On the outskirts of Hue in central Vietnam, an abandoned water park left on Thuy Tien Lake is drawing photography-loving travelers. In the center of the lake towers a giant dragon monument embracing a globe, and from its base you can climb stairs up into the dragon's mouth and further to the old cafeteria above it. The interior is covered in colorful graffiti, and from the top you can take in the whole park. However, since the situation is that "opening and closing are irregular and it's down to luck," checking the latest information before visiting is essential.
A giant dragon towering over the lake, climbable into its mouth
The park's star is the dragon monument standing in the center of the lake. A giant concrete dragon embraces a globe, and stairs extend from its base. Climb the stairs and you can enter the dragon's mouth, and going up the stairs further leads to the old cafeteria inside the globe. The inner walls are filled with colorful graffiti, and from the top you can survey the whole park, now turned to ruins. The distinctive scenery, with dried slides and empty pools remaining, is drawing popularity as a subject for ruin exploration.
Opening and closing are irregular; a visit is "down to luck"
The most important thing to note when visiting is the unstable state of its opening. The source article states plainly that "this park opens and closes without a set schedule, so it's down to how lucky you are." The entry fee is also not fixed, and while "someone occasionally asks for an entry fee," you're said to have no obligation to pay a large amount. In other words, you don't know whether you can get in until you go. Checking the latest local information before visiting and assuming you may not be able to enter is the safe approach.
Location and access (data table)
The park is located 6.5 kilometers from central Hue, and about 8 kilometers from the World Heritage royal palace (the Hue Citadel). By taxi it's about 20 minutes. We've summarized the basic information.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | The abandoned water park at Thuy Tien Lake (Ho Thuy Tien) |
| Location | Thuy Ban commune, Hue City (6.5km from the city center) |
| Access | About 20 minutes by taxi or car (100,000 to 120,000 dong / about 570 to 680 yen) |
| Main highlights | Giant dragon embracing a globe / the dragon's mouth and old cafeteria / empty pools and slides |
| Admission | Undefined (occasionally you're asked for an entry fee) |
| State of opening | Opening and closing are irregular (down to luck) |
The story of construction starting in 2001 and closing in half a year
The park started construction in 2001, developed with an investment of 3 million dollars on a site of about 20 hectares. The main portion was ready to open in 2004, but visitors didn't grow, and it closed in just half a year. It was long left abandoned afterward, and gained international attention when overseas media featured it as a "spot for test-your-courage thrills" in 2016. By the lakeside, abandoned villas in a pine forest and a decorated old car near a bridge also remain, and a scenery left behind by time spreads out.
Safety and equipment when visiting
Because it's ruins, maintenance isn't thorough. The structures aren't kept up, and the slides can't be called safe. Glass shards and trash are scattered inside the buildings, and there are places with an unpleasant smell. Since there's little to block the sun, you need to bring water and sun protection yourself. If you tour on foot, it's about 1 kilometer from the entrance to the main part, and about 6 kilometers to go around the whole thing. Watching your footing and judging not to climb dangerous structures by force is required.
Summary
The abandoned water park in Hue, where you can climb into the mouth of a giant dragon standing in a lake. Its one-of-a-kind scenery draws photography lovers, but opening and closing are irregular, and whether you can get in is down to luck. If you visit, you'll want to check the latest state of opening and pay ample attention to footing safety and equipment. The good access of about 20 minutes from the center also makes it easy to drop by.
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Source:Central Vietnam Guide / Hue abandoned water park / Time Travel Turtle / Hue abandoned water park
