Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens

Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens is a historic zoo and botanical garden located in Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Established in 1864 during the French colonial period and opened in 1865, it is one of the oldest zoos in the world. Covering about 20 hectares, it houses over 1,000 animals, extensive plant collections including orchids and bonsai, and serves as a major urban green space for conservation, education and recreation.

Visitors can explore a large urban park combining a zoo and botanical garden with shaded walkways, landscaped gardens, ponds and historic French-colonial structures. The zoo area displays mammals, reptiles, birds and primates in enclosures, while the botanical section features orchid gardens, bonsai collections, cactus houses and mature tropical trees. Areas for walking, photography, picnicking, children's playgrounds and small museums are available throughout the grounds.