Terrible and depressing. Animals are kept in tiny and dirty enclosures. Most animals appeared visibly distressed (like the elephants that were performing repetitive, monotonous motions that indicate distress). Enclosures frequently had green, discolored liquid. Tigers were kept in TINY enclosures. Also, the general state of disrepair in the zoo was depressing. Swan boats lie half submerged in a polluted river. The only redeeming part was part of the botanical gardens, which had pretty flowers.

By far the worst zoo I’ve ever been to. Enclosures are tiny and dirty, animals look stressed. There is no respect for these beautiful animals. Also, if you have children you seriously need to pay attention. The only thing separating your child from an alligator is a hip-height log fence that can easily be climbed and a 2 meter drop (see pictures). Left this zoo feeling more depressed than when I came. Toilets are filthy for a big city zoo. If I could give 0 stars I would.

One of, if not the worst zoo I've ever stepped foot in. The poor animals look like they want to die. To avoid the daily torture they endure. The place is disgustingly dirty. The tour guides teach children that they feed chimpanzees coca cola. Here is a snapshot of the lion enclosure. This poor lion has a space smaller than my apartment. Nevermind how dirty this enclosure actually is. The place needs immediately closing.

My friends and I had a really nice afternoon at this zoo yesterday. There were plenty of places to stop for drinks throughout the park, the animals were all fun to watch, and there were tons of places to stop and rest, with people setting up hammocks, tents or just laying out blankets to sit up. This is a wonderful place to visit for any occasion.

The whole area is absolutely stunning! They do such a good job at keeping the gardens well kept. So many fantastic photo opportunities. However I wish this was just a botanical garden as the animals really aren't kept in very good conditions. The animal enclosures are so small, not looked after at all and the animals generally look so miserable especially the monkeys / chimpanzees. A lot of the animals just hold onto the bars and stand still staring off into the distance presumably wishing they were anywhere else.

Lovely zoo that's in need of refreshing as plenty of neglected areas. Probably due to the renovation and planned moved. Certainly plenty of animals, however they all seem rather slow except the monkeys. I would recommend a visit, there were plenty of fun things to do like the tree maze and there is tonnes of public spaces to laze around and enjoy the sun. Orchid house and surrounding was beautiful.

Shame, shame, shame! This place is so badly taken care of that it makes you wonder if those poor animals are even fed. I did not take many photos as I was shocked by the things I was seeing until I saw the Chimpanze cage. As you can see in the photos, the poor animal is in the middle of the cage exhausted, with no food or water in sight, no trees, no space and simply living on a piece of bare concrete. It is impossible to understand how this place is still open and with so many good reviews. The animal welfare here is at an extreme state that needs to be addressed.

Undoubtedly the worst zoo I've ever had the displeasure of experiencing. Only came here as the gate was open so could stroll in for free. It feels like an old abandoned zoo from the 50s but someone forgot to take the animals away.

Terrible, shocking and depressing. Should be closed asap. The majority of animals looked really distressed and depressed, walking around relentlessly in their tiny cages with no activity to do (some cages had literally nothing in them). Some cages were overcrowded with animals, others with only one poor creature living in solitude (see bear video). The animals cages and enclosures were tiny, filthy, poorly equipped and smelt really strongly of urine. They had not been cleaned for a while: there was trash (plastic, bottles etc) in most cages. Rats in other cages were eating the animals’ food. This is neglect and maltreatment. Also, people were knocking on cages glass, shouting at the animals and leaving litter in the enclosures. Shockingly, the botanical garden and pathways were in a way better, cleaner and shiny looking appearance than any animals enclosure. This is revolting and shocking and this zoo should be closed.

They have a lot of types of animals here but I love the otters, so cute! They were selling sugar cane so you can feed the elephants, you can bring your own carrots 🥕 to feed them if there is no sign "don't feed the animal" on the fence. The ticket fee for adults is 60k, kids under 130 cm is 40k. Bicycle parking is 2k, Motorcycle parking is 6k. The entrance into the Zoo is on "Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm" street. The entrance for the car and motorcycle is separated.

