Why Is Abandoned Thuy Tien Lake Still Hot? The Truth Behind Its Mysterious Beauty

Nestled amidst the green pine forests of Thien An Hill, Thuy Tien Lake lies approximately 8–10 km southwest of Hue city center. The area situated near the Thien An Monastery-already possessed a tranquil, poetic charm with its lush green slopes; however, as the park has weathered with time, the landscape has acquired a unique, mysterious allure.

The project site spans nearly 50 hectares (approximately 495,000–496,000 m²). Visitors can travel from Hue city center by motorbike, taxi, or xe om(motorbike taxi), a journey taking about 20–30 minutes depending on the route and traffic conditions. While the access road to Thuy Tien Lake was once quiet and difficult to locate, the path has since been upgraded, making it clearer and more convenient. This has made the trip easier, allowing visitors to discover one of Hue’s most intriguing and distinctively beautiful destinations.

Construction on Thuy Tien Lake began around 2000–2001 with an initial investment of over 70 billion VND; it was once envisioned as a modern entertainment complex for Hue. The project featured an aquarium, a musical water stage with a seating capacity of approximately 2,500, a swimming pool, water slides, restaurants, and a villa resort area. Although the park officially opened in 2004, it could not sustain long-term operations. Challenges regarding business viability arose because the facility launched while many components remained unfinished, its location was relatively far from the city center, and visitor numbers were insufficient to offset high operating costs.

Subsequently, the site was transferred to Haco Hue Company, which planned to invest an additional 270 billion VND to transform it into an eco-tourism zone. However, this plan also fell short of expectations due to capital constraints and operational difficulties. The park officially closed around 2011. In 2017, after the project had sat abandoned for a long period, the Thua Thien Hue provincial authorities decided to reclaim the land and place it under state management. Structures once built for leisure and entertainment became overgrown with moss and dense vegetation, while many facilities fell into disrepair—unintentionally creating the unique, desolate aesthetic that defines Thuy Tien Lake today. Having failed as a commercial venture, the site has entered a new "life": it has become an intriguing destination that sparks the curiosity of travelers and draws special attention from photographers.

Despite being abandoned, Thuy Tien Lake has become a "hot" destination thanks to its haunting, mysterious beauty-a perfect blend of dilapidated man-made architecture and untamed nature. A massive dragon statue, originally designed as an aquarium, stands out within the grounds; the dragon's body once housed fish tanks, while its head rises high above the lake's surface. Over time, moss has blanketed the walls, lending the dragon an even more solemn and enigmatic air. From this vantage point, visitors can gaze out over the lake and the surrounding green pine hills. The tranquil water, old slides, a musical fountain stage, and decaying structures adorned with graffiti create a scene vastly different from the familiar, ancient charm of Hue. As vegetation creeps through the walls and morning mist settles over Thien An Hill, the site takes on a surreal, somewhat eerie, yet captivating beauty.

Thuy Tien Lake has long attracted photography enthusiasts, explorers, and travelers seeking offbeat destinations. Its raw, desolate atmosphere creates a unique allure, making it a frequent reference point when discussing "dark tourism" sites in Vietnam.

This appeal grew significantly after images of Thuy Tien Lake began appearing in international media around 2016. Furthermore, the lake has served as a backdrop for various international music videos-including those by Niki & 88rising (2018), ONF (2019), and MEDUZA (2022)-further boosting its popularity on social media. Once a forgotten park, it has evolved into one of Hue’s most peculiar tourist attractions-a place where beauty lies not in perfection, but in the marks left by the passage of time.

Beyond its dilapidated state, Thuy Tien Lake has long been associated with oral legends describing it as a "haunted" place, a site of strange phenomena, or a source of unsolved mysteries. However, this allure stems more from human imagination than from verifiable evidence.

To date, no reliable documentation confirms the occurrence of supernatural events or the tragic incidents often rumored to have taken place at Thuy Tien Lake. The site's mysterious atmosphere arises primarily from its eerie silence, decaying structures, the fading light at dusk, and the sounds of wind, rustling trees, and water echoing across the vast expanse. Stories regarding crocodiles left behind at the site are also frequently recounted; however, accounts vary and have evolved into multiple versions over time, further deepening the mystery.

In reality, the most distinctive aspect of Thuy Tien Lake lies not in the supernatural. It is the passage of time, the state of abandonment, and the way nature has gradually reclaimed the unfinished structures that give the place its unique character.

After years of neglect and dilapidation, Thuy Tien Lake has been renovated and opened to visitors and local residents. Phase 1 of the renovation project began in mid-2024 with a budget of approximately 20 billion VND, gradually transforming the site's appearance while preserving the distinctive features of the original park. By 2025, Phase 1 was largely complete:

• A nearly 2-kilometer walking and cycling path around the lake was paved with granite and equipped with lighting and drainage systems.

• The landscape was cleared and planted with additional greenery, resulting in a cleaner and safer environment.

• The park is now open to the community free of charge, serving as a green space for strolling, picnicking, and photography.

Future plans involve exploring a second phase of renovation, aiming to introduce camping and outdoor recreation activities while developing eco-tourism.

If you want to fully experience Thuy Tien Lake after its renovation and explore poetic Thien An Hill, join the Thien An Hill & Thuy Tien Lake tour by Sovaba Travel. The journey will not only take you to admire the lake's eerie beauty blended with new life, but also lead you to Thien An Hill, the "green lungs" of Hue, where romantic pine forest scenery was once compared to a "miniature Da Lat". This will surely be the perfect choice to learn history, enjoy nature, and capture rare, unique photos. Book your tour today with Sovaba Travel to be among the first travelers to experience the new look of Thuy Tien Lake and the magical beauty of Thien An Hill.