If you are planning a trip to Ho Chi Minh City and want something beyond the usual war museums and colonial landmarks, the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens deserves a serious look. Locals have been coming here for generations, and for good reason. It is one of the oldest continuously operating zoos in the world, and a full visit costs less than a bowl of pho at a tourist-facing restaurant. This guide covers everything you need to know before you go: history, location, what to see, ticket prices, and practical tips for making the most of your time.
What Is the Saigon Zoo & Botanical Gardens?
The iconic red-roofed gates of the Saigon Zoo, a welcoming entrance to over 160 years of history.
The Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens (Vietnamese: Thao Cam Vien Sai Gon) is Vietnam’s largest zoo and botanical garden. It covers 20 hectares in the heart of Sai Gon Ward (District 1 after Vietnam’s provincial merger in 2025) and houses over 590 animals across 125 species, along with 1,830 trees and plants from 260 species, some of which are over 100 years old. The grounds also include the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History, the Temple of Hung Kings, and a small amusement park.
Locals know it simply as “So Thu” (The Zoo) or “Thao Cam Vien”. Neither name fully captures what the place actually is: part wildlife park, part botanical collection, part historical site, and part public green space where Saigonese families have picnicked on weekends for over 150 years.
Where Is Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens?
The main entrance is at 2B Nguyen Binh Khiem Street, Sai Gon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City. A secondary gate is at No. 1 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street.
Getting there is straightforward from most central neighborhoods:
- By taxi or ride-hailing (Grab, Be): From Ben Thanh Market, the fare usually runs 50,000 to 150,000 VND (~$1.90-$5.69) depending on traffic. It is the most convenient option for first-time visitors.
- By public bus: Routes 05 and 14 stop near the zoo. Fares are 5,000 to 6,000 VND (~$0.19-$0.23) per trip, a very cheap option if you are comfortable navigating the city bus system.
- By motorbike: Parking is available at both entrances, starting at 3,000 VND (~$0.11) for motorbikes.
- On foot: From Nguyen Hue Walking Street, it is roughly a 5-minute walk.
Some transportation options to Saigon Zoo&Botanical Garden
The zoo is close to several other attractions, so it fits naturally into a broader day of exploring the city center.
Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens Opening Hours
The Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens is open daily from 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM, including weekends and public holidays. The amusement park section operates from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It is advisable to arrive before 2:00 PM if you want to see both the zoo and the museum without rushing.
Plan for at least 2 to 3 hours for a comfortable visit. Families with young children who want to use the rides and the petting area should budget closer to a half day.
Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens Tickets and Entrance Fee
Admission pricing as of 2026:
| Ticket Type | Price (VND) | Price (USD) |
| General admission (adult) | 60,000 VND | ~$2.35 |
| Children’s admission | 40,000 VND (Free for children shorter than 1 m with parents) | ~$1.52 |
| Museum of History (separate) | 30,000 VND | ~$1.18 |
| Amusement ride tickets | 10,000 to 50,000 VND each | ~$0.39 to ~$1.96 |
| Animal feeding activities | 15,000 VND | ~$0.59 |
| Motorbike parking | 3,000 VND | ~$0.11 |
| Car parking (4-7 seats) | 30,000 VND | ~$1.18 |
Tickets are available at both entrance gates, and no advance booking is required. The price is low enough that the museum and a couple of ride tickets for kids barely add up to the cost of one coffee at a hotel lobby.
A Brief Story of Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens
The zoo was commissioned on March 23, 1864, by Admiral Pierre-Paul de La Grandiere, then commander of French forces in Cochinchina. Construction began on 12 hectares northeast of the Thi Nghe Channel, and by the end of 1865 the site had expanded to 20 hectares. The botanical section was established by French botanist Jean Baptiste Louis Pierre, who directed it until 1877.
The zoo opened to the public on February 17, 1869, which makes it one of the eight oldest continuously operating zoos in the world. It has seen French colonial rule, two wars, reunification in 1975, and decades of renovation since. In 1992, the Vietnamese government formally recognized it as a National Historical-Cultural Relic. In 1990, the zoo joined the South East Asian Zoos Association (SEAZA) and is also a member of WAZA and IUCN.
