Water Park In Ho Chi Minh City

And now for something different. The Saigon Water Park is a giant oasis in the suburbs of Saigon. This refreshing complex on the banks of the Saigon River is chock-full of pools and water rides: loop-the-loop slides, a children's wading pool and even a 'wave pool'.

This Australian-built leisure land is the perfect antidote for anyone who needs to cool down from an overdose of pagodas and museums. Except for the weekend crowds, there is absolutely nothing traditionally Vietnamese about the place, right down to the real live lifeguards whistling out their Baywatch fantasies. Anyone with kids and a half-day to spare will quickly come to appreciate this wet and wonderful playground on a sweltering Saigon day. Bring a waterproof camera. There is also a restaurant here with fine views over the river.

The park is open 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday, 9 am to 8 pm Saturday and 8 am to 8 pm on Sunday and public holidays. The best time to avoid the crowds is between 11 am and 2 pm on weekdays (most Vietnamese stay out of the midday sun) but this is also the best time of day to get sun burnt.

The all-you-can-splash and slide entry fee is 60,000d (US$4.30), or 35,000d for a 'swim-only' ticket (access to swimming pools, but not water slides). Children (defined as people under 1.1 m in height) pay 35,000d (US$2.50).

Saigon Water Park is on D Kim Van Can, in the Thu Due District (near Go Dua Bridge). It's too far for cyclos, but you can take a meter taxi for about US$4, or catch a shuttle bus (once every half-hour) from Ben Thanh Market for US$0.40.

Since people began flocking to Saigon Water Park, others have followed suit. Now there are several other water parks, including Vietnam Water World (near Saigon Water Park), Sharks (in Cholon) and another in Dam Sen Park.