ZOO & BOTANICAL GARDENS

The Zoo and Botanical Garden ( Thao Cam Vien ; Te 829 3901, 2 Nguyen Binh Khiem str. Admission 8.000d open 7am – 8pm daily) is a pleasant place for a relaxing stroll under the giant tropical trees that thrive amid lakes, lawns and flowerbads. Unfortunately, the zoo facilities are a bit run-down, but they are gradually improving.

The gardens, founded in 1864, was one of the first projects undertaken by the French after they establsihed by the French after they established Cochinchina as a collony. It was one one of the finest such fardens in Asia, but this is certainly no longer true. The emphasis now is on the fun fair, with kids rides, a fun house, miniature train, house of mirrirs ets.

The zoo’a mainentrance is onNguyen Binh Khiem tre. on the eastern end of Le Duan str. Standing just inside the main zoo gate you’ll be flanked by two striking architectural gems. the impressive temple of King Hug Vuong and thi history Museum.