The Abandoned Water Park Hue is an attraction for the most adventurous traveller. It is a fine line between creepy and mysterious to entice those willing to enter. Our guide to one of Vietnams most famous water parks covers everything including, bribery, water slides and crocodiles.
We expected this place to pass on through backpackers whispers in hostels and locals showing you on a map. We had the film The beach in our minds, where the location is scribbled on a napkin. Living in such a digital time, that idea was probably very hypocritical as we had found this place via Instagram and Google Maps.
Jump to
📍Where is the Abandoned Water Park
🚕How to get into the Abandoned Water Park
💦Where are the Water Slides?
🐊Crocodiles in the Water
🏠Where to Stay in Hue
*This post might contain our affiliate links. This is at no extra cost to you, but you would be doing us a solid if you did use them. It shows us your appreciation after we have written this amazing travel guide for you 😏*
This blog is another honest edition of ‘What is it really like’ as well as
some FAQ’S about the park its self. We like to help others explore, with us still telling our truth behind some of Vietnam’s most famous destinations.
Safety first, don’t be an idiot
When we asked our hotel receptionist about visiting here, she warned us that we could visit, but at our own risk. The park was actually declared dangerous in 2018, due to its poor structure and decaying buildings. We in no way would want anyone to ever hurt themselves while travelling.
Living in such a technological time, you are bound to know things like visiting abandoned places can be dangerous. We have seen YouTube videos of people with metal spikes in their feet from walking around this place. It is dangerous and as long as you’re not an idiot, you will be fine. Simple things can make you less of an idiot, such as wear trainers and maybe stay off the roof?
Travelling is about exploring and we don’t condone any of it, we just wish you aren’t an idiot while doing so. Thank you, you may continue.
Read how we got to Hue with the amazing Vietnam RoadTrippers here.
Why is the Hue Water Park Abandoned? 🏚️
The Thuy Tien lake water park was built and half-opened in 2004. Plans fell through and no official reason has ever been disclosed as to why it never took off. After that, the same thing happened in 2013 as another company picked up the project but evidently, nothing came of that either. Either way, they left behind some crocs, keep reading to find out what I’m on about.
Getting to the Abandoned Water Park Hue 🚕
The Water Park is located 8 km away from Hue city centre. Once we had found a driver, we asked him to wait as we were not sure if there were any Grabs (Asia’s Uber) would come and get us. Our taxi driver said he knew the way and he took us to the main entrance of the park.
After some locals appeared, they pointed us to the LEFT of the entrance. This was a smaller path off the beaten track which leads to the main attraction, the Dragon Head. From the Dragon you can walk around the LEFT of the lake to the other two attractions, the water slides and the water puppet stadium. Both equally creepy, both equally fun to explore. Near to the end, we even found a Safe that people had tried to open.
Main entrance
If you have moped and want to ride there yourself the abandoned waterpark in hue address is: Thuy Tien lake Abandoned Water Park
If you are planning a trip to the Golden Hand Bridge check out our experience here.
Bribing the security guard at the Abandoned Water Park Hue 💸
It is no secret the custom in Vietnam for westerns is to bribe an official. This has happened to us several times throughout our travels around this beautiful country. Whether it was paying a policeman for a traffic stop, or a train conductor to let us have a private room, it has become custom to us.
The security guard here wanted 20,000 Dong [$1] as entree fee. This bribe was by far the cheapest we have paid therefore we were very happy to fork over the money. The security guard might I add, was wearing fancy new sunglasses. An item I’m sure he has purchased with backpackers cash.
Firstly, we were aware we would have to bribe the guard before we arrived at the hue abandoned water park. I had read many reviews that had suggested you needed to catch him in a good mood etc and I had my doubts. As soon as we started to walk along the path some locals pointed to, we could hear the engine of his moped approaching.
I won’t lie, I was nervous. He approached the 4 of us and held his hand out and said ‘NO, 20,000 each’. We were all pleasantly surprised and paid him and carried on walking. Olly even got a video of it which you can check out here.
The guard does drive around the park on a moped, if you have not paid, he will find you. Reading some reviews online, if you haven’t paid he will remove you and will not let anyone else in that day. Don’t be an idiot and ruin it for others :).
Exploring the dragon water park
Once we had paid our entrance fee, we set off through the forest along the path. What we didn’t realise was how big the park actually is. Totally understand why the guard patrols on a moped. We had Google Maps loaded as it actually has the park marked out pretty well.
As we walked along the clearly marked path, we heard lots of other people up ahead. When the bush cleared we could see that lots of other backpackers had been successful as well. We could see that others were walking down a different path so we are sure there are a few routes from the entrance to the Dragon Head overlooking the lake.
The famous Dragonhead is what we came here to see and it was very impressive. The reflections in the water, made for a pretty good picture from any angle. Throughout dry season the lake can dry up and you left with the rubbish that has been left behind.
