Everything You Need to Know About The Super Unique Abandoned Water Park in Vietnam

There are few things more equally fascinating, creepy and exhilarating than abandoned sights. You don’t have to imagine what once was, when the remnants are still alive and staring you in the face.

While I’ve made it a point to seek out abandoned places, few have come close to the abandoned water park in Vietnam. Something tells me this place is far more of an attraction now abandoned than it ever was open. 

What Is It?

Surrounding Hồ Thủy Tiên Lake, in Hue Vietnam, stands the first of many abandoned buildings that make up this water park. A vast and expansive water park, it was an extremely expensive project for the owners. It both opened and closed in the same year, 2004.

While there’s no official reason for closing known, our local guides told us the place was not popular enough to be profitable. Direct quote: “No one went.” The owners made the decision to close.

How Did the Abandoned Water Park Become an Attraction?

2004 was over 15 years ago, but the park only started getting mainstream attention a few years ago. Why? Well, according to our guides, because of a Western photographer.

They told us that locals didn’t even hang out here, and it really was quite abandoned. But a few years ago, a Western tourist sought it out, took a bunch of photos, and the park was suddenly on an international radar.

Since then, it’s been quite popular with tourists, even though the area is technically closed and restricted. Now, you’ll see youtube videos and blogs covering this abandoned water park in Vietnam. I don’t blame them though- it was quite the sight to see and definitely worth a trip. 

While many blogs said that there is a guy out front you can pay to let you in, there was no one there when we went and the front entrance was heavily inaccessible. Granted, we went in spring of 2020 and COVID-19 could have something to do with it. There was no one else visiting, but there was a man who looked potentially homeless/like he might be living there, laying on a tarp in the shade at the water park. There was also a skinny cow who probably belonged to said man.

How Do You Get to the Abandoned Water Park

The park is located in Hue. Hue, the former capital of Vietnam and known as the Imperial City, is worth a trip alone. It has its own airport, so you can fly in anywhere from Vietnam. Located in Central Vietnam, you can also take the train, bus or motorbike along the famous Hai Van Pass if you’re coming up from Da Nang or Hoi An. I highly recommend this route. 

The park itself is located 20 minutes from the main city center. You will wind through various neighborhoods and back roads. It is located on an unassuming residential street, with several houses on the same block. 

Any Grab or taxi driver will know, as well as any guides. Most locals in the area will probably be able to direct you if you can communicate with each other. It is on google maps however, it’s just a little tricky to find.

Know Before You Go

This area is technically off limits. The former official entrance to the park was off limits when we went there in 2020. Our guides hid our bikes in a shaded area across the street, and took us on a somewhat hidden dirt trail to the left of the official entrance. 

You do have to walk to get there. It’s not a hike per se, but it’s not exactly a walk in the park either. To be fair, the whole water park involves a lot of walking and stairs as well, so go with some energy. If it’s a super hot day, and you ride a motorbike, I would suggest biking all the way to the park and around the park. 

You can go with or without a guide. While I rarely say this, I would suggest going with one here. The main reason I suggest going with a guide is because it is off limits and a bit hidden. You have to go through various residential streets to get there, and if there were any issues with authorities, I would definitely want a native Vietnamese speaker to help facilitate that. That being said- don’t be scared. You’ll be fine. 

There are three different sections of the park. It is not just the huge circular building on the lake that you first stumble on. There are two other sections including a slide and pool area, and a little ride. They are further along the lake and you need to walk or bike to them.

Lastly, I know that water looks luscious and inviting but absolutely do not go swimming. You have no idea what is in the water.