Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden (short name: Saigon Zoo, Vietnamese: Thảo Cầm Viên) is the place to conserve flora and fauna. It is one of the oldest continuously operating zoos in the world. Not only a historical relic but also a typical cultural symbol of the city. Built at the same time as the Post Office in Ho Chi Minh City, Notre Dame Cathedral and Ben Thanh market… Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden is considered as witnesses of history, have gone through the ups and downs of people and this land.
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General information about Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden
The Saigon zoo is located at 2B Nguyen Binh Khiem Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, T.P. in Ho Chi Minh City. It also has two gates: the main gate on Nguyen Binh Khiem Street at the corner of Le Duan Street and another on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street.
The Saigon zoo is open from Monday to Sunday and Public Holidays in 2-time slots:
- 5:00 am. – 6:45 am: Open to individuals to participate in physical training and exercise.
- 7:00 am – 18:30 pm: Open to visitors.
Admission fee to Botanical Garden
- Children under 1m tall: Free
- Children from 1m – 1m3: 30,000 VND
- Adults and children over 1m3: 50,000 VND
Ticket counter of the Saigon zoo
History of the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden
On March 23, 1864 Admiral De La Grandiere, commander of French forces in Cochinchina, signed a decree authorizing the construction of the Botanical Garden in SG. Thereafter, Mr. Louis Adolphe Germain, a veterinarian of the French army, was assigned to expand 12 hectares of wasteland in the northeast of Thi Nghe Channel, to be a place to take care animals and nurseries.
In March of the following year (1865) initially, Mr. Germain built a number of barns. By the end of 1865, the construction of the Saigon zoo was completed with many rare species of animals and trees imported from India, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia… and expanded to 20ha. On July 14, 1869 the zoo opened to the public.
What is inside Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden?
If you’re wondering what’s to see in the zoo, grab the Saigon Zoo map and “bombard” the super-attractive fun coordinates below!
Saigon zoo’s animal conservation
The Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden contains over 1300 animals of 125 species, besides dozens of species of mammals, dozens of breeds of birds, many reptiles such as monkeys, giraffes, white Bengal tigers, Clouded Leopards, African lions, gibbons, turtles, and snakes, Asian black bear, sun bear, Indochinese tiger, leopard, Asian golden cat, pan, zebras, antelope, sambar, porcupines, wild boar, Asian elephant, white rhinoceros, saltwater crocodile, reticulated python, green peafowl.…
An Asian elephant in the zoo
Besides native animal species, there are also many exotic species, some of which are seen in Vietnam for the first time, such as: Hippopotamus amphibius, Choeropsis liberiensis, Panthera onca, Struthio camelus, Phoenicopterus ruber, Pongo pygmaeus, Giraffa camelopardalis, dhole, gray wolf, gaur, Lemurs.
A white tiger from Bengal, India
There are lakes containing different types of lotuses and a myriad of fish species. With an area of about 17 hectares, this place is truly an extremely large open space. If visitors want to visit all the places here, they should spend a whole day to comfortably enjoy and rest. This space full of green trees and shade…
Some animals, after being rescued and living in the Zoo, continued to give birth to young animals. In addition, in front of each animal care area, there are also some animal foods sold, with the cost of each serving being only about 10,000 VND.
Saigon botanical garden’s plant conservation
According to the records, the Botanical Garden was a scientific research site, led by French botanist, Mr. J.B. Louis Pierre. To turn this place into a breeding ground for animals and plants of the whole Indochina, at the end of 1865, the Japanese government provided Botanical Garden with about 900 exotic plants. Therefore, this is the reason why people call the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden the small lung of Saigon.
The botanical garden has up to 1,800 trees of 260 different species, 23 species of domestic orchid, 33 species of cactus, 34 types of bonsai, and green grass on an area of 20 hectares.
cactus garden
Amusement park
Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens offers games for all ages in the area near Nguyen Thi Minh Khai gate. The zoo is a paradise of thrilling games, just bring your kids here, which will definitely have a great weekend. Also, you can use a tram to enjoy the panoramic view of the Zoo.
The Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden also contains two worthy buildings: a Hung Kings temple, originally built as a monument to Vietnamese soldiers who died for France during World War I; and the Museum of Vietnamese History. Waooo! So many things for you to do in this zoo, is that right?
Thanks to the relationship of cooperation, exchange, and trading with many botanical gardens and international scientific organizations, the animal collection of Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden is increasingly plentiful. And now it has become the largest zoo and botanical garden in Vietnam.
Source: collected by An