In 1956, the site was renamed “Thao Cam Vien Sai Gon”, the name it carries today. A Fauna and Flora Museum opened on the grounds in 2017, and the zoo continues to attract around 1.8 million visitors per year.
Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens Highlights
This is what most visitors come for, and it is worth taking your time here. The grounds are large enough that a rushed two-hour walk will leave you feeling like you missed something.
The Animal Collection
The zoo is home to many rare and endangered animals
The zoo holds over 590 animals from 125 species, a mix of native Vietnamese wildlife and exotic animals that many Vietnamese visitors were seeing for the first time when they were introduced. The collection includes:
- Big cats: African lions, white Bengal tigers, Indochinese tigers, clouded leopards, and Asian golden cats.
- Primates: Gibbons, monkeys, douc langurs, and various apes in a dedicated primate section.
- African species: Giraffes, hippopotamuses, pygmy hippopotamuses, blue wildebeest, and common elands.
- Reptiles: Saltwater crocodiles, Siamese crocodiles, pythons, iguanas, turtles, and tortoises in a dedicated Reptile House near the Nguyen Thi Minh Khai gate.
- Birds: Multiple bird areas spread across the grounds, including flamingos.
- Other species: Ostriches, jaguars, binturongs, fishing cats, raccoons, and civets.
One practical note: around 3:00 PM daily, staff feed the lions, Indochinese tigers, and Bengal tigers at their enclosures. If you time your visit to be in that area around mid-afternoon, it is worth watching.
On weekends and public holidays (9:30 to 10:00 AM on Saturdays and Sundays, and 10:00 to 10:30 AM on holidays), children can enter the petting zoo area for free. Kids can feed baby goats and lambs directly through the fence, which tends to be a genuine highlight for young visitors.
The Botanical Garden
Finding a peaceful escape under the ancient canopy of the Saigon Botanical Gardens.
The botanical side of the park is underrated. The 260 plant species include trees that were planted when the French first laid out the grounds, meaning some of the shade trees you walk under today are over 150 years old. The collection covers:
- 20 species of orchid in a dedicated orchid garden
- 32 species of cactus and succulents, including specimens imported from Africa and the Americas
- 34 species of bonsai
- Ferns, palms, and tropical species from across Southeast Asia
The plant conservation area is managed separately from the main walking paths, but visitors can access the orchid garden and wander through sections labeled rare species. The old trees throughout the grounds provide genuine shade, which matters a lot in a city where the midday heat is no joke.
The Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History
The stunning architecture of the Museum of Vietnamese History, a gateway to the nation’s rich past.
Inside the zoo grounds, the Museum of Vietnamese History is a separate ticket. The museum covers Vietnamese history from early civilization through 1975 and is split into two main sections: 15 rooms covering the period from Vietnam’s earliest recorded history to 1930, and 6 rooms dedicated to the culture and history of South Vietnam. In total, the museum holds roughly 25,000 documents, artifacts, and ethnographic records.
Outside the museum building, there is a display yard with weapons from the French colonial era. The museum entry fee is separate from the zoo ticket, at around 30,000 VND (~$1.18).
>>> Check out top 10 museums in Ho Chi Minh City if you’re a traveler who loves history and exploring culture!
The Temple of Hung Kings
The Temple of the Hung Kings, honoring the legendary founders of Vietnam.
Also on the grounds is the Temple of Hung Kings, originally built as a monument to Indochinese soldiers who died fighting for France during World War I. After 1975, it was rededicated to the Hung Kings, the legendary founders of the Vietnamese nation. It is a working temple where locals come to pray, not just a tourist photo stop.
The Amusement Park Area
The zoo has a small amusement park section with bumper cars, a roller coaster, hot air balloon rides (tethered, not floating), a mini train that loops through the grounds, and various arcade games. Ticket prices for individual rides range from 10,000 to 50,000 VND (~$0.39 to ~$1.96) per ticket. The mini train ride is popular with children and older visitors who want to cover the grounds without walking the full distance.
