Wrecks of ‘ghost ships’ floating on the waves of West Lake

Nearly a dozen billion-dollar yachts, once splendid and luxurious, are now rusty and deserted, lying half-floating and half-submerged like ‘ghost’ ships in a corner of West Lake.

This is the Mermaid cruise ship. Along with dozens of other yachts, it was once splendid and lavish, with lights on every night to welcome guests at the corner of West Lake, at the intersection of Thanh Nien – Nguyen Dinh Thi streets. Scenes from many years ago Now the ship lies dormant in the area close to Nhat Chieu Street, rusty and deserted. The once carpeted entrance to welcome the footsteps of diners, now stands a cold broken leg chair. Even the canoe tied to the ship was broken. Stairs at the rear of the ship lead to the rooftop – in the past, diners often went up to this area to see the whole view of West Lake, while the train moved slowly… Going back in time, after many years of operating yachts, welcoming guests along Thanh Nien road, to a time when the restaurant business on West Lake was no longer suitable… …In 2016, Hanoi People’s Committee issued a decision to stop this type of business, so as not to disrupt the landscape and environment of West Lake. A year later, the yachts were towed across the lake and gathered in the present area. At first the yachts were also guarded, then the doors were bolted and abandoned. After half a decade of rain and wind, the yachts rusted and turned into scrap metal, greatly affecting the environment and beauty of West Lake. Billionaire silver ships are now deserted and deserted A corner of West Lake is now a “ghost ship graveyard” From once colorful colors, now all of them are… rusty There are at least two yachts located next to the lotus lagoon Potomac Cruise is the furthest one, located a bit from the shore, on the right is West Lake Water Park Potomac Cruise while welcoming guests In May 2019, the Hai Dang ship caught fire. Fortunately, the Fire and Rescue Police were present in time, extinguishing the big fire within 10 minutes, not letting the fire spread to neighboring yachts. Yacht owners install iron fences to prevent strangers from entering the ship. But in fact, fishermen get in and out easily, many of the ship’s iron and steel are ploughed and stolen by bad actors Six yachts are located next to the West Lake Flower Valley, which attracts women, ladies and girls to take photos all year round From this angle, it is clear that a ship has sunk, the water is full of compartments Along the winding road, where a lot of people (and foreigners) come to enjoy the wind and exercise every morning-afternoon are “ghost” trains. There are times when this yacht is flooded with water, lying on its side. Even the swan boats that trampled their feet sank These yachts, after no longer polluting and disrupting the landscape of the West Lake on the side of Thanh Nien Street, “caused harm” to the corner of the lake next to Nhat Chieu Street. Aerial photo of a yacht that was flooded. Perhaps because West Lake was not deep enough and lying on the shore, the new ship did not sink completely. A sign prohibits entry, but in fact this place has become a favorite fishing spot for many anglers specializing in poaching West Lake fish. Recently, a few small ships have been towed to the area for dismantling. This corner of West Lake really turns into a “ship graveyard”. The workers used torches to gradually cut the iron of the train compartment. Photo taken on the afternoon of May 13, 2021. However, these are small ships, and more than a dozen “ghost” yachts are still lying dormant and faltering. It is unknown when these giant iron and steel blocks will be dismantled and expelled… … to return to West Lake the clean environment and inherent beauty.