Hue: Ho Thuy Tien, Vietnam's Abandoned Water Park

Hue: Ho Thuy Tien, Vietnam's Abandoned Water park

26/6/2019

Hue: Ho Thuy Tien, Photos of Vietnam's Abandoned Water Park // Ho Thuy Tien Water Park Dragon (October 2018)

Located 8 km (5 miles) from the centre of Hue is Ho Thuy Tien lake, the home of Vietnam's abandoned dragon themed water park. Exploring the abandoned water park was officially closed to the public in February 2018, but don't let this stop you from going.

History

Funded by a state-owned enterprise, the Hue Capital Tourism Company and announced to begin construction in 2001 with a budget of 70 billion Vietnamese Dong ($30 mill USD), Thuy Tien Water Park was conceptualised with dreams of promoting Hue and attracting more tourists to the region.

The vision was to provide a space with a diverse range of attractions including an aquarium, gardens, amphitheatre, animal exhibitions, a cultural village, food courts, gaming areas, accommodation and a water park featuring swimming pools and water slides.

The incomplete park first opened its doors to the public in June of 2004 and due to its minimal functionality the water park did not create the financial turnover expected and as a consequence had to shut its doors after only a few months in operation.

Due to pressure from banks and investors in 2013, ownership was transferred to a company called HACO, which had a dream to restructure the site for eco-tourism, including restaurants, spas, accommodation, arts, a convention centre, and a space for outdoor events, however these plans also failed, resulting in an unfinished and abandoned water park.

Many locals believe the land to be cursed as the park is built in an area famed for its impressive temples, pagodas and the tomb of the 12th Emperor of Vietnam, Khai Dinh.

Ho Thuy Tien Water Park when the park was initially opened (2004) // Hue: Ho Thuy Tien, Photos of Vietnam's Abandoned Water Park.

Ho Thuy Tien Water Park when the park was initially opened (2004) [Image Source]

Abandoned Ho Thuy Tien Water Park dragon (October 2018) // Hue: Ho Thuy Tien, Photos of Vietnam's Abandoned Water Park.

Abandoned Ho Thuy Tien Water Park
(October 2018)

Exploring the abandoned water park was officially closed to the public in February 2018, but don't let this stop you from going. If you come across the security guard while entering you can offer him a small amount of money/ bribe him which will allow you to gain entrance. Thanks to my local guide doing all the talking, I was only charged 10,000 Vietnamese Dong (0.65 AUD / 0.45 cents USD), although I have heard some travellers say they paid up to 100,000 Vietnamese Dong ($6.20 AUD / $4.30 USD), others have said they entered for free.

My Experience

I decided against a group tour when exploring Hue and instead I organised a private tour through Vietnam Backpacker Hostel. I travelled there on the back of a local guides motorbike and was very lucky to arrive at a time when no other tourists were present as I was able to enjoy exploring the entire water park to myself.

I had heard many stories of crocodiles inhabiting the abandoned water park so I was initially hesitant to enter alone, however, when I arrived, the lake was drained dry and instead of water and crocodiles, I encountered grass and cows - much less threatening.

Cows resting in the dry lake.

The crocodiles that once inhabited the park were reported to the People for the Ethical Treatment for Animals (PETA) by visitors and this resulted in the croc's being removed and humanely relocated to a wildlife park in North Vietnam.

Enter the Dragon

Upon arriving at the park via the dirt trail that surrounds the empty lake, you walk across a bridge leading you to the giant 3-story dragon, the water park's most impressive feature. In its glory days, the dragon was built to house the reception, aquarium and viewing deck.

Entering the abandoned dragon aquarium.

Close up detail of the dragon's head.

The reception area covered in graffiti.

Graffiti // Hue: Ho Thuy Tien, Photos of Vietnam's Abandoned Water Park.

As you ascend through the building to reach the mouth of the dragon, you walk up 3 levels of winding stairs decorated to appear as though you're inside the body of the dragon. You pass through rooms that have fallen into complete disrepair, scenes that were once filled with such optimistic dreams are now littered with broken glass, hold pools of dirty water and have walls covered in graffiti.

Inside level 1 of the aquarium.

Climbing to level 2.

The rib cage detail inside the abandoned aquarium // Hue: Ho Thuy Tien, Photos of Vietnam's Abandoned Water Park.

The rib cage/ skeleton detail inside the abandoned aquarium.

The Dragon's Mouth

Once upon a time (even in recent times), when visitors arrived on the top floor they were greeted with a stunning view of the lake when peering through the jaws of the dragon. With the lake almost completely drained, I could only imagine this view. Instead, I was greeted with a panoramic view of grass and trees as far as my eyes could see.

Panoramic view from inside the mouth of the dragon.

Inside the mouth of the dragon.

Walking down the spiral staircase.

Walk back down the stairs and exit the door to your right and you will enter an overgrown garden full of wall carvings, statues of sea creatures. Continue through the garden and walk through the shark's open mouth to reach the rear bridge. Following this bridge leads you to the trail to the derelict water slides.

The overgrown garden inside the dome of the dragon.

Garden wall decor detail.

Aquatic statues in the garden.

Walk through the mouth of the shark.

Looking back at the dragon on my way to the water slides.

The Water Slides

The water slide section of the park consists of 2 areas. One pool with 3 larger water slides and a kiddies section with mini slides for children, both pools filled with brown murky algae water and scattered rubbish left by previous visitors. You can try your luck and slide down into the dirty pools, I know people that have done this and somehow didn't fall ill afterwards, but I wouldn't recommend this.

The abandoned change-rooms below the water slides.

A view from upstairs of 2 of the water slides.

Detail of one of the larger windy water slides.

Abandoned water slides.

Cross the bride to reach the pools.

The brown murky algae water that fills the water slide swimming pools.

The main 3 water slides.

The water park speed slide.

The kiddies pool.

The kiddies pool and mini slides.

Walking through the overgrown garden and underneath the large water slides.

Detail of the large yellow water slide // Hue: Ho Thuy Tien, Photos of Vietnam's Abandoned Water Park.

Walking back to the abandoned dragon aquarium.

Hue: Ho Thuy Tien, Photos of Vietnam's Abandoned Water Park.

I spent so much time walking around the dragon and water slides that I didn't get a chance to visit the abandoned amphitheatre situated on the north of the lake, however, I was happy that I'd made it out of the building without falling over on the slippery floors as I'd had several close calls.

I was able to see the amphitheatre on the way out as we drove past it, however, I would have preferred to sit there and have lunch. After all of the time I have spent in Southeast Asia over the past 2 years, this is one more telling reason of why I should have learnt how to ride a motorbike by now so I could enjoy the day at my own leisure.

Quirky car statue.

Leaving the abandoned water park.

To be honest the experience was a little eerie, great, but eerie, especially when I ventured beyond the Dragon and arrived at the water slides. Every drip I heard, every noise I heard, in the back of my mind I thought I was going to stumble across other people or a crocodile. But there were none. After 1 and a half hours, I was still the only person there.

If you're all templed out during your visit to Hue and looking for a different experience I would definitely recommend a visit to the abandoned water park.