1. Learn about Con Dao's Hang Keo Cemetery
1.1. Where is Hang Keo Cemetery located?
Hang Keo Cemetery is located on Nguyen Chi Thanh street, Con Dao, about 2 km northeast of Con Son town center. From here, it only takes visitors a few minutes to travel to Hang Duong Cemetery or nearby historical sites. The cemetery space is located separately from the crowded residential area, surrounded by shady natural acacia forests, which contribute to its name and shape its solemn and quiet atmosphere. With a vast area of about 97,000 m², Hang Keo Cemetery resembles a large memorial complex, evoking a sense of solemnity from the very first steps.
Hang Keo Cemetery is located in the center of Con Dao. (Source: Collected)
1.2. Why does Hang Keo Cemetery have special significance?
More than just a resting place, Hang Keo Cemetery holds special historical and spiritual significance within the system of Con Dao relics. It is one of the first two cemeteries built by the French colonialists in the early 20th century, associated with the formation and harsh operation of the Con Dao prison system. It marks the sacrifice of over 10,000 political prisoners, including many victims of the "white terror" period of 1940–1941. With its profound historical, traditional education, and commemorative value, Hang Keo Cemetery has been recognized by the Prime Minister as a National Special Monument, becoming an indispensable stop on the journey to understand Con Dao's past.
2. History of the formation of Hang Keo Cemetery
2.1. Historical context of Con Dao during the cemetery's formation
Hang Keo Cemetery was established in the context of Con Dao becoming the largest prison in Indochina under French colonial rule. From 1862, it was used to detain political prisoners under extremely harsh conditions, with forced labor, physical torture, disease, and prolonged lack of medical care. The high mortality rate forced the colonial authorities to establish a large burial site, separate from residential areas. Especially during the "white terror" period of 1940–1941, thousands of people died in prison, turning Hang Keo Cemetery into a tragic testament that clearly reflects Con Dao's role as a center for suppressing the Vietnamese revolutionary movement in the early 20th century.
2.2. Hang Keo Cemetery and the nameless people
What makes Hang Keo Cemetery haunting is not its scale, but the presence of thousands of nameless individuals. Most of the graves here have no tombstones or information, and many mass graves were hastily buried during the fierce years of imprisonment. Over time, many remains have been found and reburied at Hang Duong Cemetery, but beneath this soil still lie sacrifices that have not been named. It is this anonymity that creates the profound humanistic value of Hang Keo Cemetery, a place that reminds us of a tragic yet heroic period of history, and of the people who silently exchanged their lives for the nation's freedom.
Hang Keo Cemetery is a place that preserves the memories of unknown heroes. (Source: Compilation)
3. Space and Landscape of Hang Keo Cemetery
3.1. Overall Space of the Cemetery
Hang Keo Cemetery possesses a vast, solemn space, covered by a natural acacia forest which both gives the place its name and shapes its distinctive atmosphere. With an area of nearly 97,700 m², the cemetery is arranged in an open layout, including concrete paths, a central gathering area, and a central ritual area, interspersed with green lawns and tall, shady trees.
After renovations in 2022, the space has improved infrastructure but retains its original wild and solemn character. When walking amidst the acacia forest with the sea breeze blowing, visitors can easily feel the quiet, solemn atmosphere and a sense of contemplation that evokes deep historical reflections.
The solemn space of Hang Keo Cemetery. (Source: Collected)
3.2. Main areas inside
Inside Hang Keo Cemetery is a system of areas bearing clear imprints of time and history. The collective burial area occupies most of the space, currently mainly empty plots after the remains were re-interred at Hang Duong Cemetery in 1997, interspersed with some remaining individual graves with old traces. The highlight of the space is the central memorial stele and symbolic sculptural elements, alongside remnants of old grave foundations. With its special historical value, the cemetery is strictly preserved through the addition of greenery, fencing systems, and anti-degradation measures, serving well for long-term historical education and commemoration purposes.
4. Visiting Experience at Hang Keo Cemetery
4.1. Reasons why tourists should visit Hang Keo Cemetery when traveling to Con Dao
Visiting Hang Keo Cemetery is a suitable choice for tourists interested in history, revolutionary values, and contemplative experiences. Not only for the elderly or student groups, this place also adds depth to the Con Dao travel journey, helping visitors better understand the harsh imprisonment past and the silent sacrifices that have shaped the island's historical landscape. This is a stop not for exploring beautiful scenery, but for reflection and feeling.
