Ho Chi Minh Zoo and Botanical Gardens

Founded on 23rd March 1864, Ho Chi Minh Zoo and Botanical Gardens, also known as Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens, is the oldest zoo in Vietnam and the 8th oldest zoo in the world. It is one of the funniest and most meaningful destinations in the city for locals, domestic and foreign tourists, especially families with kids. Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens is a perfect place to stay close to nature and learn more about animals and plants. Visitors also learn more about Vietnam’s history at Hung King Temple and Nhan Huong Tea Shop.

Location, operating hours, admission fee

Location: 2 Nguyen Binh Khiem Street, Da Kao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City;

Opening hours: 7:00 – 18:30;

Entrance fee: 50,000 VND;

Green trees

The zoo and botanical gardens house around 1,830 trees, 260 plant species, including 20 orchid types, 34 types of bonsai, 32 species of cacti. Surprisingly, some of them date back over 100 years. Lakes brimming with lotuses and tropical fishes form part of the zoo and botanical gardens. There is a picnic area with green grass and a huge shadow in the northwest corner.

Green trees and roofs protect visitors from the sun.

The lake with the fountain in the middle and green trees is a good place to take a rest.

Visitors take photos of green trees and flowers.

Green trees are everywhere.

The picnic areas on green grass under the shadow of green old tree are full of families sitting on mats, relaxing, eating, drinking and talking together.

Animals

The zoo is home to nearly 600 species of animals so that visitors will have a big chance to see lots of nice and friendly animals. You can feed goats, sheep and elephants, interact with them and many more animals.

The camel is not aware of people.

Chinese water dragon on a bamboo.

Nice sheep and goats.

Kids love to feed goats and sheep at Ho Chi Minh Zoo and Botanical Gardens.

Cute tall giraffes attract lots of people.

See Malayan sun bear at Ho Chi Minh Zoo and Botanical Gardens.

A beautiful peacock.

Wild boars dig for foods.

The big hippopotamus takes a bath in the large pond in front of his cage.

Sika deers live under old trees.

A bird and a camel.

Electronic games zone

An electronic games zone with a big sky wheel, electric bumper car, merry-go-round, etc.

Game ticket booth at Ho Chi Minh Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Games: 20,000 VND/round/person; Flying mate: 30,000 VND; Sky wheel: 40,000 VND/round/person.

The huge sky wheel.

Playground for kids.

Stage

Stage with roof at Thao Cam Vien Saigon.

Two artists are performing on the stage.

Hung King Temple

The zoo and botanical gardens are also home to the Hung King Temple, which functioned as the memorial to Vietnamese soldiers who died in the Great War of 1914 – 1918 and today as a place for worshipping Hung Kings. It also contains the Museum of Vietnamese History where you can learn more about the resounding history of Vietnam through watching thousands of significant documents and weapons from the French colonial era.

Quan Nhan Huong

The historical relic Quan Nhan Huong or Nhan Huong Tea Shop which played an important role in resistance to the United States (1963 – 1975).

Historical summary at Nhan Huong Tea Shop.

Tables, chairs, waitresses and customers at Nhan Huong Tea Shop have been recreated.

The recreation of the kitchen of Nhan Huong Tea Shop.

Tips for Ho Chi Minh Zoo and Botanical Gardens

• The zoo and botanical gardens are more crowded on weekends and Vietnam holidays. Local people do not go to work and usually take their families to this place these days. So that you can go there on weekdays if you can arrange;
• Do not feed the animals;
• Always keep in your mind that not all of the facilities of the zoo are well-maintained/
• Collect all of the garbage with you before leaving.

See some photos of the Ho Chi Minh Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Because some animals are behind the grid and glass, the photos are not great.