Saigon zoo and botanical gardens reviews

Even if you are a foreigner, you should consider visiting Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden because the zoo is a famous tourist attraction in Ho Chi Minh city attracting a large number of tourists to visit every day. This place is one of the oldest amusement parks in Vietnam, and also the largest animal and plant conservation park in the city named after Uncle Ho.

Saigon zoo and botanical gardens reviews
Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens – Source: Internet

Some information

The zoo is located at 2 Nguyen Binh Khiem Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, opposite Independence Palace and ranked 8th in the world with a large park, about 2.4km from Nguyen Hue pedestrian street, near the downstream of Nhieu Loc – Thi Nghe canal. Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden is a typical cultural symbol, an amusement park with a long history of Ho Chi Minh city with 590 gargoyles of 125 species, while the flora has 1,800 trees of 260 species.

Saigon zoo and botanical gardens reviews
This place is one of the oldest amusement parks in Vietnam, and also the largest animal and plant conservation park in the city named after Uncle Ho – Source: Internet

Operation hours:

5:00 am – 6:30 am: Time for people practicing and exercising in the morning

7:00-18:30: Time for visitors

Note: you have to buy tickets to get in

Directions

Motorcycle: you can go to Ho Chi Minh Zoo and Botanical Garden by Nguyen Binh Khiem street (main gate) or Nguyen Thi Minh Khai street (side gate).

The parking lot for Zoo and Botanical Gardens: both Nguyen Binh Khiem and Nguyen Thi Minh Khai streets have many parking slots but you have to pay.

Car: go to Nguyen Binh Khiem street, park your car at the side gate on Nguyen Binh Khiem street.

Bus: if you want to save money, you can use take bus no.05 from Cho Lon bus station – Bien Hoa bus station. Hours of operation: 5:00 am – 5:00 pm. Waiting time for the bus to Zoo and Botanical Garden takes about 25 – 30 minutes/trip or bus no.14 from Eastern – February 3 – Western station, operating hours: 4 am – 8 pm, waiting time can take you about 7 – 12 minutes/trip.

Read more: Review Ho Chi Minh City’s Southern Women’s Museum

Things to do

Enjoy the green air

Saigon zoo and botanical gardens reviews

Traveling to Saigon, visiting the Zoo and Botanical Garden, you can not only discover unique animals and plants but also enjoy the fresh air and quiet space on the campus here.

Enjoy the atmosphere by electric train

Saigon zoo and botanical gardens reviews
The car will take you slowly through the park, swinging under the shade of cool trees to watch the animals – Source: Internet

To visit the park more easily and without getting tired, you should buy electric train tickets sold near the Le Duan street gate. The car will take you slowly through the park, swinging under the shade of cool trees to watch the animals.

Experience the thrilling games

Saigon zoo and botanical gardens reviews
Experience the thrilling games – Source: Internet

In order to meet the entertainment needs of young people, the Ho Chi Minh City Zoo and Botanical Garden tourist area also has more adventurous and thrilling games such as hot air balloons, electric cars, high-speed trains…

Read more: Municipal Theater and somethings special inside

Observe rare animals

Saigon zoo and botanical gardens reviews
This place is one of the oldest amusement parks in Vietnam, and also the largest animal and plant conservation park in the city named after Uncle Ho – Source: Internet

Zoo and Botanical Garden is a famous zoo with many rare animals. The zoo here is divided into many different areas such as: carnivores, mammals, reptiles, herbivores, birds, small animals… At 3 pm every day, in the carnivorous area there is also a presentation on wild hunting skills of animals such as: lions, white Bengal tigers and Indochinese tigers…

Relax with your family at the children’s play area

The children’s play area inside the Zoo and Botanical Garden has many interesting activities such as: a space wheel, continuous ball house, water park, trampoline, fishing … attracting children.

Watch performing arts for free

Saigon zoo and botanical gardens reviews
Coming to the Zoo, visitors can also enjoy unique art performances that are often held on weekends and major holidays – Source: Internet

Coming to the Zoo, visitors can also enjoy unique art performances that are often held on weekends and major holidays. It can be special magic shows, dance activities, animal circus… are extremely attractive and make visitors excited.

Elephant show at 9 am on Saturday and Sunday. Particularly, the Tet holiday will be held at 2 pm in the elephant breeding area.

Music performance takes place on the main stage at 10 am on Saturday and Sunday. Only Sunday will be performed at 4 pm.

Time to back to childhood with beautiful nature

Saigon zoo and botanical gardens reviews
sky, Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden are a different but extremely worth visiting the place – Source: Internet

Even if you come just to take a lot of beautiful pictures, or simply to find a little bit of blue in the gray sky, Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden are a different but extremely worth visiting the place.

Notes when visiting Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden

Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden not only attracts tourists by the animals but also by the poetic and green scenery. In addition to a spacious and green space, the Botanical Garden has an ancient and wild look. Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden is a place where many photos are taken.

But, to make your trip more convenient, remember:

– Choose to wear flat shoes, low sandals or sandals, do not wear high heels because the zoo campus is quite large, you will need to walk a lot.

– Bring a full range of sun protection tools such as a shirt, hat and sunscreen… because many areas of the campus do not have the shade of big trees.

– Bring a camera/phone to take souvenir photos.

– Because mainly outdoor sightseeing, before going, you should carefully check the weather forecast, choose a dry time, cool weather.

– Choose to visit this amusement park on holidays or weekends to both visits and watch interesting art performances and circus animals.

How much does it cost to go to the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens?

Children under 1m: Free. Guests from 1m – 1m3: 40,000 VND/ticket/person. Guests over 1m3 tall: 60,000 VND/ticket/person.

What is the largest Zoo in Vietnam?

Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden is the biggest zoo in Vietnam and one of the oldest zoos in the world. This botanical garden and zoo was established in 1864.

What should I wear to the Botanical Garden?

Your attire should be comfortable and appropriate for the season – many botanical gardens are open year-round. Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes for walking or hiking. Expect that your shoes will get dusty or dirty. Bring a sun hat or visor to protect your face from the sun.

How old is Saigon Zoo?

The Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens was commissioned by Admiral Pierre-Paul de La Grandière in 1864, and was opened to the public in 1869, making it one of the world's oldest continuously operating zoos. The Botanical Gardens were founded in 1864 by Jean Baptiste Louis Pierre, which he directed until 1877.