Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens - Things to do, What to see?

1. Overview

The Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens was established in 1864 by the French colonial administration, making it one of the oldest zoos in the world. It covers an area of about 20 hectares in Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The zoo is home to over 100 species of mammals, reptiles, and birds, some of which are endangered or rare. The botanical garden contains over 1,800 species of plants, including many orchids and ornamental trees.

The Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens was established in 1864 by the French colonial administration

The Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens is not only a place for recreation and education, but also a place for conservation and research. The zoo participates in various programs to protect and breed endangered animals, such as the Asian elephant, the Indochinese tiger, and the Siamese crocodile. The botanical garden also preserves and propagates rare and valuable plants, some of which are not native to Vietnam.
 

2. Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens Entrance fee and game tickets

Entrance fee

The entrance ticket of Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens was updated in 2023 as follows (prices may change in the future):

• Children under 1m: Free

• Guests from 1m to 1.3m: 40,000 VND/ticket/person

• Guests above 1.3m: 60,000 VND/ticket/person

Additionally, for groups of approximately 20 guests, you can rent a tour guide to provide guidance and narration for the group at a price of around 100,000 VND per session. The Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens also offer discounted ticket prices for students, educators, and educational programs.
 

Game tickets

Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens offer games for all ages in the Rose Garden area and near the Nguyen Thi Minh Khai gate.

Service hours: From 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM on all days of the week, including Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and Tet (Lunar New Year).

Here is a list of games and their ticket prices: 

3. Things to do

Experience the green nature of Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens

When visiting Saigon and exploring the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens, you not only get to discover unique animal and plant specimens but also enjoy the fresh air and peaceful atmosphere within the premises.

Experience the green nature of Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens

Riding the electric train or tram around the park

To make your park visit more convenient and avoid getting tired, it is recommended to purchase tickets for the electric train or tram, which are available near the ticket control gate at the entrance on Le Duan Street. The train will take you leisurely throughout the park, allowing you to enjoy the cool shade of the trees and indulge in observing the various animal species.

Experience thrilling and exhilarating rides.

To meet the entertainment needs of young visitors, Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Ho Chi Minh City also offer additional adventurous and thrilling rides such as hot air balloons, bumper cars, trains, and high-speed roller coasters.

Visit the zoo and observe rare animal species

Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens is a famous zoo that houses a wide variety of rare animal species. The zoo is divided into different areas, including carnivores, mammals, reptiles, herbivores, birds, and small animals. Every day at 3 p.m., there is an exciting demonstration of the wild hunting skills of animals such as lions, Bengal tigers, and Indochinese tigers in the carnivore area.

Visit the zoo and observe rare animal species.

Relax with your family in the children's play area

The kid's zone inside the premises of Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens offers many exciting activities such as a Ferris wheel, a ball house, a water park, bouncing castles, and fishing games that attract children.

Relax with your family in the children's play area

Watch free art performances.

Visitors to the zoo can also enjoy unique art performances that are often organized on weekends and during major holidays. These may include impressive magic shows, singing and dancing activities, and animal circus performances that are incredibly captivating and enjoyable for visitors.

Watch free art performances

4. Best time to visit

The best time to visit the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens is between December and April, when the weather is cooler and it does not rain often. 

The zoo and botanical garden are usually crowded on weekends and holidays, especially during school vacations. If you want to avoid the crowds, you can visit on weekdays or early in the morning. You can also check the calendar of events on the official website of the zoo and botanical garden to see if there are any special activities or festivals that might interest you. Some of the events that are held regularly at the zoo and botanical garden are: 

• Lunar New Year Festival: This is a traditional festival that celebrates the beginning of a new year according to the lunar calendar. It usually falls in late January or early February. 

• Earth Day: This is an annual event that raises awareness and action for environmental protection. It is held on April 22 every year.

• Children’s Day is a special day that honors children and their rights that is celebrated on June 1 every year.

• Mid-Autumn Festival is a harvest festival that celebrates the full moon and family reunion usually falls in late September or early October.
   

5. Some tips for you

To have a perfect visit to one of the world's largest zoos right here in Saigon, you should consider the following:

• Choose comfortable shoes such as flats, low heels, or sandals. Avoid wearing high heels as the zoo grounds are quite spacious, and you will need to do a lot of walking.

• Bring sufficient sun protection gear like hats, sunscreen, and protective clothing since many areas within the zoo lack large shady trees.

• Carry a camera or a smartphone to capture memorable moments.

• Since most of the attractions are outdoors, it's advisable to check the weather forecast beforehand and choose a dry and cool day for your visit.

• It is recommended to plan your visit during holidays or weekends to enjoy both the zoo and the captivating art performances and animal circus shows.

>>> Read more: Ho Chi Minh Travel Guide

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The Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens is an incredibly exciting destination, attracting thousands of tourists from both within and outside the country who come to visit daily. Amidst the hustle and bustle of busy Ho Chi Minh City, it's hard to find a place that possesses its own unique charm. So, plan your itinerary and come to explore this park with its many fascinating experiences.