4 Interesting Facts About Sun World Ha Nam You May Not Know

Vietnam’s First Water Park Inspired by Water Puppetry

One of the most distinctive features of Sun World Ha Nam lies in the cultural story behind its design. Rather than adopting familiar fantasy themes, the park draws inspiration from water puppetry, a traditional performing art deeply rooted in the cultural life of Northern Vietnam, particularly Noi Roi Village in the former Ly Nhan area of Ha Nam.

It is also Vietnam’s first water park developed around a water puppetry theme. Traditional cultural elements are reflected in its architecture, landscape and the naming of its entertainment zones, creating a vibrant environment that evokes familiar images of the Vietnamese countryside.

Inspired by the water puppetry tradition associated with Noi Roi Village in what was formerly Ha Nam, the park brings the folk culture of Northern Vietnam to life in a modern entertainment setting.

Notably, Sun World Ha Nam is divided into seven themed zones inspired by famous water puppetry stories and performances. Traditional motifs such as Four Sacred Creatures (Tu Linh), Boat Racing (Dua Thuyen), Water Pavilion – Fairy Dance (Thuy Dinh – Mua Tien), and Fox Catching and Duck Chasing (Danh Cao Bat Vit) have been reimagined through the design language of a modern water park.

Details such as the Teu clown puppet, communal house roofs, water-wave patterns and dragon-cloud motifs help establish the destination’s distinctive identity. The colour palette, inspired by traditional Vietnamese lacquer paintings, is complemented by decorative materials such as eggshells, mother-of-pearl and gold leaf, adding artistic depth to the space.

The Teu clown puppet, traditional communal house architecture, and water-wave and dragon-cloud motifs are thoughtfully incorporated throughout the park, reflecting the distinctive cultural identity of Northern Vietnam.

As a result, a visit to Sun World Ha Nam goes beyond water-based entertainment, offering opportunities to explore traditional folk culture in a more accessible and engaging way.

Home to Southeast Asia’s First Parallel-Lane Racing Tube Slide

While cultural stories give Sun World Ha Nam its distinctive character, its modern attractions are a major part of the park’s appeal. The park features 14 attraction complexes and 40 slides, developed in collaboration with ProSlide, a brand specialising in water attraction technology.

Among them, the Super-Speed Dual-Lane Slide (Song Lan Sieu Toc) is one of the most notable highlights. It is Southeast Asia’s first parallel-lane racing tube slide, measuring 228.22 metres in length, with a total elevation difference of approximately 24.84 metres along the ride.

Its two parallel lanes allow visitors to race alongside friends or family members in an exhilarating experience. A succession of slopes and curves creates a challenging ride while turning the experience into an exciting competition among members of a group.

Super-Speed Dual-Lane Slide – the first parallel-lane racing tube slide of its kind in Southeast Asia.

Beyond the Super-Speed Dual-Lane Slide, the park offers a variety of attractions to suit different preferences. The Wave Bay (Vinh Than Song), covering approximately 4,628 square metres, delivers an experience featuring artificial waves. Meanwhile, the 500-metre-long Dreamy River (Dong Song Mo Mang) is ideal for visitors looking to unwind and relax after conquering thrilling water slides.

Sun World Ha Nam offers attractions for all age groups, making it an ideal destination for families enjoying a weekend outing.

With experiences spanning different levels of intensity, the park caters to both active groups of friends and multigenerational families.

Recognised by WWA Within Months of Opening

Another notable milestone for Sun World Ha Nam came in October 2025, when the park received the Leading Edge Award from the World Waterpark Association (WWA).

According to an announcement published on 22 October 2025, the awards ceremony took place in Florida, United States, on the evening of 21 October. The award recognises outstanding innovation in the design, theming, infrastructure, products, services and operational models of the water park industry.

Sun World Ha Nam received the Leading Edge Award, recognising its achievements in design and thematic innovation.

Founded in 1981, WWA is an organisation dedicated to the water park industry, connecting and supporting businesses and operators around the world.

For Sun World Ha Nam, the award was particularly significant given that the park officially opened on 10 May 2025. After only around five months of operation, the destination received recognition in a category related to design and thematic innovation.

What sets the park apart is the way it combines local cultural heritage with modern entertainment technology. Water puppetry is not merely a decorative element; it serves as a central source of inspiration that shapes the narrative and visual identity of the entire space.

WWA’s recognition therefore also highlights the potential of developing entertainment parks rooted in Vietnamese culture, where traditional values can reach wider audiences through new forms of immersive experiences.

Entertainment Experiences That Extend Beyond Daytime

Another interesting fact is that Sun World Ha Nam is designed to accommodate entertainment experiences both during the day and in the evening, positioning it among Vietnam’s water parks exploring entertainment beyond conventional daytime hours.

Sun World Ha Nam’s lazy river comes alive with lights at night. (Source: Reference image)

As natural light gradually gives way to artificial illumination, the park takes on a different atmosphere. Water slides, entertainment areas and themed landscapes stand out under the lighting, creating an experience distinct from that of daytime visits.

This model also gives visitors greater flexibility when planning their trips. Rather than limiting their visit to a morning or afternoon, families and groups of friends can consider combining entertainment with sightseeing, dining and exploration of the Sun Urban City mega-urban development, which offers a diverse range of experiences.

However, actual opening hours may vary depending on the day and the park’s operating schedule. Visitors should check the latest updates on Sun World Ha Nam’s official channels before departure to plan their time accordingly.

Sun World Ha Nam – Where Traditional Heritage Meets Modern Experiences

From its distinctive water puppetry theme and extensive water slide system to the WWA Leading Edge Award, Sun World Ha Nam has established several notable milestones in the development of an entertainment destination with a distinctly Vietnamese identity.

Each themed zone offers a different recreational experience while evoking familiar folk stories through the language of architecture, landscape design and modern technology.

This is what makes Sun World Ha Nam uniquely appealing: visitors can enjoy the thrill of water slides, spend relaxing moments with their families and discover traditional cultural values in a fresh and more accessible way.