Guide to Dai Nam Tourist Park
Stone bridge leads to Dai Nam Tourist Park
The intense heat of Saigon coupled with the non-stop hustle and bustle could end up driving you insane if you spend too long without any respite. Locals try to balance their lives by partaking in relaxing activities at the weekend away from the hectic city. A popular place to enjoy a break from it all is the Dai Nam Tourist Park, a manmade paradise ideal for escaping the intenseness of everyday life in Saigon.
Opened in 2008 and built within a 22 hectare area of land, the Dai Nam Van Hien Tourist Park features a water surface totalling 10,000 square metres and is rapidly developing into one of the south’s favourite tourist spots. Its manmade beach stretches for more than a kilometre, while artificial waves are produced reaching heights of around 1.5 metres.
The original intention of the designers was to create a wave system which would make visitors feel like they were at a real Vietnamese coastal resort. The surrounding area continues that theme, with tree-covered islets and green coconut trees which provide fresh fruit juices. More on daytrips.
Away from the stunning artificial coastline, the park also features manmade lakes and mountains. The realistic mountain range consists of five supposed mountains which are roughly 65 metres high and stretch for 250 metres. This majestic mountain range’s undoubted highlight is the seven-storey tower which was made to worship historical Vietnamese characters including leader Ho Chi Minh, the 18 dynasties’ Hung Kings and various other martyrs and heroes who devoted their lives to building and defending the country. The sanctuary also includes a number of Buddha statues and a strong fragrant incense.
In addition to the picturesque views, the park also provides a taste of the country’s history. The Dai Nam Van Hien Temple, also called the Kim Dien Temple, is among the park’s most impressive structures and features displays from various dynasties throughout Vietnam’s history, including the Nguyen and Ngo Dynasties.
The temple is three storeys high covering approximately 5,000 square metres and pays homage to national heroes as well as Buddha. Its dome features fabulous images of birds, and the temple is beautifully adorned with impressive depicts of the supernatural creatures, namely the phoenix, the tortoise, the unicorn and the dragon. More on art.
Main building of Dai Nam Tourist Park
The Bao Giang River flows around the temple and is home to numerous species of fish. This manmade river was built to resemble the magnificent Mekong River which was largely responsible for creating Vietnam’s fertile southern delta. Bonsai and flowers are on each side of the river.
Also located by the river are various forms of entertainment, including a mirrored ‘laughing house’, a mini train and a circus for kids as well as several water slides and a roller coaster. Adults can bathe in the warm water stream or partake in some tai chi. The recreational zones in this areas of the park are separated by narrow flower-lined paths and grassy areas.
Vietnam’s northern region is also featured in the park, with a replica of the world renowned Halong Bay. The impressive manmade bay takes up 180,000 square metres of land, is filled with water and features large and small artificial limestone mountains.
Dai Nam also displays replicas of many world-renowned structures including the Eiffel Tower, Angkor Wat, the Kremlin, the Statue of Liberty and Thailand’s Golden Pagoda.
Another major attraction in the park is the Dai Nam Zoo. It is home to a wide array of wild and rare creatures including white lions, rhinos, giraffes and zebras. Animals are provided more space here than in a normal zoo, while people are also closer to them than in regular zoos. To protect visitors there are various safety measures including deep spaces between man and beast. The zoo features four main sections which include areas for reptiles, carnivorous animals, herbivorous animals and small animals.
One of the best places to get the perfect holiday snap is on the Ngoc Bich Bridge. It crosses a river, a huge mountain and the striking Thanh Van Gate – a solid wall which represents the feudal history of the Orient. Along the wall are a number of statues of soldiers with spears and shields in hand and distant looks, suggesting they are keeping an eye out for enemies. More on history.
If you still have enough time left in the day, there is an entertainment complex with an artificial snow dome and 4D movie theatres. There is also a shopping area and an excellent choice of Vietnamese, international and fast food restaurants. Getting around Dai Nam is easy, with electronic trains passing through every area of the park and ensuring you don’t have to spend hours walking around trying to find what you’re looking for.
A bus runs to Dai Nam from the main bus terminal in Saigon or alternatively, if you’re feeling particularly flash or are in a group, you can arrange a taxi.
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