Hồ Thủy Tiên – The Abandoned Water Park in Hue
General venue
A recommended place without a particular LGBTQ+ positioning.
The place in a few words
About ten kilometres from Hue, Hồ Thủy Tiên is a former water park that opened in 2004 before construction was even complete. It soon closed due to financial difficulties, despite several attempts to revive it. The site is best known for its enormous concrete dragon in the middle of a lake, alongside abandoned slides, pools and graffiti-covered buildings. Redevelopment work has changed parts of the park, but some of its unusual atmosphere remains.
What we loved
We'd never tried urbex before — exploring abandoned places — and we genuinely loved this first experience! Being able to go inside the dragon and climb up into its mouth was pretty incredible. What struck us most, though, was the contrast with the rest of Hue: after visiting temples, the Imperial City and beautifully maintained royal tombs, finding ourselves in the middle of an abandoned water park felt fascinating.
Our tip
We recommend renting a bicycle at the park entrance and taking your time exploring the lake and the different structures. Don't just stop at the dragon! Allow at least an hour, or longer if you enjoy photography. Be careful around deteriorating structures: check the current access rules and avoid unstable areas, even if they appear accessible.
Read the article about Hue