On weekends and public holidays, the zoo stages free cultural performances including traditional Vietnamese music and dance, water puppet-style shows, and animal feeding demonstrations. These are not advertised well in advance, so it is worth checking with staff at the entrance about the day’s schedule.
Is the Saigon Zoo Worth Visiting?
For most visitors to Ho Chi Minh City, yes. The zoo is not a world-class wildlife facility by the standards of Singapore or Bangkok, and if your main interest is animal welfare, you should know it is an older urban zoo with the limitations that come with that. That said, the combination of rare Vietnamese species, 150-year-old trees, free cultural performances, an on-site history museum, and a ticket price under $3 makes it genuinely hard to dismiss.
For families traveling with children, it is one of the best-value half-days in the city. For travelers interested in Vietnamese history, the museum and the Hung King temple add a layer that most visitors do not expect from a zoo visit. And for anyone who just needs a few hours away from Saigon’s traffic and noise, the old trees and botanical sections do that job better than most parks in the city center.
What to See Nearby It
The zoo is well-positioned for pairing with other Sai Gon Ward attractions on the same day:
- Reunification Palace is about 10 minutes by taxi. The 1960s-era building is preserved largely as it was when North Vietnamese forces entered on April 30, 1975.
- War Remnants Museum covers the American-Vietnam War in detail, including equipment and photography from both sides.
- Notre-Dame Cathedral of Saigon and the Central Post Office are both within 15 minutes by taxi, in the opposite direction toward the city center.
- Ben Thanh Market is close and good for a late afternoon walk and food before heading back.
If you want a structured day covering multiple sites with a local guide, the Ho Chi Minh City day tours include half-day and full-day options that can be customized around your specific interests.
Practical Tips for Visitors
A few things worth knowing before you go to the Saigon zoo & botanical gardens:
- Wear flat shoes: The grounds cover 20 hectares and the paths are extensive. High heels are a bad idea.
- Bring sun protection: A hat and sunscreen matter, especially between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM. Several sections have limited tree cover.
- Carry water: There are food vendors and small restaurants on-site, but staying hydrated in the heat is your responsibility.
- Dress appropriately for the temple: If you plan to enter the Temple of Hung Kings, shoulders and knees should be covered.
- Weekend mornings are busiest: If you prefer fewer crowds, weekday mornings are noticeably quieter.
- Grab a map at the entrance: The grounds are larger than most visitors expect, and a map (or QR code scan at the gate) helps with navigation.
- Do not feed the animals outside of designated feeding areas, and do not tap on enclosure glass.
Conclusion: Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Official name | Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens (Thao Cam Vien Sai Gon) |
| Address | 2B Nguyen Binh Khiem Street, Sai Gon Ward, HCMC |
| Phone | +84-838293728 |
| cskh.kdttsaigonzoo@gmail.com | |
| Website | https://saigonzoo.net/ |
| Opening hours | 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM, daily |
| General admission | 60,000 VND (~$2.35) |
| Children’s ticket |
|
| Year founded | 1864 (opened publicly 1869) |
| Size | 20 hectares (49 acres) |
| Animals | 590+ animals, 125+ species |
| Plants | 1,830 trees and plants, 260 species |
| Attractions nearby | Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History, Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral of Saigon, Ben Thanh Market |
| Recommended visit time | 2 to 3 hours minimum |
The Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens works best as part of a broader day in Ho Chi Minh City, or as a standalone morning visit before heading out on a longer excursion. If you are combining it with Cu Chi Tunnels, the Mekong Delta, or other Southern Vietnam sites, a private guide makes the logistics considerably easier.
IDC Travel offers Southern Vietnam tours and Ho Chi Minh City day tours for travelers who want a structured experience with local expertise. All itineraries can be customized, and the team is available to advise on combining the zoo with other sites based on your schedule and interests. Contact us now!
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