An Bang (in Vietnamese: An Bằng) is a small fishing village in Hue, also commonly known as “Town of Ghosts” or “The Land Where The Dead Live”.

The An Bang Village

An Bang is located just outside the Hue citadel . The distance from the city center to there is over 20 km. It’s possible to stop in a short time when you guys are on the way from Hue to Hoi An by private cars.

They believe that there is the land of the dead when they pass away. It isn’t the heaven, also isn’t the hell. It is called “Beyond Paradise”. Therefore, we definitely agree the An Bang Village is the place where the dead tell something beyond paradise.

You know? The villagers in An Bang spend over $70 000 on building tombs in order to make luxurious resting homes for their ancestors.  It is explained Vietnamese people,  Hue people in particular trust that the death is the beginning of new life. It continues without end even after death.

The locals keep on building tombs and has turned this place into one of the most majestic cemeteries. The location of An Bang‘s cemetery sits next to the beach.

An Bang Beach

The locals have the freedom in creativity, so the architectural styles of the tombs are very diverse. They have the agreement between Eastern style and Western style, particularly Buddhist temples, a little inspiration from Romanesque, Gothic and Catholic features

There is something special and interesting, a few tombs are actually empty. The villagers have built them in advance because they know that the death is inevitable.

Money from overseas…

Actually, the villagers are working or living abroad, mostly in the USA. In the past, they were Vietnamese boat people. They have sent money back to home-An Bang for building enormous tombs since they became rich. This is another way to show respect to their ancestors. People in An Bang say that they have the greatest respect for their ancestors and they wish their children to do it as well.

If you would like to book Hue city tour, please click here: Hue city tour