Botanic Gardens

Lonely Planet review

One of the first projects undertaken by the French after they established Cochinchina as a colony was to found the Botanic Gardens. Though once one of the finest such gardens in Asia, they're now merely a pleasant place for a stroll under giant tropical trees. The emphasis is on the fun fair, with kids' rides, a fun house, miniature train, house of mirrors and such.

We strongly recommend against visiting the poorly kept zoo animals, which live at the usual (ie marginal) Vietnamese standard.

Standing just inside the main zoo gate (Ð Nguyen Binh Khiem on the eastern end of ÐL Le Duan) you'll be flanked by two striking architectural gems, the impressive Temple of King Hung Vuong and the History Museum.