of grandiose mausoleums in the cemetery began in earnest in 1995, and since then the local villagers have begun to build more and more extravagant tombs for their deceased family members, or sometimes even prematurely for themselves. These structures often stand two or three stories high, decorated with elaborate ornate gold carvings of dragons and mythical creatures, and complete with fully functional bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens. This not only reflects the style in which the residents live while they are alive but also their strong belief in the afterlife and the importance of honoring their ancestors.
If you’re ever in Hue, make sure to visit this City of Ghosts to learn more about the culture of Hue city, sometimes the City of Ghosts also refers to the Hue city, where there are many ceremonies for the deaths. Book a day tour with us to learn more about.
