Saigon Zoo & Botanical Gardens

The Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden is a sprawling green oasis in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, offering a refreshing escape from the urban hustle. As one of the oldest zoos in the world, it holds a significant place in the city's history and provides a unique experience for visitors of all ages. The park is a pleasant surprise, with its vast grounds filled with ancient trees and a wide variety of plants. It's not just a zoo; the botanical garden aspect is a major draw, providing a beautiful and tranquil environment for a leisurely stroll or a family picnic. The peaceful atmosphere and the sounds of nature make it a perfect place to relax and unwind. While some of the animal enclosures may not meet modern standards, the zoo is home to a diverse collection of creatures, from majestic elephants and big cats to a variety of birds and reptiles. It's clear that it is a popular spot for local families, and the low entry price makes it an accessible and enjoyable day out. Beyond the animals and plants, the complex also houses the Museum of Vietnamese History, adding a cultural and educational dimension to the visit. You can easily spend several hours here, exploring the grounds, observing the animals, and even enjoying some of the amusement park-style rides available. For those seeking a quiet retreat with a mix of history, nature, and wildlife, the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden is a worthwhile destination.

60K for entrance fees and no need to book in advance. Busy on weekends and more fun with kids. It's big zoo and need a time to spend more than half of a day, there will be restaurants and coffee shop inside (don't sell beer*). Plus there are zoology & Antonmy museums inside the zoo. Cultural museum has a separate entrance fees (I thought it was 30K). Good place to spend your day time and chill.

Really loved this place!! Although there were several animals not in the enclosures that were labelled as being those ones(orangutans and tigers were some of those for eg) we still greatly enjoyed our visit to Saigon zoo & botanical gardens. The animals all seemed to have adequate spaces and to be well kept & fed plus there was a gorgeous array of plantlife also.

We recently visited the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Ho Chi Minh City with our family and had a delightful experience. The zoo is one of the oldest in the world and offers a blend of wildlife and lush greenery. Tips: Best Time to Visit: Arrive early to enjoy cooler temperatures and more active animals. Amenities: Bring water and snacks, though refreshments are available on-site. Accessibility: The zoo is centrally located and easily reachable by taxi or bus. In summary, the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens provided our family with an enjoyable and educational day out, combining wildlife, greenery, and cultural heritage in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City.

Visited this on a Sunday and it was really packed with families. It is an old fashioned type of zoo and you will see what you expect from a zoo. I was interested in the botanical garden and I must say it was disappointing experience. The sign is there but the selection of plants available is limited and I couldn’t see any name tags of other information. The only thing remains is the old signage of its first opening of the place. It’s still worthwhile looking around and seeing the mature trees in the park

Large and clean zoo. Animals are clean and well-groomed. Very large selection. I recommend visiting, but you need a lot of time to go around everything. There is a cafe with food and water on the territory. For children there is an area with attractions. Entrance: 60 dong.

Absolutely heartbreaking – this place must be shut down I had tears in my eyes seeing the animals in such a terrible state. The place is completely abandoned, with broken bricks and debris scattered inside the enclosures. The animals are malnourished, dehydrated, and left without any clean water. Their cages are dirty, too small, and in shocking condition. Even worse, I read a review from 9 months ago mentioning a cat with a broken leg — and today, that same cat is still limping, clearly never treated. It’s devastating to see nothing has changed. This is not just neglect it’s abuse. I truly hope the authorities take action and shut this place down immediately

I recently visited the zoo, and overall, it was a pleasant experience. The place is quite spacious, with lots of greenery, which makes walking around very relaxing. It’s a nice spot to spend a few hours, especially if you enjoy being outdoors. They also have some interactive activities, like feeding the animals, which kids would really enjoy. That being said, the zoo doesn’t have many rare or exotic animals—mostly common ones like elephants, deer, monkeys, tigers, and lions. But I understand that maintaining a zoo requires a lot of funding, so it’s not always easy to bring in more unique species. The animals seem to be taken care of fairly well, but some enclosures weren’t very clean and had a bit of a smell. It would be great if they could improve that part. Overall, if you’re looking for a casual place to walk around and see some animals, this is a good option, especially for families with kids. Hopefully, with more support and investment, the zoo can continue to improve and create an even better experience for visitors!