Amusement park: Ho Chi Minh City and near

Amusement park: Ho Chi Minh City and near

Summary: This detailed guide provides essential information on traveling from your apartment to major entertainment parks like **Dam Sen**, **Suoi Tien**, and the new **Grand Park Complex** using the future Metro connection. Learn about ticket prices, must-try rides, and a deep-dive analysis of each park's strengths and weaknesses.

1. Inner-City Entertainment Spots

A. Dam Sen Cultural Park (Dry & Water)

Ticket Price: 140K - 200K VND (All-in packages).
Getting there (Nearest Metro):
1. Take Grab/Taxi from your apartment to Ga Metro Bến Thành.
2. Nearest Metro Station is Ga Metro Hòa Hưng (Tuyến số 2, Tương lai). From the station, take Grab/Taxi for about 15 minutes.

Pros:

  • Central location, easy access from most city districts.
  • Offers both a Dry Park (thrills) and a Water Park (cooling off).
  • Great value for families and local residents.

Cons:

  • Facilities are visibly old; some areas lack modern upkeep.
  • Can be overcrowded on weekends and holidays.
  • Lack of seamless connection with current public transit systems.

Overall Rating: 8/10 (Reliable Fun)

Must-Try Attractions:

  • Roller Coaster
  • Power Surge (Speed Spinner)
  • Super Speed Slide (Water Park)

B. Suoi Tien Cultural Theme Park

Ticket Price: Entrance ~150K VND + separate ride tickets (can add up quickly).
Getting there (Direct Metro Connection - T1):
1. Take Grab/Taxi from your apartment to Ga Metro Bến Thành.
2. Take Metro Line 1 to Ga Khu Du Lịch Suối Tiên (Station 12).
3. Walk directly into the park (approx. 50-100m).

Pros:

  • Direct connection with Metro Line 1 (when operational).
  • Unique cultural and mythological theme (Vietnamese legends).
  • Massive scale and diverse attractions (Zoo, Water Park, Temples).

Cons:

  • Architecture can feel outdated or eccentric to some visitors.
  • Buying individual ride tickets makes the total cost expensive.
  • Far from the city center, making road travel time-consuming.

Overall Rating: 7.5/10 (Culture & Fun)

Must-Try Attractions:

  • Tien Dong - Ngoc Nu Beach (Water Park)
  • Snow Castle
  • Kylin Palace (Spooky Cave)

2. Suburban and Neighboring Attractions

A. Grand Park Entertainment Complex (VinWonders) - TP. Thủ Đức

Ticket Price: Entrance FREE / Combo ticket ~200K - 250K VND.
Getting there (Metro Connection - T1):
1. Take Grab/Taxi from your apartment to Ga Metro Bến Thành.
2. Take Metro Line 1 to Ga Bến Xe Miền Đông Mới (Station 14).
3. Catch a VinBus or Grab/Taxi (approx. 10-15 mins) to Vinhomes Grand Park.

Pros:

  • Brand new and modern facilities, high standards.
  • Integrated into a large urban area with shopping, dining, and parks.
  • Affordable combo ticket price compared to other large parks.

Cons:

  • Requires a final bus/taxi connection from the nearest Metro station.
  • Lacks the sheer scale of attractions compared to a full-fledged VinWonders resort park.
  • Located on the far eastern side of the city.

Overall Rating: 8/10 (Modern Value)

Must-Try Attractions:

  • "Tropical Island" Water Park
  • Tsunami Bay (Large wave pool)
  • High-speed Roller Coasters

B. The Amazing Bay Water Park (Son Tien, Đồng Nai)

Ticket Price: 350K - 550K VND (Water Park Package).
Getting there (Metro Connection - T1):
1. Take Grab/Taxi from your apartment to Ga Metro Bến Thành.
2. Take Metro Line 1 to Ga Khu Du Lịch Suối Tiên.
3. Take a short taxi/Grab ride across the bridge to The Amazing Bay (approx. 5-10 mins).

Pros:

  • Largest and most modern water park in Vietnam (certified records).
  • High thrill factor and professionally designed rides.
  • Relatively close to HCMC's Metro endpoint, making it accessible.

Cons:

  • Higher ticket price compared to local parks (Dam Sen/Suoi Tien).
  • Primarily focuses on water attractions; limited dry park options.
  • Located outside of HCMC (Đồng Nai Province).

Overall Rating: 9/10 (Best Water Thrills)

Must-Try Attractions:

  • Man-made Beach with Tsunami waves
  • Spectacular Wave Rider slide
  • 5 certified Vietnamese records

C. Dai Nam Tourist Site (Binh Duong Province)

Ticket Price: Entrance ~100K VND + Separate zone tickets (100K-200K/zone).
Getting there (Bus/Taxi Required):
1. Take Grab/Taxi from your apartment to Ga Bến Xe Miền Đông Mới (T1 Station 14)
2. Take a Bus/Taxi/Ride-share from the bus station directly to Đại Nam (approx. 45-60 mins drive).

Pros:

  • Colossal scale and impressive traditional architecture (Kim Điện).
  • Diverse offerings: Amusement park, Zoo, Man-made Beach, and temples.
  • A full day trip offering cultural and entertainment aspects.

Cons:

  • Very long travel distance (deep inside Bình Dương).
  • No direct Metro connection; requires a long bus or taxi ride.
  • The sheer size can be overwhelming and tiring for walking.

Overall Rating: 8/10 (Architectural Scale)

Must-Try Attractions:

  • The Man-made Beach
  • The enormous Zoo
  • The Golden Palace (Kim Điện)
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