The Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens is one of the oldest continuously operating zoos in the world, founded in 1864 and opened to the public in 1869 during the French colonial period. Located on Nguyen Binh Khiem Street in District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City, it is the largest zoo and botanical garden in Vietnam. The grounds house 590 animals from 125 species, including white Bengal tigers, African lions, clouded leopards, fishing cats, gibbons, monkeys, giraffes, turtles, and snakes, alongside 1,830 plant specimens from 260 species, some over a century old. The park is divided into animal and plant conservation areas, an orchid garden, and an amusement area. It also shares its grounds with the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History, making it a rich destination for families and history enthusiasts alike.
