The old trees
Some over a century old.
Hoangvantoanajc — CC BY-SA 3.0 · trungydang — CC BY 3.0 · Mickey Đại Phát — CC BY 4.0 · Mickey Đại Phát — CC BY 4.0
The Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Thao Cam Vien to the city's people, is the oldest zoo and botanical garden in Vietnam. The French admiral de La Grandière ordered it in 1864, and it opened to the public on 17 February 1869, which makes it one of the oldest continuously running zoos in the world. The gardens hold about 590 animals of 125 species and some 1,830 trees and plants of 260 species, a few more than a century old, along with an orchid garden, a cactus garden and bonsai, and a bridge of 1927 over the Thi Nghe canal joining the two halves. The city's history museum and a memorial temple to the Hung Kings also stand in the grounds, which make a shady refuge from the traffic outside. Many residents come in the morning to walk under the trees, and it suits families with children. Go early, before the heat, and allow an hour and a half to three hours.
Some over a century old.
With cacti and bonsai.
Over the Thi Nghe canal.
2 Nguyen Binh Khiem Street, District 1
Saigon Central Post OfficeA working post office in a grand colonial hall, built between 1886 and 1891 besi12 minutes walk4.3
Notre-Dame Cathedral of SaigonThe red-brick cathedral at the head of Dong Khoi Street, built by the French bet13 minutes walk4.5
Saigon Central MosqueThe best-known mosque in Ho Chi Minh City, on Dong Du Street in the heart of Dis15 minutes walk4.6
Museum of Ho Chi Minh CityA grand colonial mansion of 1890 that tells the story of the city, and one of th17 minutes walk4.3
Nguyen Hue Walking StreetA broad pedestrian boulevard running from the riverfront to the yellow-and-white19 minutes walk4.8Yes. It has animals, shady gardens and space to walk; mornings, before the heat, are best.