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Hồ Thủy Tiên: The haunting beauty of Vietnam's abandoned water park

A forgotten dragon-shaped aquarium and rusted rides tell the story of a dream that faded. Now, nature and graffiti reclaim this surreal Vietnamese landmark.

The image shows the ruins of a stone wall in a park, with a board with text on it, a fence, grass,...
The image shows the ruins of a stone wall in a park, with a board with text on it, a fence, grass, a group of trees, a bridge, and a cloudy sky in the background.

Hồ Thủy Tiên: The haunting beauty of Vietnam's abandoned water park

Hồ Thủy Tiên water park in Huế was once a bustling attraction, built in the early 2000s with an investment of VNĐ70 billion (US$2.7 million). Now abandoned, it has become a hauntingly beautiful ruin, drawing visitors from around the world.

The park opened to great expectations but closed in 2011 due to poor maintenance and a lack of long-term planning. Over the years, nature took over, with moss, trees, and graffiti covering the decaying structures. Its towering dragon-shaped aquarium and rusted rides still stand, creating an eerie yet photogenic landscape.

In 2017, CNN listed Hồ Thủy Tiên among the world's most fascinating abandoned theme parks. Since then, it has gained even more attention, featured in express.co.uk for 'dark tourism' because of its ghostly atmosphere and rumoured hauntings. Despite its decay, the site has become a magnet for photographers, backpackers, and adventure-seekers exploring Huế.

Local authorities have recently started cleaning up the area around Thủy Tiên Lake. While no major redevelopment plans have emerged in the last five years, the space is slowly being transformed into a recreational area. Visitors now wander through the ruins, taking photos and enjoying the strange beauty of the abandoned park.

The abandoned waterpark remains a unique draw for tourists, blending decay with natural beauty. Without formal revival projects, it continues to attract those seeking an offbeat experience in Huế. For now, the site stands as a quiet reminder of its past—both a lost attraction and an unexpected destination.

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