Ho Thuy Tien: The Abandoned Water Park in Hue
Iām a real fan of abandoned places. So when I read about an abandoned water park in Hue, Vietnam, I knew I had to make a visit. Located just 8 kilometres from Hueās city centre, the water park, called Ho Thuy Tien, is situated around Thuy Tien Lake and has been left abandoned for well over a decade.
Upon exploring its grounds, youāll find rusty waterslides, a deserted lazy river, crumbling villas, and ā the star of the show ā a giant metal dragon that rises up out of the centre of the lake. Youāll also find a car which resembles Arthur Weasleyās Ford Anglia.
There are a ton of abandoned sites across Southeast Asia, attracting urbex explorers world-over. Ho Thuy Tien is no different. After it was abandoned, backpackers began to flock to the place, allured by the idea of crumbling architecture and forbidden access. Like a scene from a post-apocalyptic movie, Hueās abandoned water park is creepy, deserted and begging to be explored.
Is it still possible to visit Hue’s abandoned water park in 2025?
Yes, people still visit the abandoned water park regularly. It used to be a challenge to get in, as a security guard would be stationed at the entrance to prevent you from accessing the site. He could sometimes be bribed, or you could sneak in through a back entrance.
However, this is no longer the case ā people are being granted access with no issues now. Upon arrival, you’ll likely be charged 20 dong to enter, and 10 dong to park your scooter if you have one.
Please note that you will be visiting at your own risk. Ho Thuy Tien was declared dangerous back in April 2018 as many of the structures are now unstable. I advise you to be sensible if you choose to visit the park: wear sturdy, close-toed shoes, do not climb on structures and do not visit alone in case you get injured.
Why was Ho Thuy Tien abandoned?
Ho Thuy Tien opened its doors in 2004, having cost approximately 3 million USD to build, featuring water slides, swimming pools, aquatic shows and an aquarium. It may sound impressive, but just two years later, it closed its doors.
It appears that no one is certain as to why Ho Thuy Tien closed. But from what I gather, it was developed by Company Hue Tourism, who planned for the water park to be the biggest attraction in the region. For some reason, they opened it to the public when it was only half-finished. Opening a half-built water park turned out not to be the best business endeavour, as the funding soon ran out, and Ho Thuy Tien was left abandoned in 2006.
The ownership was passed to a company called HACO in 2013, who planned to rebuild the park in an eco-tourism venture. These plans failed, and the park was left forgotten once again.
Some locals believe the water park to be cursed, which is why the project kept failing. I’m not a believer in the supernatural, but as you delve into the parkās depths, you certainly feel an eerie, almost ghostly atmosphere.
Exploring the abandoned water park ā what to see?
Once inside the park, you can easily follow a cracked path that loops around the lake. It’ll take you to an abandoned amphitheatre, where tourists would have sat to watch aquatic shows; to the dragon aquarium; to a section within the forest where rusting waterslides and an algae-covered lazy river lay; and to a series of crumbling villas where tourists would have stayed.
The dragon
The best part of Hue’s abandoned water park is the magnificent metal dragon that rises up from the centre of the lake. The paint is peeling, and the metal is rusting, and, particularly as we went on a grey, misty day, it looks like something from a nightmare.
You can walk out onto the lake via a walkway and enter the dragon. Inside, youāll find an aquarium with shattered glass, ruined terrariums and an old walkthrough tunnel. We spent a good while exploring the inside of the dragon ā we needed a torch for most of this as it was pretty dark in there, and we could also climb right up into the jaws of the dragon and gaze out across the lake.
The Amphitheatre
You’ll find an old amphitheatre at the end of the lake. I imagine it was used to host shows while the water park was in operation. It’s certainly interesting to explore now, and you can even visit some creepy unfinished toilets underneath.
The water slides
After the dragon, the water slides are probably the next most interesting feature. These are a set of 3 slides which go down into a swimming pool, which is now rather dirty and algae-clad. You can climb to the top of the waterslides and peer down at the water below.
The villas
At the opposite end of the park to the amphitheatre is a series of derelict buildings. These appear to be guest accommodations, although I also found a room containing some computers.
The car
Not far from the villas is a model of a car decorated with marine details and which kind of looks like Arthur Weasley’s Ford Anglia.
How to get to Hue’s abandoned water park
The best way to get to the abandoned water park is by taxi or motorbike. It’s only a 15/20 minute drive from Hue’s city centre, and we paid 200,000 VND (about $9) for a taxi. The driver will most likely know where Ho Thuy Tien is, so it shouldn’t be an issue.