A few cows are hanging around so don’t be alarmed if the bushes start moving. Olly screamed very loudly as he was taking some photos and a cow popped out from behind him.
At the entrance to the walkway that leads to the dragon, you will even find some locals that have set up a little shop selling drinks for the thirsty explorers.
Enjoy exploring? Find out how to reach the best viewpoint in Halong Bay Here.
Inside the dragon at the abandoned waterpark in Vietnam 🐲
The Dragon Head was once an aquarium and you can see the remains of all the glass tanks as you walk inside. It is very dark inside, which for some reason I didn’t expect. We used our phones as torches and carried on exploring.
The funny thing is, we actually all got separated and I got very lost walking around all these different levels which lead to dead ends. The way to the top was around the outside, and up lots of stairs. Once you find your way to the top you can climb into the Dragons mouth.
When we got to the top, there were lots of locals hanging out and some backpackers taking photos. It is pretty cool to see how much more of the waterpark there is to explore from this high up. Even though the dragon’s mouth was a concrete structure, the thought that it might fall at any minute was constantly at the back of my mind.
Over the recent years lots of the water park has become more run down with the amount of visitors and no maintenance. You will see graffiti all over the place, loose brickwork, holes in the floors and broken glass.
Where are the Water Slides at the Abandoned Water Park Hue? 💦
The other attraction is the famous water slides. They can be found a short walk around the lake on the opposite side from the Dragon. If you are facing the dragon, with the makeshift shop behind you, walk around the dragon to the LEFT. You will stumble upon these slides in no time.
You can go to the top and attempt to slide down but the two either side look dodgy! There is a huge algae infested pool which is a brilliant shade of brown at the bottom. The overgrown palm trees either side of the water slides makes for a great photoshoot. Don’t blame us if you fall in.
See you later Alligator, in a while Crocodile 🐊
Rumour has it that there were once Crocodiles in an aquarium at the Hue abandoned water park. As the myth goes the crocodiles were left behind and the locals took it upon themselves to feed them.
Reports suggest that backpackers wrote to a few charity organisations and they were removed as they were starving. When we got to the Water slide swimming pool, I was expecting THAT shark scene from Ace Ventura, but with crocodiles to happen, but it didn’t. Here are a few things I have learnt about the Crocodiles in The Abandoned Water Park Hue.
Before we went to the water park these were the rumours I had come to learn.
- The crocodiles were initially discovered by backpackers
- The crocodiles live in the lake under the dragon
- There is 3 crocodiles at large
Since having gone to the Abandoned water park for my self, this is what I have learnt.
- There were 3 crocodiles in the Aquarium (which is technically under the Dragon as he is hugging the building)
- Finding them Under the dragon and The Lake under the dragon is a product of Chinese whispers. They were in their own tank inside the aquarium, under the dragon
- Locals did feed them as they managed to stay alive for a few years
- After being abandoned, they were so cramped in a tiny tank, they couldn’t move let alone eat you. They sat in decay and mould.
- Backpackers did write to PETA and WWF and they were soon removed in 2015.
image – Courtney Lambert Who fed the crocs in 2015
Abandoned Water park Hue FAQ’S
Where is the Abandoned Water Park Hue? 📍
The correct name for the waterpark is Thuy Tien lake Abandoned Water Park. You can find the location on google maps here.
How to get to the abandoned water park? 🚕
We booked a car through our hotel to take us there and wait outside until we were finished and took us straight back to our hotel. This cost us 700VND which is the same amount a grab would cost you including a waiting fee.
Will I need to bribe the guard? 💸
The simple answer is yes. He will find you if you haven’t. It’s only a small entrance fee to pay.
How much should I bribe the guard? 💸
Wait until he tells you a price. After that has happened then it’s up to you to barter. We paid 20,000 each ($1)
Is it safe at the Abandoned Water Park Hue? 🐊
Not really, but where is the fun in that!
What should I wear? 👚
Trainers and something you don’t mind getting dirty!
What should I bring?
Bring water as we can’t guarantee the drinks stall is there every day. There aren’t shops close by to our knowledge.
Water park amphitheatre
At the very end of the lake in the water park you will find the amphitheatre. We can only assume that once many years ago it was used to host a variety of show at Vientnams abandoned water park in Hue. No you can explore this showground and even visit the unfinished toilets underneath.
Accommodation in Hue 🏠
We spent our 2 nights at the Hue Serene Shining Hotel & Spa. We would highly recommend this hotel its location which is just on the edge of the main tourist section of the city. At the weekends two of the main roads are closed and walking streets are created. These two roads full of resultants and market stalls are Noel a two-minute walk from the hotel.
Best Sushi in Hue 🍣
Whilst you are staying in Hue you have to visit our favourite sushi spot TA.KE Japanese Restaurant. There are a few Sushi restaurants around the city but this was by far our favourite. Over the course of our 2-night stay we went every day. What more could you want tasty sushi and a very good price.
Check out the reviews and location.
Pin our Abandoned Water Park Hue guide for later!
