Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Ho Chi Minh City: Address, Phone Number, Zoo and Botanical Gardens Reviews: 2.5/5
Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Zoo and Botanical Gardens
2.5
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2.5
1,496 reviews
Excellent
160
Very good
335
Average
361
Poor
184
Terrible
456
Chris F
London, UK30 contributions
Couples
This is the worst zoo I’ve ever been too. For humans, it is poorly maintained, litter everywhere, disgusting toilets and broken theme park rides. Over half the pedal boats were sunk in the filthy pond, for example.
It is even worse for the animals. 5 Elephants in enclosures that are so small, they could stand still, swing their trunk around and hit every side. They showed clear signs of stress, rocking back and forth. Ditto the tiger cages. The Chimp cage had about 100 plastic bottles on the floor. Bear enclosure had a vary large family of rats scurrying around it, with a monkey cage being shared with a similar number of mice. Reptile house was stuffed to bursting.
It needs tearing down and animals given away to somewhere that cares for them.
It is even worse for the animals. 5 Elephants in enclosures that are so small, they could stand still, swing their trunk around and hit every side. They showed clear signs of stress, rocking back and forth. Ditto the tiger cages. The Chimp cage had about 100 plastic bottles on the floor. Bear enclosure had a vary large family of rats scurrying around it, with a monkey cage being shared with a similar number of mice. Reptile house was stuffed to bursting.
It needs tearing down and animals given away to somewhere that cares for them.
Written 5 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Bloop
Fleet, UK4 contributions
So I get the problems with zoos, it’s animals in cages- but a lot of zoos actually breed in captivity (not taken from the wild) or the animals are injured/were pets, it often gives back to rainforest charities and raises awareness about animals. I’ve been to some wonderful zoos. This is not one of them. There’s a lack of grass/dirt/ natural ground and nearly all the big cats were in tiny concrete cages lying down and fat. Crocodiles likewise in tiny exhibits and mod of the animals are just unstimulated and bored. It was a joke. These are not well cared for animals and it’s relatively dirty along the roads. Horrible zoo.
Written 18 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Inga Y
39 contributions
Friends
Well it wasn’t the best zoo I have seen it. Park needs renovation indeed, the animals doesn’t look very happy. Poor environment:(
Written 5 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Hoang Vo
Da Nang, Vietnam346 contributions
Solo
It has kept a lot of my memoirs here since I was a child with my families and was a boy with my friends, was a man with my exes.
Today it's getting better than last time, many interesting places. And you can watch animal in very close distance. Only cost 60k for adult, but it's really worthy.
Today it's getting better than last time, many interesting places. And you can watch animal in very close distance. Only cost 60k for adult, but it's really worthy.
Written 23 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nguyen
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam6 contributions
Solo
Not worth the price of 60k for adults. Animals in unhygienic condition and skinny, roads filled with trash.
Written 28 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Justin Hewett
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam291 contributions
An average review score of 4.2 feels amazingly incorrect after my visit today. Being fortunate to visit Zoos in different countries, I know what a zoo that is operating with care is supposed to look like and this is not even close to being it.
The park was "ok" with a few exotic animals and some carnival-styled rides, but there was literally trash everywhere. Everywhere. The park was not very busy, so the condition really felt unacceptable.
Before leaving around 430pm I asked if I (and my Viet gf) could speak with a manager and was directed to walk back to the other-side of the park. When I arrived, there was no one there and was informed that no one had been there that afternoon. I (my GF) asked who was in charge of the Zoo at that time and they said no one. Of course.
Long story short - The Saigon Zoo could be really great, but it's blatantly obvious that the people in upper-level management do NOT care; Don't care about fixing structural things that need to be fixed, don't care about training their staff not to smoke at their respective posts, don't care about having a manager (or some other authority figure) on duty in case some problems arise, and obviously don't care about the simple act of having more staff to help keep the park clean. Actually, in 2.5hrs we didn't see one person cleaning/sweeping, etc anywhere.
It's unfortunate that many of the people attending this zoo will never have the opportunity to experience a real zoo.
The park was "ok" with a few exotic animals and some carnival-styled rides, but there was literally trash everywhere. Everywhere. The park was not very busy, so the condition really felt unacceptable.
Before leaving around 430pm I asked if I (and my Viet gf) could speak with a manager and was directed to walk back to the other-side of the park. When I arrived, there was no one there and was informed that no one had been there that afternoon. I (my GF) asked who was in charge of the Zoo at that time and they said no one. Of course.