An article from the Huffington Post reads, āthe abandoned waterpark is so cryptic, backpackers pass directions around on scrunched-up napkins, drop pins on Google Maps and show each other photos to get to the right place.ā This is simply not the case ā if you type Ho Thuy Tien into Google Maps, it will come up straight away.
Would you visit Hue’s abandoned water park? If you’re a big fan of abandoned places, you might want to check out this abandoned theme park in Bali, too.
About The Author
Lauren Pears is a freelance travel writer and blogger who writes about active adventure travel. She’s been blogging for almost 10 years, and has written for publications such as Lonely Planet, World Nomads, and Southeast Asia Backpacker.
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I couldn’t find the Amphitheatre or Villas when I went today, can you show how to get there from the Dragon?
This is sooo cool! We would totally love to visit, but I would probably be nervous about getting in trouble being there if we werenāt allowed, haha. It seems so eerie and unique, and I love the info you included in this post! Xx Sara
I would not like visit an abandoned park or place. As it looks really creepy and deserted after-all. I am more curious to know why this place is abandoned. Is it safe to visit an abandon place in a foreign location ?
I never visiting an abandoned water park and never planning in future too. It is sad that you caught Zika virus from here. Sometimes going to abandoned places carry lot of risk. Take care!
A great find of you enjoy abandoned places but a bit creepy. Will say not one for me though. The dragon is the most interesting thing in the whole park. Lucky you are allowed to get in. You would never be able access a pla Eloise this in the U.K. thanks for sharing this unique place tough
That’s so scary about catching zika!! Mosquitos always eat me alive, so thanks for the warning. Though it’s so sad to see the waterpark abandoned and unloved, I love the remoteness of it. It’s eerie yet makes for some excellent photos!
Seems like an unseen destination. I am not a huge fan of abandoned places . Esp when you say the algae was leading to smelly water I am not sure if I will visit here. But it looks interesting too. I am confused š
What an interesting experience and adventure. The place does seem to have an eerie aura. Have never visited an abandoned water park, though recently visited an abandoned hospital that was supposed to be haunted. Your pictures bring alive the morose nature and sad state of the Park, which could have been reverberating to the joyful shrieks of children playing.
The pictures are so beautiful. I share your love for such quirky places and will keep this in mind when I get time to visit Vietnam
This is really sad as it seems to look like a really nice place before. I am also not a fan of abandoned places since I find it really creepy.
Lauren this is amazing!
I’ve heard so many vague things about abandoned amusement parks (I think there’s one near Berlin also) and how eery they are but never really knew quite where to find them. Such a great blog post, I’m going to keep checking out your others š
Stephanie
https://www.stephanierumore.com/
PS. Sorry to hear about Zika! Hope you’re feeling a bit better now thats horrible!
Wow this is creepily beautiful. What a great adventure and I agree with the other comments that the dragon looks so cool! (maybe now that its degraded some?)
Yeah the dragon is really cool! It probably looked a bit less creepy when it was newly built haha
That is quite an adventure. Cool yet terrifying at the same time. So sorry you caught Zika virus. Hope you are better now š Do you know why the park was abandoned in the first place?
Yes I am much better now thank you! And I believe it was abandoned because funding ran out and so it was just left.
Honestly, I probably would’ve listened to the guard. There’s usually a really good reason people have for not allowing someone into a place. Hope you’re okay after the Zika virus.
Yeah, I probably should have! I generally find things with an element of danger are more fun though :p
But yes I have recovered now, thank you!
I have never explored an abandoned water park! Like you I too think that dragon is the main attraction. Nonetheless, your pictures are nice; I especially loved the picture of the lake.
Thanks Chirasree!
I would love to do this! It kinda of reminds me of Jurassic Park. What an adventure. š
It did have a strong Jurassic Park vibe!
This looks wild! Can honestly say I’ve never thought to explore an abandoned amusement park, but these pictures are making me want to. Glad to see that you’ve recovered from Zika!
Abandoned amusement park is my exact idea of fun haha! And thanks, I was pretty ill but am all good now š
Oh yes, abandoned places are SO cool. I would love to explore the water park and get up into the dragon’s mouth too. Were a little tempted to go down slide lol? I hope you are feeling much better. I am always so wary of stagnant water and the bugs that infest it!
I was very tempted to walk down the slide a little but it had been raining recently so I was worried it might be slippery haha.. the thought of sliding into the stagnant water did not sound fun :p And yes I’m all recovered now.. I should have put bug spray on really, its my own fault!
