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      Hue’s ghostly dragon park gets new life as community space

      A once-abandoned park featuring a giant dragon statue in central Vietnam’s Hue has been revitalized into a public space, drawing tourists and locals with its fresh upgrades.
      Hue's ghostly dragon park gets new life as community space

      Thuy Tien Lake Park in Thuy Bang Ward, Thuan Hoa District is surrounded by pine forests. Originally constructed in 2001 with an investment of VND70 billion ($2.74 million), the 49-hectare park included an aquarium, a musical fountain stage, water games, and a lakeside walkway.

      In 2008, a new developer took over with plans to renovate the site, but by 2017, the project had stalled. Hue city authorities reclaimed the land, repurposing the area into a community park.

      The Thuan Hoa District Green Park Center was assigned to carry out the renovations, backed by a budget of VND20 billion (about $780,000). Assets on the property were auctioned to recover debts.

      Hue's ghostly dragon park gets new life as community space

      At the center of the lake stands a dragon statue, once part of the aquarium. Though an earlier plan called for its demolition, the local government requested it remain untouched.

      The dragon, measuring over 20 meters in height and stretching 50 meters across the water, once featured in American media and has since become a photo spot.

      Cleanup efforts have cleared debris from inside the aquarium. Damaged concrete on the dragon’s head, which posed safety risks, was removed, and the staircase leading to the dragon’s mouth was repaired to accommodate visitors.

      The lower level of the statue, formerly housing aquatic species, had deteriorated and has now been dismantled.

       

      Hue's ghostly dragon park gets new life as community space

      The site continues to attract foreign tourists drawn to the dragon’s appearance and the natural beauty.

      Hue's ghostly dragon park gets new life as community space

      A 2-kilometer lakeside trail, 4.5 to 6 meters wide, is now paved with granite over a concrete base and equipped with lighting.

      Hue's ghostly dragon park gets new life as community space

      Part of the former sculpture exhibition area has also been upgraded with granite flooring.

      Click to flip image

      The park’s former musical fountain stage, once designed to seat 2,500, had long been abandoned. It was recently dismantled by a contracted company, returning the land to the city.

      The area has been leveled and a new granite-paved pathway installed.

       

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      The water play zone, previously left in disrepair, has also been cleaned up. More trees have been planted along the lake, creating additional green space, while remaining equipment was collected by the auction-winning company.

       

      Hue's ghostly dragon park gets new life as community space

      Visitors, especially foreigners, enjoy climbing to the dragon’s mouth for a panoramic view of the park.

      While trash and debris inside the statue have been removed, the graffiti art on the walls has been preserved.

      Hue's ghostly dragon park gets new life as community space

      The road leading into the park now features lighting and waste bins for cleanliness.

      Hue's ghostly dragon park gets new life as community space

      The trail encircling the lake, shaded by pine trees, has become a popular route for walking and cycling in the mornings and afternoons.

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