Long story short - The Saigon Zoo could be really great, but it's blatantly obvious that the people in upper-level management do NOT care; Don't care about fixing structural things that need to be fixed, don't care about training their staff not to smoke at their respective posts, don't care about having a manager (or some other authority figure) on duty in case some problems arise, and obviously don't care about the simple act of having more staff to help keep the park clean. Actually, in 2.5hrs we didn't see one person cleaning/sweeping, etc anywhere.
It's unfortunate that many of the people attending this zoo will never have the opportunity to experience a real zoo.
Written 21 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Michael Ray
2 contributions
Beautiful trees and park. I have been to a lot of zoos and this one has character and is very inexpensive to visit. It was worthwhile to visit as a tourist and I don’t understand the negative reviews. I saw a whole bunch of healthy animals and birds I have never seen before
Written 29 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Phan L
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam59 contributions
Friends
One of the oldest zoos in the world. The Saigon Zoo and Botanical gardens established in 1864, almost 156 yrs old. This place is a familiar destination for city dwellers. For me and my friends, it becomes a part of childhood memories. The facilities are not modern enough to attract many of us. However, if you spend time to visit the zoo with friends or family, you will have an album photo for your souvenir as well as enjoy the quiet and green oasis. The entrance fee is very cheap, only 50K VND/adult. That price allows us to listen to birds sounds, see wild animals in the cages. Maybe, the wild animals look unhappy in the cage, but they can not live in a real wildlife anymore.
With my friends, we consider this visite was a photo shooting and a short escape from a busy life.
With my friends, we consider this visite was a photo shooting and a short escape from a busy life.
Written 15 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tim S
1 contribution
This is an extraordinarily important 155 year old botanical garden and zoo and a beautiful part of Saigon's heritage. True that it is struggling for funding , but all the more reason to visit and support it. Some of the most ancient, towering and beautiful trees in any city in the world.
Written 7 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jungle J
Vung Tau, Vietnam225 contributions
Solo
An extremely horrible place for animals. Its like something left over from a collapsed government like Russia's former communist regime. Pathetic!
Written 13 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Hello everyone,
I am a high school senior from Vietnam. I have read almost all reviews on Saigon Zoo and as an individual who cares about animal welfare, I am really disappointed about the under standard conditions of the zoo facilities. Therefore I would like to call for help and solidarity from animal lovers to speak up for the animals, as the Zoo is showing the non-cooperation to some of wildlife welfare organizations. I wonders if you could take some time to email Saigon Zoo and some related authorities to show your concerns on the problem?
Mary-Lou D
Sydney, Australia37 contributions
I agree for foreigners to email is patronising. Best to tell all foreigners not to go till standards improve.
Robyn S
4 contributions
Does the very loud noisy panda BBQ restaurant effect the animals, cause it certainly effects all the guests in hotel surrounding, for goodness sake tell them to turn it down it's too damn loud
Richard W
1 contribution
Yes, it absolutely does. It is hugely distressing for all the animals as the booming noise can be heard throughout the zoo. The elephants are the nearest enclosure and they are forced to endure not only the unbelievably loud music but also inhumane and incredibly cruel conditions.
Robyn S
4 contributions
Does the very loud noisy panda BBQ restaurant effect the animals, cause it certainly effects all the guests in hotel surrounding, for goodness sake tell them to turn it down it's too damn loud
utkan ulucay
Istanbul, Turkey518 contributions
Poor animals, noisy bbq and karaoke trials and disrespectfull visitors are all sources of disturbance for animals. It is not a place deserving to pay for visiting (rewarding wrong behaviour).
LisaAvalanche
Toronto, Canada
What are the hours of operation? Thanks
Eileen P
Bromley, UK149 contributions
Hi Lisa,
Sorry, cannot remember the opening times, we went along between 9 and 10 I recall and had finished looking around (having sat and had a drink) and we visited the History Museum, on same site, before they closed for lunch. Really not very impressive compared to other botanical gardens we have visitied in Asia. However, hope you enjoy.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Zoo and Botanical Gardens
- Hotels near Zoo and Botanical Gardens:
- (0.03 km) Tro-Saigon Hem
- (0.03 km) #Family/Friend trip #GARDEN view **btw AIRPORT&DT
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- Restaurants near Zoo and Botanical Gardens:
- (0.17 km) Bloom Saigon Restaurant (Non-Profit Restaurant)
- (0.15 km) PPG Homemade Nama Chocolate and Drinks
- (0.09 km) Mirai
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