This zoo has a great botanical garden throughout but then you see some of the animals and how they live and it reminds you that you are in a second world country. Next door is the historical museum of Ho Chi Min. Well worth the admission.

Just visited this cool place last Friday and this post also includes some photos of last year's trip. First time was what and when? 1995 when I was in kindergarten? Yeah, that. Been that long, too? Poor the animals, though. They might have not been well fed.

Am not going to say this is the best zoo in the world, nor was it either exciting, because it was on the way and I enjoy seeing various things. The zoo is fairly plain and feels like a traditional zoo, no bells or whistles or the feeling to preserving animals or anything, its just a zoo... The animals have a bit of space, but it sure is hot out there for them. the food is another story, I didn't even attempt to try anything because I recall seeing food sit out and flies landing here and there on it, so no thank you. If you really want to go to the zoo, that is fine, but I wouldn't recommend it. But they do their best with what they have.

I am bit disagree with those who give low rate review for this zoo. During my visit here, the zoo is clean and have a lot of facilities for visitors. The animals are well maintained and cared by the zoo keepers. This place is not only zoo, you can have Botanic garden, water park and amusement park within the compound. This give the zoo a different vibe when you are there. Anyway, this is the place I am recommend for visit while you are in Ho Chi Minh City.

Where do I even start? Probably with DO NOT SUPPORT THIS ZOO. Weird dystopia from the 1800s that looks abandoned and so do the animals. It's 35 degrees and some enclosures had no water... for animals that are water based like otters... monkeys sat on top of their cages rather than in them. Rats were guaranteed in every enclosure, but lots were empty otherwise. The animals that were out looked depressed and unwell. A strong deceased animal smell was near one of the enclosures we walked by. There were dead fish in the ponds, and they'd definitely been there a while. Very, very sad. Not a good look for Vietnam for international tourists. Cultural differences are fine, but animal neglect is animal neglect, no matter what country.

This zoo needs a major refurbishment. Very depressing scenes. An eerie, abandoned feeling as I walked around one late afternoon. Not a zookeeper in sight. Animals look sad and lack stimulation. Concrete jail cells. Too many animals packed into small spaces. I saw deer trying to eat plants through the wire fence as there were no grass or plants around them. More money needs to be put into this zoo and animal wellbeing must be taken more seriously.

The zoo was quite large and had a few activities to do like amusement parks, walk around the zoo and some history about the Vietnam war (people using the place as a hideout). In terms of the conditions of the zoo, it was much better than I expected but of course, all up to the perception of the person. I think it was well maintained and value for money for the activity.

My expectations were low going into this, how anyone has rated it more than 1 star is astounding. Im really not sure how this zoo is permitted to have animals it is an utter disgrace. The enclosures are not suitable for any animal, more like jail cells. I didn't see a single staff member tending to any animals whilst we were there, the food and water in the enclosures if there was any looked old and unhealthy. It was a truly depressing experience. I can only hope that our ticket money helps feed these poor animals.

Me and my boyfriend visited the zoo after a visit to the war museum, thinking that it’ll cheer us up a bit after the horrors seen in the museum. Well the visit to the zoo made us even more depressed. The animals looked so sad and they are kept in very small cages. Lots of animals like tigers have only concrete floor to walk on and that’s so bad for them. The reptiles house looks abandoned and the water in their tanks looks like it has never been cleaned. There’s also a lot of construction going on in the surrounding areas which is probably also not great for the animals. Some of the monkeys have escaped their cages, but it didn’t look like anyone was bothered by that. The whole place looks like it’s abandoned but they forgot to release the animals. The zoo should be closed down as the conditions for animals are terrible.

Good place for kids and families, not bad foods and WC, but need more diversity of and healthy animals.

Very Nice Zoo...Lots of Shade to get out of Sun! Many Food Stalls, Restrooms Available! Definitely Go Here!

The zoo was okay really dirty and stinky even the animals looked at old and like they wasn't really taken care of to be honest. Being for the United States I guess expect a little bit more I was shocked that the way that they took care of the animals they just looked at old and decrepit definitely wasn't impressed everything looked at dingy and dirty and nasty no disrespect to nobody's country just wasn't a good place even the Tigers looked like there was malnutrition and skinny

All in one for entertainment. Basically all good, we enjoyed the stroll around the zoo. Maybe cleanliness need to be upgraded. Plus, more staff should be around to help manage the situation.

