Ho Chi Minh City Zoo & Botanical Gardens

Ho Chi Minh City Zoo & Botanical Gardens are currently more than 550 animals exhibited in the zoo. There are more than 1,830 trees and 260 plant species in the botanical gardens with some dating back over 100 years.

There are some different areas to explore comprising the animal conservation area, orchid garden and plant conservation centre and a children’s amusement area. Lakes brimming with tropical fish form part of the zoo and botanical gardens which is also home to a monument dedicated to Vietnamese killed in World War I.

Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens are popular places to while away an afternoon and is visited by locals and tourists who are often surprised by the fact that you can get up close and personal to some of the animals and feed them.

Ho Chi Minh City Zoo (Saigon Zoo) & Botanical Gardens Highlights

Saigon Zoo exhibits a variety range of animals involving monkeys, tigers, hippos, lions, elephants; turtles and snakes. There are also rarer animals such as the white tiger that are being displayed for the first time ever in Vietnam. The zoo's purpose is to help animal preservation of endangered species through a breeding-in-captivity program and recently bred the crested argus pheasant – being the only zoo in the world to do so.

Botanical Gardens have a vast array of flora and fauna comprising 20 different kinds of orchid , 32 species of cactus and 34 species of bonsai in addition to trees, plants and ferns some of which are as old as the gardens.

The Botanical Gardens are trying to use the area as a knowledge centre where everyone can learn more about the species on display and how to protect them for the future.

The zoo and botanical gardens also are the Saigon National Museum and the World War I monument within its vicinity beside creatures and plants. The museum covers the entire history of Vietnam and involves war weapons from the French colonial era and thousands of important documents within its walls.

Saigon Zoo & Botanical Gardens

Ho Chi Minh City Zoo has in some parts seen better days. Although it is certainly not on par with western zoos, better than some zoos seen in other Asian countries. If tourists have any reservations regarding animals in captivity then this might not be the place.

Saigon Zoo is situated nearby Saigon District 1 and the easiest way to reach it is via taxi. Entrance fee and visiting ticket includes both of the zoo and botanical gardens. However, it will need to pay extra if you wish the feed any animal. There are two main gates, one on Nguyen Binh Khiem and the other on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street.