For a long time, Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City has existed green, peaceful parks and zoos hidden in the heart of the bustling city. Here are the green places we recommend, where you can find a great relaxing experience.

Saigon Zoo & Botanical Gardens

The Saigon Zoo & Botanical Gardens has existed for more than 150 years, making it the 8th oldest zoo in the world. At first, this place was named Botanical Garden, used to improve culture and conservation activities of flora and fauna for the city people, as well as to serve research work for Indochinese scientists. In 1990, Botanical Garden became an official member of the South East Asian Zoos Association (SEAZA). The park has many kinds of rare and precious animals and plants that are indigenous and imported from many other countries such as Indochinese tiger, Asian Golden Cat, white rhinoceros, Pygmy hippopotamus, Ring-tailed lemur, etc.

Up to now, the Botanical Garden has become one of the largest zoos in the country with more than 1000 animals, more than 2000 trees of 260 species, 23 species of domestic orchids, 33 species of cactus on an area of ​​17hectares. The campus here is very fresh with chirping birds and countless green trees and beautiful flowers. The Zoo is a green lung that helps to regulate the air and preserve the natural environment of the city, while conserving rare species of flora and fauna in Vietnam.

Address: No. 2, Nguyen Binh Khiem Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1.

Opening hours (from Monday to Sunday and public holidays):

• 5:00 – 6:30: Open for individuals to participate in nutrition and exercise.
• 7:00 - 18:30: Open for visitors.

Tao Dan Park

Tao Dan Park not only has rich and diverse vegetation with more than 1000 species of large and small trees, but also a space bearing many traces of Saigon's history through 3 centuries. In the last century, this place was an ornamental flower garden located in the campus of the Governor of Cochinchina, called Ong Thuong Garden. The French continued to plan to become the first public flower garden in Saigon. Later, the park was named Tao Dan, which was a painting and poetry festival presided over by Le Thanh Tong King in the 15th century. In the early morning or cool afternoon, under the shade of airy trees with the chirping of birds, many local people come to sightsee, go for a walk, play sports, participate in art and entertainment activities.

Inside the park, there is also a temple area commemorating the Hung Kings, a small Cham tower and an ancient compound tomb of the Lam family with a large area and beautiful architectural relics remaining in the city. Currently, at Tao Dan Park, there are auxiliary works such as Saigon Sports Club with a football field, swimming pool and tennis court. On each Lunar New Year occasion, the Ho Chi Minh City Spring Flower Festival is held at the park from December 25 to January 6 of the lunar calendar with a variety of unique art and flower creations from all over the country gathered.

Address: No. 55C, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1.

Opening hours: 00:00 – 24:00 (every day).

30/4 Park

30/4 Park is located in the most beautiful location in the city, surrounded by Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Han Thuyen and Alexandre de Rhones streets. At the top of the park is Notre Dame Cathedral, the roundabout of Le Duan Street and a part bordering Pham Ngoc Thach Street. The overall park is divided into 4 clusters of campus with many old trees and green grass. 

Normally, the atmosphere here is mixed with the sound of heavy traffic, the sound of guitars, the sound of sales and the sound of chatter. Locals and tourists often come to the 30-4 Park to admire the scenery, take a walk and enjoy a cup of strong coffee. They sat together happily chatting, singing and watching the peaceful city scenery. This place is not only a place for the entertainment of city residents and tourists, but also a venue for major city events. From the 30/4 Park, tourists can easily move to historical attractions such as Independence Palace, City Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral.

Address: No. 198, Le Duan Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1 (in front of the Independence Palace).

Operating hours: 00:00 – 24:00 (every day).

23/9 Park

Located near the bustling Bui Vien Pedestrian Street, 23/9 Park is both a green area and a central bus station of the city at the B side. From here, locals and visitors can easily and conveniently travel by public bus to famous attractions and entertainment places in the city center such as Ben Thanh Market, Nguyen Hue Walking Street, Independence Palace, Botanical Garden, etc. 

With an ideal green space from the rows of perennial trees, a long carpet of flowers and a spacious natural lake planted with lotus, 23/9 Park will provide visitors with a fresh and quiet stroll. In addition, this place is also an ideal place for exercise and sports to attract participants from many different ages at the soccer field, children's entertainment area and gymnasium. At Lunar New Year occasion, 23/9 Park holds a City-level Tet Flower Market annually from December 23rd to 30th. 

Address: Pham Ngu Lao Ward and Ben Thanh Ward, District 1.

Opening hours: 00:00 – 24:00 (every day).

Le Van Tam Park

Located in the heart of the city, Le Van Tam Park has rich and diverse vegetation, bringing a fresh and airy atmosphere for residents and visitors to walk, exercise and entertain. The spacious park is divided into many small areas such as a playground for children, an exercise area for locals and a shaded area with many benches for passersby to rest. 

In addition to the main function as the city's green space, this place is also the venue for many fairs and exhibitions on food, books, agriculture, tourism on weekends or holidays. The most special is the City-level Tet Flower Market held annually  on the occasion of the Lunar New Year from December 23rd  to 30th  in Lunar Calendar, and The Ho Chi Minh City Book Fair is held biennially  in even-numbered years.

Address: Hai Ba Trung Street, Da Kao Ward, District 1.

Opening hours: 00:00 – 24:00 (every day).

Hoang Van Thu Park

Hoang Van Thu Park is located at the entrance to Tan Son Nhat International Airport with an area of ​​up to 81,000 square meters. The overall park is a large triangle surrounded by Phan Dinh Giot, Hoang Van Thu and Tran Quoc Hoan streets, in the middle there is Phan Thuc Duyen street running through. This place is like a green oasis with hundreds of ancient trees, lakes, flower beds and grass hills interwoven to create a unique and spacious public landscape. Almost all ages, locals and international tourists alike, love this place because of its smooth tiled streets, cool green huts, and colorful slides and swings. In particular, the park is also a familiar place for many generations of young people in the city who often choose to organize team games, picnics, singing and extracurricular activities. Referring to Hoang Van Thu Park, people will never forget the image of the city's cultural symbol at the corner work of Phan Dinh Giot and Tran Quoc Hoan streets with gentle architectural lines expressing the desire to rise up of a dynamic Ho Chi Minh City.

Address: Ward 2, Tan Binh District.

Opening hours: 00:00 – 24:00 (every day).