Green symbol in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City
For a long time, Saigon – Ho Chi Minh City has existed green, peaceful parks and zoos hidden in the heart of the bustling city. Here are the green places we recommend, where you can find a great relaxing experience.
Saigon Zoo & Botanical Gardens
The Saigon Zoo & Botanical Gardens has existed for more than 150 years, making it the 8th oldest zoo in the world. At first, this place was named Botanical Garden, used to improve culture and conservation activities of flora and fauna for the city people, as well as to serve research work for Indochinese scientists. In 1990, Botanical Garden became an official member of the South East Asian Zoos Association (SEAZA). The park has many kinds of rare and precious animals and plants that are indigenous and imported from many other countries such as Indochinese tiger, Asian Golden Cat, white rhinoceros, Pygmy hippopotamus, Ring-tailed lemur, etc.
Up to now, the Botanical Garden has become one of the largest zoos in the country with more than 1000 animals, more than 2000 trees of 260 species, 23 species of domestic orchids, 33 species of cactus on an area of 17hectares. The campus here is very fresh with chirping birds and countless green trees and beautiful flowers. The Zoo is a green lung that helps to regulate the air and preserve the natural environment of the city, while conserving rare species of flora and fauna in Vietnam.
Address: No. 2, Nguyen Binh Khiem Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1.
Opening hours (from Monday to Sunday and public holidays):
- 5:00 – 6:30: Open for individuals to participate in nutrition and exercise.
- 7:00 – 18:30: Open for visitors.
Tao Dan Park
Tao Dan Park not only has rich and diverse vegetation with more than 1000 species of large and small trees, but also a space bearing many traces of Saigon’s history through 3 centuries. In the last century, this place was an ornamental flower garden located in the campus of the Governor of Cochinchina, called Ong Thuong Garden. The French continued to plan to become the first public flower garden in Saigon. Later, the park was named Tao Dan, which was a painting and poetry festival presided over by Le Thanh Tong King in the 15th century. In the early morning or cool afternoon, under the shade of airy trees with the chirping of birds, many local people come to sightsee, go for a walk, play sports, participate in art and entertainment activities.
