february-2011

46 FEBRUARY/MARCH 2011
From white-knuckle rides to close
encounters with native animals in their
jungle habitat, there are plenty of highenergy
days out sure to keep kids — big
and small — entertained in my home city
WORDS GEMMA PRICE
PHOTOGRAPHY PETER STUCKINGS
ACTION
STATIONS
MAIN: Feel the rush...
on an ostrich in full
gallop; INSET (L/R):
get competitive on box
carts; try your hand
at paddling a
traditional boat
Vibrant,
fast-growing metropolis
Ho Chi Minh City
might be best known for its wealth of fashion
boutiques, international dining experiences and
buzzing nightlife, but this southern commercial
hub also has plenty of action-packed
experiences to off er the whole family.
Close to town is ecotourism entertainment
centre Vuon Xoai where we take turns to ride
wheeled box carts down grassy slopes and
strap on odd purpose-built “rollers” for a spot
of competitive grass skiing with a gang of
kids. The park also has a lagoon-like pool and
tennis courts, but the highlight of the day for
me is riding an ostrich. About 1000 ostriches
are farmed here, mainly for their meat, but
a handful have been “tamed” for visitors. My
advice? Make sure you wear a motorbike
helmet and ask for the oldest, nicest ostrich
they have. The “riding” itself doesn’t usually last
that long, but it does make for great photos!
For an exhilarating rush while beating
the heat on a typical sun-drenched day, Dam
Sen Park is one of my favourite places to
hang out. Although the park incorporates
fairground rides, bowling, gardens, tennis
courts and a kid’s play area, I always head
straight for the luridly colourful water slides,
chutes and wave pools.
Another spot to splash out at is Suoi Tien.
The park’s skyward-pointing two-horned
gateway is a familiar highway landmark, and
the entire setting borders on the fantastic. “I
ran through the bat cave without stopping,”
laughs advertising executive Nguyen Bao Tranh.
“I thought a bat was going to land in my hair!”
VUON XOAI
RESORT