I’ve always wanted to visit this abandoned waterpark (ever since I first heard about it last year at least haha). Although hearing that you might have caught Zika there is a little scary! I also have a travel blogger friend who got a bad injury there from stubbing her toe (and losing her big toe nail) on a sharp rusty iron spike that was hidden and jutting up out of the lawn. So it sounds like a lot of trouble can come from visiting…
Yeah I mean the guard that was trying to stop us going in was probably there for a reason… I hope your friend is okay now- losing your big toe sounds painful!
This place is so cool (and creepy š) I would totally want to visit. I love abandoned places like this. I think theyāre so interesting!
They are really interesting! More interesting than before they were abandoned in my opinion š
This images are insanely beautiful…. To bad this location has been abandoned. Nice post.
Thank you!
This is incredibly cool!! I have a bit of a fascination with exploring abandoned places. They do have an eerie and creepy feel to them, but it’s so fun to explore.
You got some excellent capture here too. It looks like you had a good time!
I think it being eerie and creepy is what makes it more fun!
I think I am in love… This is beautiful, perfect and just what travel is all about. LOVE LOVE it.
Yeah its pretty cool eh?
I would definitely visit this abandoned park. It looks amazing. A little creepy but wouldn’t skip this for anything.
Creepy is what made it fun!
This really seems like it was a cool park when it was up and running. Shame itās shut down. Great pictures!!
I’m sure it would have been! Thanks š
I’ve been to Hue, too, but didn’t know about this – indeed creepy – water park. I only visited the citadel and the ancient graves which was very interesting and beautiful. I wouldn’t dare to enter an abandoned place – actually anywhere in the world…scared of dogs’n’guards š
The citadel was so pretty! Loved all the temples there. You should totally visit some abandoned places though- I get a right thrill out of them š
Yes, I would visit! I can’t say this type of thing has always interested me but lately, it’s really growing me! The dragon in the middle of everything definitely got my attention so I was excited to read what it was and surprised to find out it was an aquarium. I thought that was the coolest part. Also weird to know that no one else was there except for the other 2 Americans. Although, I had never heard of it admittedly. But hey, that’s the way to get the best photos right? Cool, unique article!
Thanks so much! The dragon really was cool- it definitely set the scene for the whole water park. You should visit some day for sure š
Yikes! Sorry to hear you got Zika from there. Mosquitoes love me and I’m super allergic, so I might have to be happy with seeing your photos and reading about it. Looks like a unique place to visit!
Yeah zika was pretty rough! If you’re allergic then you probably do want to stay away- there were loadsss of them haha
I think I’d just rather take a look at this place on your blog! š First, I would give up because of the guard, second, I’d probably worry that those rusty structure would collapse. :/ It looks like a perfect setting for a post-apocalyptic movie though!
The best places often require the most effort to get to though! But yes, it would be a cool place to shoot a movie for sure š
I am way too much of a chicken to enter a place that I am obviously not allowed to enter, but looking at your pictures it is an amazing experience. Maybe I should try to grow some balls and explore the forbidden places as well. Thanks for the inspiration.
It’s so worth it- go for it Lena!
Cool dragon! Such a waste of public funds. Did they not run their numbers before embarking on an elephant project? Smh. I steer clear of abandoned anything due to my numerous readings of ghost stories and all lol. Hope you’re better now.
It really is a waste of funds! Perhaps they under calculated the costs. Haha, the ghost stories are what pulls me in to places like this- I love abandoned places š And yes I’m all better now thank you!
What an interesting find, funny how you had to sneak in. Yes, that dragon is equally cool and creepy Your photos are great, thanks for sharing!
Thanks for reading Delisa!
Apart from the Zika, guards, criminal trespassing and potential crocodiles this sounds like an amazing trip. Seriously though, it does look pretty dang cool and climbing the dragon looks epic. If you’re ever in Arizona, you should check out the abandoned nuclear missile silos. there is one you can enter (apart from the Titan Missile Museum) just off of I-10. Hearing your stories of exploring Thuy Tien Lake Park reminds me of that place for some reason. Hope you get well soon from your Zika.
Ooh that does sound cool- gonna have to head to Arizona soon! And thank you, Iām all recovered now š
Wow this looks so cool as well as terrifying! What a shame it is no longer used as it looks as if it would have been amazing in its heyday, I love the dragon on the lake. Also you caught the Zika virus?! Are you okay now??
Yeah the dragon is so cool! And yes Iām all good now thankfully :p