Saigon Zoo & Botanical Gardens

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.

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!

We came here hoping to see the botanical gardens - the gardens here are nice but nothing very special - except there is a great variety of bonsai trees. It is a lovely day out - we came on a Sunday and the family atmosphere was brilliant with music and circus performers. The zoo - I'm not the biggest fan. A lot of the animals looked very well cared for and very well but there were a few pacers. We went on the big wheel here that was magnificent - a real treat and cost about 30,000 each. The whole trip was fantastic value for money. A really nice day out.

There’s a reason this zoo isn’t very popular among tourists — the infrastructure could be better, especially for the animals. Overall, it felt more like pity than joy. If you suddenly have extra time to spare and can’t think of anything else to do, sure, why not? You won’t be too disappointed, but it won’t be the highlight of your trip either.

Overall, it was a great experience! The zoo is very spacious, making it a perfect spot for a family picnic. I was pleasantly surprised to find a mini amusement park inside — definitely a bonus for kids and those young at heart. What truly caught me off guard was the Natural History Museum within the zoo ground

The entrance fee is affordable, and the location is convenient. It’s a great place to bring kids to pass the time. There are many beautiful gardens for mothers to enjoy the flowers and greenery, plenty of animals to see, and a spacious area with playground facilities for children. It’s the kind of place where you can admire flowers, watch animals, and have fun at the playground all in one visit. Each area has small vendor stalls where you can buy drinks and snacks. The restrooms are clean and convenient. Highly recommended for families with kids!

This place was amazing! The animals were so cool (the giraffe was my favorite). Not only were there tons of animals, but the trees and botanical garden was next level. If you’re looking for a quick little day trip adventure, I highly recommend coming to this zoo. Perfect for all ages and very safe!

Saigon Zoo is one of those old-school spots in Ho Chi Minh City that hasn’t exactly been pampered in a while. The park feels a bit worn down, with some areas showing their age — faded paint, cracked paths, and benches that look like they survived a few storms too many. It’s not the fanciest zoo you’ll ever visit, but it has a certain raw charm that’s kinda nostalgic. What really sets it apart, though, is the animal variety. Compared to the glammed-up amusement parks like Nha Trang’s VinWonders, Saigon Zoo has a surprisingly large number of animals packed into its space — from monkeys jumping around to peacocks strutting their stuff, and plenty of other critters. It’s like a little jungle right in the middle of the city. The place is pretty clean considering its age, and the crowd is usually chill — mostly locals and a few curious travelers. There’s even a modest public restroom if you need it, though don’t expect anything fancy. Best of all? The entrance fee is dirt cheap — just 2 bucks. For that price, you get a chance to see a lot of different animals and soak in a bit of old-school Saigon vibes. So if you’re up for a laid-back afternoon surrounded by animals, without the glitz and glam, this is your spot.