Abstract
This study explores the spatial design of communal cemeteries in relation to water systems within the flood-prone rice-farming region of the lower Huong River basin in Hue, Vietnam. While Hue is recognized for its shan-shui cultural landscape and sophisticated irrigation systems, previous research has largely overlooked the spatial role of communal cemeteries as components of settlement structure. Focusing on six cemeteries across nine historical settlements, this study integrates historical map analysis, drone-based photogrammetry, GIS terrain modeling, and oral history to examine how these burial spaces are functionally and symbolically embedded within the regional water system. The results reveal three key patterns: cemeteries are situated at topographical elevations, adjacent to key hydraulic features (e.g., intake and drainage points), and near flood-prone areas or areas vulnerable to salt intrusion. Many appear to have been constructed using soil from canal excavation and function as embankments or stabilization structures. These findings suggest that the communal cemeteries were intentionally designed to serve both symbolic and hydrological functions, contributing to the region’s adaptive strategies for flood and irrigation management. As such, they represent an integral part of the living cultural landscape of Hue, illustrating a form of water–burial symbiosis unique to this rice-farming region.
https://ror.org/02956yf07 
