As travelers, it’s our nature to venture off the beaten path. To go against the grain of what’s been done before. We seek out places to spark our senses and relish in any chance we get to explore the unknown. When a place is abandoned, it makes it even more exciting. There’s something post-apocalyptic about abandoned places that will pump your adrenaline and ignite your inner desire to investigate. Exploring Hồ Thủy Tiên, Vietnam’s Abandoned Water Park in Huế is no exception.
Wandering through the overgrown jungle in Hue’s ghost park is a rite of passage for backpackers traveling through Central Vietnam and now an unofficial must-see destination in Southeast Asia. What once started out as a hidden secret between backpackers, has now evolved into one of the most sought after attractions in the region.
Gone are the days when directions are written on a napkin at the bar. Nowadays, Google Maps is all you need to find the crumbling playground. Although the secret’s out, the feeling of being alone in a place that’s in a state of such decay is a memory you won’t forget. Especially after visiting all those busy ruins and temples.
Where’s it at?!
Huế is an ancient imperial city located in central Vietnam on the plains along the Perfume river backed by the foothills of the Annamese Cordillera. Located just five miles outside of Huế’s city center, you can walk, take a cab, bike or motorbike to Hồ Thủy Tiên. We opted to walk from town, clocking in at just under an hour and a half. We prefer to walk when it’s an option. You have the opportunity to observe the day-to-day of a location and are given a glimpse into the lives of locals. If you take a cab, the driver will know exactly where you’re heading. If you make the trip on a bike or a scooter, just be sure to lock your ride up inside.
Local authorities have officially banned people from entering the waterpark but that doesn’t seem to pose an issue. Greeted by No Trespassing signs, there will be a security guard waiting outside the gate to collect your entrance fee of 10,000 – 50,000 Dong (No more than $2 USD). You’ve got to pay to play, so don’t be cheap and hand over the dong. We witnessed a group get turned down because they refused to pay. Additionally, there’s an alternative entrance through the fence on the access road. You can bypass the main entrance if you are given a tough time getting in.
What happened?!
Ho Thuy Tien Lake was once a beautiful dream. An epic escape, built on the edge of a lake where visitors would flock to enjoy a taste of the good life. Envisioned to be the crown jewel of an imperial city on the rise. It all started in 2001 when the concept was hatched and funded by a state-owned enterprise. In an attempt to promote tourism to attract more visitors to the province, investors would spare no expense to see the vision come to life. It would cost a whopping 70 billion Vietnamese dong, an amount roughly to the tune of $3 million USD. The park would have it all, and visitors would come from far and wide to enjoy endless entertainment. Fun for all, the park would be equipped with water slides, a lazy river, paddleboats, games, an exotic aquarium, animal exhibits, food courts, and a giant amphitheater.
In a rush to fill the pockets of the investors, the park was opened in June 2004 before it was fully completed. Facilities were lacking sufficient resources to operate and it struggled to turn a profit before things would take a turn for the worse. Thuy Tien operated with poor management for some time without making any money and eventually had no choice but to shut down and close its doors.
It wasn’t too long before a new company, HACO Hue which was headquartered in Hanoi sought to resurrect the project. A few years later, banks wanted their loans paid back and there were hopes of giving the park a second chance. New management and new investor attempted to bring new life to the amusement park but things only got worse. HACO Hue tried to revitalize the land as an ecotourism compound featuring a convention center, restaurants, hotels, spas, and outdoor events. But with poor planning, construction, and care, the whole thing went to shit.
The facilities started to crumble without receiving proper maintenance and investment. On top of that, the company that tried to give the park a new life was reported to have violated Vietnamese laws of the land for delayed execution of the project. In 2017, the Hue People’s Committee decided to acquire the land. This eventually leads to the park’s demise. Management rights went to another local authority and the park couldn’t find a new investor. Cue the vandalism and graffiti. It’s safe to say that the park is more popular now than when it was ever open.
Or Could it be…?
Urban legend has it, the property where the park was erected was once a burial ground for the Huế people during the Têt Offensive in 1969. The land was used as a cemetery for the local people who had lost their lives during the Vietnam War between the USA and Vietnam.
Prior to the parking being built, a group of investors bribed the government for acquisition of the land before breaking ground to build the park. In a disrespectful move, they dug out the graves and built on the land. Locals warned the demolition companies of the repercussions of their actions and advised them that the site will be cursed. In the name of greed, big profits, and corruption, the waterpark was built anyway. But, it didn’t take long for things to go sour.
A few visitors had suddenly died and many got hurt. One accident after the next, the misfortunes started to pile up. Locals watched their predictions unfold before their eyes and visitor traffic came to halt. Without patrons, investors lost their money and the business failed. It has been said that if you look closely at the area surrounding the park, there are still some graves hidden you search hard enough. To up the ante, there have even been tales of the park being haunted at night. We can’t confirm if any of it is true so believe it or not, it’s up to you. Either way, there’s no denying the tale adds to the park’s eerie aesthetic.
What to expect…
The park is situated around the lake with the three-story dragon as the main focus. From the dragon’s mouth, you’ll get a full panorama of Ho Thuy Tien in all its glory. The dragon used to be the aquarium, and there’s not a single piece of glass intact in the entire place, so be careful and always explore with close-toed shoes. It’s been said crocodiles used to live in the water at the bottom of the slides until travelers reported them and PETA jumped in to find them a new home. We didn’t meet any crocs but there’s a good chance you will have the entire park to yourself if you make it in, with the exception of some cattle, a drink vendor and a few local teenagers.
We spent around 2 hours exploring and taking advantage of the many photo ops. With so many people entering Ho Thuy Tien in recent years, it’s possible that a visitor has gotten hurt, and security has been heightened making it much harder to gain access these days. But it’s certainly worth a try. So go ahead and attempt to cross Ho Thuy Tien off your Vietnam bucket list because, at this waterpark, long lines and kids peeing in the pool will be the last worries on your mind.
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