The zoo boasts an impressive array of animals, making it a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. Spread over a vast area, it offers an expansive space for visitors to explore. One of the highlights is the affordability of the entrance fee, which is remarkably low, adding great value to the experience. Additionally, the convenience of complimentary parking is a welcome bonus for guests. While the in-house entertainment facilities show signs of wear and are somewhat dated, they are accessible at a very reasonable cost. Overall, the experience is highly positive, providing an enjoyable day out for individuals and families alike.

some animals, such as white tigers and white lion, didn't move and most seem to be just thinking about getting food. you can feed monkeys, elephants, deers, and elands with food you bought from street vendors. i strongly recommend feeding monkeys. (they are so cute, but part of them can take away foods)

Really good place to see the creatures that you never seen before. Big territory, a lot of aminals and birds. Book several hours for your journey in this place. The Zoo is very old, you shall admit it. We enjoyed, really.

This location is a wonderful spot to unwind. It's quite spacious, offering numerous areas where you can capture Instagram-worthy photos. The place is well-maintained and kept clean. However, I do hope they consider upgrading some of the facilities, particularly the animal enclosures. Nevertheless, all in all, it's a worthwhile place to visit.

Nice place to visit and relax. I would like to come late in the afternoon so it would be less crowded. Animals are taken good care of, and I love that there are a lot of plants. Air is clear. There is also a history museum in the area, which holds occasional cultural events.

Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens is one of the oldest zoos in the world, dating back to 1864-1869. The zoo houses over 1000 animals of more than 130 species, including elephants, tigers, lions, monkeys, crocodiles, and birds. The botanical garden features many rare and exotic plants, such as orchids, cacti, bonsai, and medicinal herbs. There is also an amusement park with rides and games for children. I visited the zoo on weekend morning and it was not very crowded. The entrance fee was 60,000 VND (about 2.5 USD) per person. The zoo was clean and well-maintained, and the animals looked healthy and active. I enjoyed seeing the different animals and learning about their habitats and behaviors from the signs and guides. The botanical garden was also beautiful and relaxing, with many colorful flowers and shady trees. The amusement park was closed when I was there, but it looked fun for kids. The only downside of the zoo was that some of the enclosures were too small or outdated for the animals. I felt sorry for the bears and the big cats, who did not have much space to roam or play. I also noticed some litter and graffiti on some parts of the zoo. I hope that the zoo will improve its facilities and animal welfare standards in the future. Overall, I think that Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens is a worthwhile place to visit for anyone who loves animals and nature. It is a good way to spend a few hours in the city and learn more about Vietnam's wildlife and culture.

One of the finest places to spend time in ho Chi Minh City if you have interest in witnessing wild animals. The place is very well maintained with proper parking and reasonable entry price. It takes about 2hours to take an entire tour. Also there is an ice cream parlor just and a restaurant so you can plan your visit accordingly. Only small issue is you have to keep cash card is not accepted. Also you can visit the war museum that's good place to know some vietnamese history

The animal in good shape except the white female tiger look to be handicap.. The Monkey in cage should have real Tree with leaves instead.. Saigon Zoo management could improve like Singapore Zoo and each animal should explain in English for education purpose

Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens, a weekend getaway for city families. A place where young children can learn and explore the rich animal world, as well as the unique flora here. As a long-standing old botanical garden in Asia, this place also has a very unique architectural value. The campus also houses a temple for Hung Kings and a museum of Vietnamese history.

Other animals are mixed with the other zoo animals. But, maybe they are capable of sharing the same cages. Its very unhealthy place for the zoo animals. Need renovation. Some animals like monkeys and birds can manage to go out of their cages. But they don't harm people. I hope that parents take responsible to their kids when they encounter especially the moneys.

Lovely day out for big kids and little kids. The gardens are amazing. The history is pretty cool too. Great way to spend a few hours away from the crowds in the cool of the gardens. Lovely.

