The Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens in District 1 is one of the oldest zoos in Asia, founded by the French in 1864. The grounds are large and shaded by mature tropical trees — a welcome contrast to the surrounding city heat. The botanical garden section is the most pleasant part, with orchid houses, a lily pond, and old specimens of tropical hardwoods.
The zoo itself is old-fashioned and the conditions are not at Western sanctuary standards, but it is popular with Vietnamese families and the animal collection includes rare Asian species. The history of the Saigon Museum of Vietnamese History, located within the grounds, is worth an hour; it has exhibits covering pre-colonial Vietnamese civilisations and a collection of Cham sculptures. Entry to the gardens and zoo costs a few dollars.