Joe Jackson Invests In Vietnam 'Happyland' Park

HANOI, Vietnam — Joe Jackson, father of late king of pop Michael Jackson, was in Vietnam to attend Monday's groundbreaking ceremony for a five-star hotel and amusement park called "Happyland."

Online newspaper VietnamNet said Jackson, 82, was at the groundbreaking as one of the investors in the $2 billion, five-star 1,000-room hotel and amusement park in southern Long An province, located about 20 minutes outside Ho Chi Minh City. It is scheduled to be finished in 2014, and is designed to attract up to 14 million visitors annually.

"I like discovering different cultures in the world," VietnamNet quoted Jackson as saying. "I like this project the most because it is located in a beautiful cultural and natural space."

Vietnam has promoted the project – which includes a water park, theaters and restaurants – as the region's largest entertainment complex.

Pop icon Michael Jackson, 50, died in 2009 from an overdose of the powerful anesthetic propofol and other sedatives. His doctor has pleaded not guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter.

Michael Jackson was known for his creation of Neverland Ranch, a huge complex complete with an amusement park, in California where he lived.

Comments

[howdouno]

11:40 AM on 02/21/2011

Sometimes cultures mix in fascinating, fun, and surreal ways. While the idea of a huge Jackson-inspired theme park in Hanoi called "Happyland" may seem odd, Jackson-fever could be found in Saigon when I lived there in the summer of 2009. Young street performers copied Michael's moves. Jackson-inspired hats were popular. Many Vietnamese also seemed to believe that Michael Jackson as a mega-pop star represented the "real Hollywood America."

Several Vietnamese co-workers and friends offered condolences to me when Michael Jackson died as if all Americans would be in deep mourning. The lavish televised funeral on so many American news stations only re-enforced this perception. Somehow I expect this theme park to be wildly popular with Vietnamese.

[Nicolas A]

08:38 PM on 02/17/2011

You should see how many 5 stars resorts and hotels being built in VN....and no one have money to go...pathetic. I predict a real estate crash in the next 2-3 years. Like I say, just look at all those empty resorts, negative ''return'' on investment. And the VN banks cooking books to show all that money lent look good.....
Better to attract tourists now now now....

And I am living here since 6 years and know what I am speaking about.

[2 cents plain]

12:40 PM on 02/15/2011

Isn't this the guy who went to court begging for some of his son's money?

[jayded]

10:28 AM on 02/15/2011

Boy, this guy sure has tons of desperate ambition for an 82 year-old.....

[TheFabOne]

05:12 PM on 02/14/2011

How's he investing in a $2 billion project when he just petitioned the judge (and lost) to get Katherine Jackson to give him a stipend from Michael's money, because he's broke in Vegas and can't pay his bills??

[Sky Page]

10:35 AM on 02/14/2011

As a combat veteran of the Vietnam war and an experienced charity volunteer,in country, over the last three years, I support and endorse this kind of investment. Vietnam is a fascinating place... Past, present and future