Went on the rainy Independence Day and it was not as crowded as I thought. Tickets were quite cheap considering the pretty wide range of animals. However, it seemed like they could not take care of these animals well.

went to the reptile house and they had all the same snake, I ain a reptile enthusiast but they really need to maintain and improve basically everything

Western visitors may be surprised and a little shocked by conditions at the Saigon Zoo. We chose not to be too judgmental about it and enjoyed our time there. For a modest price the complex offers Zoo, Botanical Gardens, Water Park and Fairgrounds. A good way to spend a few hours.

If I could give this zoo zero stars, I would. The Google reviews are misleading, please view the TripAdvisor reviews before choosing to visit this zoo. The animals were grossly mistreated, no food and very small concrete enclosures. The ostriches had pulled their feathers out, you could see the ribcage on the white rhinos, one of the black bears had lost its fur and struggled to move and the tigers were the saddest of all looking extremely thin with their spine showing. Visiting this zoo was a very upsetting experience. If you like animals, do not visit this zoo.

It's nice that it is both a botanical garden and a zoo. Some of the animal enclosures aren't as nice for the animals as would be preferred but they are excellent for close-up viewing of them (particularly the tigers).

When I read the recesses I was confused and little afraid how the animals will look like. But wow I love this zoo! We came on scooter, big parking and for 4 hours we paid 6.000 vnd for one scooter. Cheap entrance fee. First we went to giraffes and could feed them, had to buy carrot, but happy to do so. I was never so close to 🦒lovely experience. They were nice, clean, friendly. Then we went around the whole zoo and enjoyed everything. Be careful there is lots of rides so if you are with kids they may be more focused on those than animals 😂 The gardens and botanics are so nice, clean, beautiful. There are also dinosaur statues, so one part is like small dinopark. Will come back several times and take all friends who will visit us here in HCMC.

Amazing piece of history and well maintained considering the past two years of COVID-19. This is a landmark that could definitely benefit from some fundraising of individual and corporate donations. It could really be amazing for the animals.

Awesome place to learn about nature and animals. They take good care of animals and provide many kinds of plants to support their budget. Highly recommend for a weekend escape in Saigon.

Nice little zoo to come and chill and check the animals out beautiful kept gardens cheap day out and nice to get away from the hectic traffic .

During my recent visit to Saigon Zoo, I was struck by the breathtaking beauty of the lush greenery and the wide variety of animals on display. I was particularly thrilled to observe the various tigers, giraffes, elephants, crocodiles, and bird species, which added to the overall charm of the zoo. Overall, it was a wonderful experience that left me with lasting memories.

"A 'forest' in the heart of the city, spanning a vast area and housing a diverse range of creatures from common to rare. A green space closely connected to nature, this is an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts on weekends."🌏 📌Location: district 1 💳Ticket fee: 60.000VNĐ/1 adult; 40.000 for children and free for kid 🎁Food&Gift: there are some Food and Souvenir stalls with public prices 🌳Animal&Plant: so very much species animals and plant for discover 🪑If you feel tired from walking for a long time, don't worry, as there are plenty of benches here for you to rest along the pathways. 👧There are many things for children like Children's play area, water park, some fun events... 🥂There are also some area that allow you to seat and have a outdoor party. 🧻WC: there are a lot of WC in this place 🛤Near: The History Museum of Ho Chi Minh City, SaiGon Sniper, Hai An Bookstore...

The highlight of Saigon's Zoo is it's lush gardens and many trees. Can spend a few hours just looking at all the different types of plants. It's perfect if you just want a quiet afternoon escape from the bustling city outside. Sure the zoo is old, but I think they really try to take care of their animals with limited resources.

I think the cages could have been better maintained but it's a common theme in parks here in Vietnam; that the grounds need work. The dirty windows sometimes made picture taking irrelevant . Still quite interesting. Nothing was in English tho and I think that would be easy to do

After more than 20 years, I finally visited the zoo again with my kids. Still very loveable with a lot of animals. We went in the afternoon so the weather was great for a long walk. My kids love the place. Great time there! (And the price is very cheap).

