Land of nearly 160,000m2 in the city center of Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Báo Dân trí•13/12/2024
(Dan Tri) - The land of nearly 160,000 square meters is located in the center of District 1, adjacent to 3 major roads Nguyen Binh Khiem, Le Duan, and Nguyen Thi Minh Khai.
Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden, located in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, was built in 1864 and is one of the 8 oldest zoos in the world . It currently houses more than 2,000 animals of 135 species, including many endangered and rare species. Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden was leased land by the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City with an area of 158,117m² for public use, for a period of 50 years. This place has rich vegetation with more than 2,500 trees and more than 900 species in need of conservation. This is an attractive destination for international tourists and domestic people when coming to Ho Chi Minh City to visit and have fun. Currently, the Zoo has more than 260 staff members taking care of many areas inside the zoo. Residents and tourists flock to the 160-year-old zoo on weekends and holidays. During the week, it is quieter with fewer visitors. Visitors often come to the Zoo to have fun, see rare animals and experience many types of games for both children and adults. The Zoo is home to 135 rare animal species, many of which are listed in the Vietnam Red Book such as tigers, bears, peacocks, elephants, flamingos, hippos, langurs, etc. Talking to the press about the tax debt of nearly 850 billion VND, Ms. Vu Thi Huong Giang, Director of Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden, said that the unit is worried about the risk of temporarily suspending operations when having to collect nearly 850 billion VND in tax arrears. In 2014, Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden was signed by the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City to lease land with an area of 158,117m² for public use, with the amount to be paid of 163.3 billion VND/year. Last October, the District 1 Tax Department announced that the tax debt of Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden Company Limited was more than 846 billion VND. According to Dan Tri reporters, these days, the scene inside the animal cages and amusement areas of the Zoo is quite quiet, with few tourists visiting.
The thrilling game area, the 30m high sun wheel here is also deserted. Thuy Linh (Tan Binh district) rented an ao dai with her friends to go to the Zoo to take photos in the area where peacocks and flamingos are kept. "I just heard that the Zoo is at risk of closing. If it really closes, it will be a pity. I don't know where many animals here will go. In the future, we will also lose a place to play and check-in," Linh shared.
According to the reporter’s observation, the food and beverage services and the electric cars that take tourists for sightseeing are almost deserted on weekdays. The children’s swimming pool is also deserted. After about 160 years of formation and development, Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden has become a cultural symbol and a common home for many animal species, loved by locals and foreign tourists. The Zoo is also a "green lung" located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, surrounded by high-rise buildings. Every year, this place attracts millions of visitors to see rare animals, explore the cool green space and diverse vegetation right in the heart of the city.
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