British woman stumbles upon bizarre Covid-19 theme park in Vietnam

In recent months, a British tourist named Ella stumbled upon a distinctive Covid-19 theme park during her travels in Vietnam. This unusual park, known as Covid 19 Park, is located in Da Lay and features a total of 80 sculptures, all created from clay and colored with natural hues. The sculptures depict various phases of the pandemic, focusing on how the Vietnamese Government and people responded to the crisis. They include representations of significant prevention measures such as field hospitals, social distancing, face masks, and technological advancements, illustrating the journey from the outbreak to vaccination efforts. One of the standout attractions in the park is a unique timeline clock that displays different measures taken each hour during the pandemic, combining both art and education in its design. Ella noted that while the theme park addresses a serious subject, the playful nature of the sculptures led to a mixture of laughter and confusion among the visitors. In her experience, she and her fellow travelers found it hard to gauge how serious the park's intentions were, as the sculptures ranged from somber to whimsical, creating an oddly dystopian atmosphere. Despite acknowledging the sensitive topic, Ella mentioned enjoying the experience, particularly when encountering a life-sized sculpture of a pathogen with googly eyes locked behind bars, which struck her as humorous. The juxtaposition of comedic clay figures with the serious subject matter left Ella pondering the park's purpose. Originally opened in 2010, the park forms part of the broader Sculpture Tunnel Tourist Site that tells the history of Da Lat City through various clay sculptures. This combination of humor and seriousness speaks to the creativity of the artists involved in designing these installations. The current status of the park remains uncertain as of December 2024, but the unique approach it takes to discuss the pandemic invites varying interpretations from its visitors. Ella's recounting of the trip exemplifies the complexity of dealing with serious public health narratives through art and imagination. It reflects a cultural response to a global crisis while incorporating elements of humor and artistic expression.