My name is Niall Mackay, the host of A Vietnam Podcast. In this Saigon Sunday Session, I will talk about my experience and reflection on my recent visit to VinWonders Grand Park.
First Impressions of the Park
This past weekend, I had the chance to venture out to VinWonders Grand Park, all the way in District 9. To set the scene, it was about a 45-minute to an hour’s drive from Saigon, depending on traffic. Once I arrived, though, it was impossible not to be struck by the scale of the place. It was a massive development, almost a mini-city of its own, with everything branded “Vin”: Vincom Mall, VinFast Cars, and of course, VinWonders. It was a testament to the rapid development happening in Vietnam.
The reason for our trip? We had attended the Imagine Dragons concert the night before, which was part of VinWonders’ Wonder Winter event. More on that later—but first, let’s talk about exploring the park itself. It was a new area, with a lot of families moving there because it was cheaper than central Saigon. That said, living there also meant being far from the usual Saigon hotspots like District 1.
When we arrived at VinWonders, we learned that many of the main attractions, including two big rides, were closed. It was a Monday morning, so I guessed it wasn’t a big surprise. Still, it felt like a bit of a letdown. What cheered us up was discovering that entry to the park was free. You only paid for access to specific rides, and since most weren’t open, we didn’t end up spending a dime—aside from grabbing a cup of good old Vietnamese coffee to kickstart the day.
Walking around, I couldn’t help but feel conflicted. On one hand, Vietnam’s waterways and natural landscapes have suffered greatly due to unchecked development. On the other hand, places like VinWonders were pristinely manicured, almost too perfect. Sure, it was environmentally worse in some ways, but it was undeniably more visually appealing.
Why VinWonders Matters
It was easy to dismiss places like VinWonders as “fake,” and sure, they were. But they served a real purpose. For many Vietnamese people, international travel wasn’t an option due to financial or visa restrictions. Places like this gave them a chance to experience something different, even if it was manufactured. It was the same with spots like Ba Na Hills, which some mocked for its fake French village. But for locals, it was an exciting and accessible escape.
Walking through VinWonders, I couldn’t help but compare it to Gardens by the Bay in Singapore. The towering structures and manicured designs almost felt futuristic. Who knew? Maybe one day plants would climb up those steel frames, making it even more spectacular.
Reflecting on the Imagine Dragons Concert
The real highlight of this trip was, of course, the Imagine Dragons concert. It was an electrifying performance as part of VinWonders’ Wonder Winter event. The irony of attending a “winter” event in 35-degree heat wasn’t lost on anyone—we were all sweating buckets, but the festive atmosphere made it charming and fun nonetheless.
Dan Reynolds, the band’s frontman, absolutely stole the show. His stage presence was magnetic, commanding the crowd’s energy effortlessly. And let’s talk about his fitness—the man looked incredible, with a physique that left the audience, myself included, in awe. It wasn’t just the women swooning; I found myself impressed too. It was impossible not to respect the dedication it must take to look that fit.
The whole performance left me buzzing. Even as someone who wasn’t a big Imagine Dragons fan before, I walked away with a newfound appreciation for their music and showmanship. It was the perfect capstone to the weekend.
Challenges with Tickets and Games
Buying tickets for the games turned out to be quite a hassle. It wasn’t like the old days when you could just hand over some cash and get your tickets. Instead, I had to enter my phone number and decide how many tickets to buy, even though I wasn’t sure how many I would need.
One of the stalls we planned to visit closed while we were trying to sort out the tickets. Payment options were limited to debit cards, credit cards, or a QR code for bank transfers. I tried using my card, but the option didn’t appear. Then we attempted the QR code, but the sunlight on the screen made it hard for the phone to read it. It took about 20 minutes just to get 10 tickets. By the time we sorted it all out, the stall we initially wanted was closed, likely for lunch.
Eventually, we got started on one of the games. It was a simple one—throwing balls to knock down teeth. It took me a few tries to get the hang of it, but I managed to win some rounds. Of course, there were some funny moments. I threw so hard that I nearly hurt myself, which made us all laugh.
Adrie had her turn too, and between us, we won two prizes. I rarely win anything, so this felt like a big deal. The games were fun in the end, even though the process to get started was frustrating.
Why VinWonders Matters
It was easy to dismiss places like VinWonders as “fake,” and sure, they were. But they served a real purpose. For many Vietnamese people, international travel wasn’t an option due to financial or visa restrictions. Places like this gave them a chance to experience something different, even if it was manufactured. It was the same with spots like Ba Na Hills, which some mocked for its fake French village. But for locals, it was an exciting and accessible escape.
Final Thoughts
Walking through VinWonders, I couldn’t help but compare it to Gardens by the Bay in Singapore. The towering structures and manicured designs almost felt futuristic. Who knew? Maybe one day plants would climb up those steel frames, making it even more spectacular.
VinWonders was a fascinating blend of surreal artificiality and practical enjoyment. Whether it was the pristine grounds, quirky attractions, or concerts like Imagine Dragons, there was something for everyone. Sure, it wasn’t perfect, but it was a fun and intriguing day out—especially if you were already in the area. As someone who lived in Vietnam, I appreciated the effort to create these spaces, even if they weren’t for everyone.
If you got the chance, I’d recommend checking it out—just maybe not on a Monday morning when the rides were closed!