Located on Hoa Binh Road in District 11 of Ho Chi Minh City, Dam Sen (Lotus Lake) Cultural Park is seen as an oasis in this noisy, bustling economic hub. It is a tourist complex with great harmony between nature and human beings, and an attractive destination for both domestic and foreign visitors.
Prior to1975, the present-day Dam Sen Cultural Park in District 11 of Ho Chi Minh (HCM) City was a wild, submerged area. Over the years, thanks to millions of working hours rendered by the local citizens, it is now ranked at the top nationwide in terms of its large area and valuable attractions for sight-seeing and entertainment.
Currently, out of its total 50ha in space, more than 60 percent is covered with trees and ornamental plants, and the other 20 percent with water.
Currently, out of its total 50ha in space, more than 60 percent is covered with trees and ornamental plants, and the other 20 percent with water.
 Thuy Ta Lake at Dam Sen Cultural Park. Photo: Nguyen Luan/VNP  Dam Sen Cultural Park attracts a large number of tourists on holidays or weekends. Photo: Nguyen Luan/VNP |
| « Prior to 1975, the present-day Dam Sen Cultural Park was a wild, submerged area. During 1976-1978, thousands of laborers from Ho Chi Minh City were mobilized to reclaim the land and plant trees. In 1983, the 30ha-large park began operations and since has become one of the most attractive tourist sites in Vietnam. » |
In the park, many items of different cultures are displayed, such as a Japanese style tea inn and peach blossom garden, a reproduction of an ancient Roman square, a royal garden with romantic landscapes, and an orchid garden with diverse species, among others.
Visitors to Dam Sen Park will have a chance to discover the unique cultural features of the Vietnamese southerners. They include performances of folk songs and music, displays of traditional handicraft articles and gastronomy, a floating market, a bird singing contest, and folk games and other entertainment.
On holidays or the traditional lunar festival in particular, visitors can enjoy watching the Spring Flower Fair, a bonsai plants contest and dragon dance performances amid an exciting and happy atmosphere.
The Dam Sen Food Fair is held once every two years at the park to introduce to visitors the daily life of people in the south western region. Hundreds of traditional dishes and specialties are presented to gastronomists by local cooks coming from Can Tho City and provinces of Soc Trang, Dong Thap, Bac Lieu, etc.
Dam Sen Park is especially loved by children thanks to its fascinating entertainments held around the year. Rowing on the lake and enjoying schools of fish swimming will bring visitors wonderful relaxing moments. Meanwhile, those who like “thrilling” games can take the roller coaster or the spinning coaster, or join in a waterfall crossing. They can also explore life in the virtual world at the “horrible” palace.
Due to visitors’ increasing demand for entertainment, the park’s managers have invested in installing more facilities, including the crazy train.
Dam Sen aquarium is among the “hot spots” of the park. Built in the shape of a sea crab on an area of over 3,000 square metres, it is the world for more than 6,000 aquatic animals and plants. Visitors will find new experiences by crossing through an under-sea continent, stopping at the legendary Atlantic City, going along the world’s longest river, or exploring the huge flora in the Mekong River basin. Most of the samples in the aquarium were brought from the sea off Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands while the rest come from the Amazon and Mekong Rivers.
Visitors to Dam Sen Park will have a chance to discover the unique cultural features of the Vietnamese southerners. They include performances of folk songs and music, displays of traditional handicraft articles and gastronomy, a floating market, a bird singing contest, and folk games and other entertainment.
On holidays or the traditional lunar festival in particular, visitors can enjoy watching the Spring Flower Fair, a bonsai plants contest and dragon dance performances amid an exciting and happy atmosphere.
The Dam Sen Food Fair is held once every two years at the park to introduce to visitors the daily life of people in the south western region. Hundreds of traditional dishes and specialties are presented to gastronomists by local cooks coming from Can Tho City and provinces of Soc Trang, Dong Thap, Bac Lieu, etc.
Dam Sen Park is especially loved by children thanks to its fascinating entertainments held around the year. Rowing on the lake and enjoying schools of fish swimming will bring visitors wonderful relaxing moments. Meanwhile, those who like “thrilling” games can take the roller coaster or the spinning coaster, or join in a waterfall crossing. They can also explore life in the virtual world at the “horrible” palace.
Due to visitors’ increasing demand for entertainment, the park’s managers have invested in installing more facilities, including the crazy train.
Dam Sen aquarium is among the “hot spots” of the park. Built in the shape of a sea crab on an area of over 3,000 square metres, it is the world for more than 6,000 aquatic animals and plants. Visitors will find new experiences by crossing through an under-sea continent, stopping at the legendary Atlantic City, going along the world’s longest river, or exploring the huge flora in the Mekong River basin. Most of the samples in the aquarium were brought from the sea off Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands while the rest come from the Amazon and Mekong Rivers.
  Dam Sen aquarium covers more than 3,000m2 and has about 6,000 species of aquatic organisms. Photo: Nguyen Luan/VNP  The park consists of many outdoor rides, suitable for people of different ages. Photo: Nguyen Luan/VNP  Swan pedal boats on Thuy Ta Lake in the park. Photo: Nguyen Luan/VNP    Many cultural festivals and events are held in the park. Photo: Nguyen Luan/VNP |
Dam Sen Park is also a safe sanctuary for many valuable species of animals and birds, including more than 80 species of birds and 30 species of animals.
Each year, the park attracts millions of visitors who come over for relaxation and entertainment./.
Story: Nguyen Oanh - Photos: Nguyen Luan