Hang Keo Cemetery is a must-visit destination when coming to Con Dao. (Source: Collected)
4.2. Things to do when visiting
When visiting Hang Keo Cemetery, visitors should maintain a solemn attitude by walking quietly, speaking softly, and refraining from noisy or offensive behavior. Offering incense for remembrance or taking time to read information and learn about the cemetery's history are ways to show respect for this sacred space. More importantly, avoid turning this place into a regular tourist check-in spot, so that each visit is truly a moment of gratitude and reflection.
5. Directions to Hang Keo Cemetery
5.1. Getting from Con Dao center
Hang Keo Cemetery is located about 2 km northeast of Con Son town center, on Nguyen Chi Thanh street, making it quite convenient to get to. Motorbikes are a popular choice due to the short, easy distance, taking only about 5–10 minutes, suitable for tourists who want to be proactive with their time; rental prices range from 150,000–200,000 VND/day. For families or the elderly, taxis and car services are more suitable options. The suggested route is to start from Con Son Market, go straight along Nguyen Chi Thanh street heading north to reach the cemetery.
Moving from Con Dao center to Hang Keo Cemetery is simple. (Source: Collected)
5.2. Combining visits to nearby historical sites
Thanks to its location near many important relics, visitors can easily combine Hang Keo Cemetery into their historical exploration journey of Con Dao. From here, visitors can continue to visit Con Dao Prison, Con Dao Museum, and Hang Duong Cemetery within a 3-4 km travel radius.
A time-saving tour route suggestion for visitors is Con Dao Prison, then Hang Keo Cemetery, continuing to Con Dao Museum, and finally Hang Duong Cemetery. This tour itinerary can be completed in about 3–4 hours by motorbike or a package taxi, suitable for a morning or afternoon.
6. Ideal time to visit Hang Keo Cemetery
Considering the time of year, visitors should choose the dry season in Con Dao to visit Hang Keo Cemetery , when the weather is dry, with little rain, and travel between attractions is convenient. During this time, the cemetery's atmosphere retains its inherent tranquility, ensuring the visit proceeds smoothly and is not interrupted by adverse weather.
Visitors should choose the dry season to visit Con Dao and Hang Keo Cemetery. (Source: Collected)
During the day, early morning is the most suitable time to visit Hang Keo Cemetery. The air is cool at this time, the light is soft, and the number of visitors is not crowded, creating conditions for visitors to fully feel the solemnity and tranquility of the memorial space. Visitors should limit visits at noon, when the harsh sun can cause fatigue and reduce the visiting experience.
7. Experience and notes when visiting Hang Keo Cemetery
When visiting Hang Keo Cemetery, visitors should choose polite, discreet attire suitable for the memorial space. Throughout the visit, maintain a serious attitude, limit loud talking, avoid making noise, and always be conscious of maintaining general hygiene. Small but appropriate actions will contribute to preserving the solemnity of the cemetery's historical and spiritual space.
In addition, visitors should note to avoid inappropriate behaviors such as joking, laughing disrespectfully, or taking offensive photos. Trespassing on graves or moving arbitrarily into unauthorized areas should also be strictly avoided. Respecting the space and values of Hang Keo Cemetery is a way to show gratitude for the silent sacrifices commemorated here.
In the near future, when Sun World Vung Tau is expected to open in 2026, visitors will have more options to combine a journey of deep historical and spiritual exploration of Con Dao with modern coastal entertainment tourism experiences. The Sun World Vung Tau amusement park is invested with modern infrastructure and many thrilling entertainment games, meeting the entertainment and relaxation needs when visiting the coastal city of Vung Tau, near the center of Ho Chi Minh City.
Sun World Vung Tau is expected to open in 2026, bringing modern entertainment space for tourists. (Source: Collected)
Nghia Trang Hang Keo is not only an important historical relic of Con Dao, but also a memorial space with deep spiritual value. Visiting this place, tourists have the opportunity to pause, reflect on a painful but heroic period of the nation's history, thereby further cherishing the freedom and peace of today. During the journey to explore Con Dao, Nghia Trang Hang Keo is a necessary stop so that the trip is not just about beautiful scenery, but also touches upon historical depth and lasting emotions.