It’s was amazing experience! A lots of animals, plants, games. There are also a mini water park for kids and it is free. Ticket price is 60k for adult, 6k for motorcycle parking and there are also a historic museum, the ticket is 30k. They have electric cars for people don’t want to walk, it will take you a tour around the park, ticket 20k/ round. The price of food and beverage in side is make sense for me, not crazy like I thought 👍. But there are mosquitoes cause of plants so bring solutions. In the end, it’s 2h of good experience, one of the biggest zoo in Viet Nam

Tickets cost 60k VND in 2023 for adults. The zoo's infrastructure is clearly from another era. The monkey enclosure had escapees who thankfully do not attack visitors. There was even 1 macaque who probably grew up and couldn't return back to the cage as it is too big. The orangutan enclosure was just sad. All the trees were electrified with barbed wire and the apes can only climb man made trees.

The Vietnamese need to revaluate their relationship with wild animals. The place is almost Victorian in many places and all the animals looked sad. There was a lion, perhaps sleeping or maybe dead in the far corner of its cage. Please do not go here until it’s closed down and completely redesigned, and I mean completely. A nice area for children to play with water, but the water didn’t look clean.

Very very sad location for the animals and visitors. It is a chame for city with such high industrial standard. I'm disappointed cause of the low standard for the animals. Satisfite is other. After the visit I'm scared and sad. And add, for kids non learning effect

Worth visiting. Nice botanical garden to explore. There's even amusement rides for kids and a pool.Some of the animal cages need refurbishing. Very successful in breeding some species. They got a handful of elephants and giraffes, and alot of deers.

A good place to visit with family especially children. One the best places for picnic with family. Zoo is an added feature to the Garden. Great place for sunday picnic for whole family, Spacious garden for lazy afternoon, for children - Zoo, toy train & play areas, kids swimming pool. you can just relax Or all is fun there.

Saigon Zoo offers an enthralling experience that envelops visitors in a captivating world of wildlife wonder. Upon my visit, I was immediately captivated by the diverse array of creatures . From the majestic wild cats to the awe-inspiring leopards, tigers, and bengal tigers, each animal exuded a sense of beauty. One cannot underestimate the sheer magnificence of encountering elephants and giraffes up close. These majestic creatures gracefully roam their enclosures, casting a spellbinding spell on onlookers. Their presence evokes a sense of reverence and respect for the natural world, reminding us of the intricate tapestry of life on our planet. While the monkeys was somewhat limited, it in no way detracted from the overall experience. Honestly, I expected to see a lot of different monkeys. There are several cafes where you can refresh yourself. While the existing benches provide respite for weary travelers, the addition of more seating options would ensure that visitors can fully appreciate the breathtaking vistas and captivating animal encounters. Overall, I wholeheartedly recommend a visit to Saigon Zoo. It is a sanctuary where nature's grandeur is showcased, allowing visitors to reconnect with the mesmerizing beauty of the animal kingdom.

So big and vast! Wonderful time. Giraffe feeding was a highlight! The lions and tigers were not there, off season in think, the orchid garden was closed and a little isolated overall. But good time with the animals and nature

I don’t think we had high expectations going in, but the zoo just seemed like a haphazard mix of attractions lumped together to try and build a tourist attraction. A lot of empty cages, amusement park rides and absolutely horrendous directional cues. But for about $3 a head, I would say it’s still a fairly decent option to spend a couple hours with family.

I think management should look into this,animals have the right to live without stressing, compounds are not wide enough to live, cleanliness is required, Money making is good but respect animal

I came here in the first but I really love it so much I can't describe by any words but I recommended you should come there once Every the animals are so lovely and beautiful in my mind It's good experience in my life Thanks

Large area and has a wide range of natural creatures. Totally a suitable place to hang out with friends, help people enrich their knowledge about biology, or even an ideal space to learn sketching stuff.

Very fresh atmosphere. Various kinds of animal. Beautiful scenery. Very suitable for a full-day picnic for a family. The ticket cost is 60k when I visited in April 2022, which is reasonable. The beverage cost sold here is also reasonable.