Saigon public parks and green spaces of Ho Chi Minh City
Statue of Dragons in Dam Sen Park
Saigon is extremely crowded and traffic-heavy so any area which offers respite from the heat and haze has an obvious appeal. The city boasts a large number of parks and gardens which provide an alternative to hiding out indoors.
The parks themselves can become fairly crowded, particularly in the early evening when joggers and strollers clog up the walkways. The carnivalesque rides and numerous games which appear in many of the parks during the weekends only add to the congestion, but ensure a vibrant atmosphere.
The parks are, however, much slower-paced and less hectic than the surrounding city, with a much more easygoing feel to them, while the greenery thins out the pollution to a certain extent. Early-birds who enjoy jogging will not be alone in the parks, although there are considerably less people than at other times of the day as well as the added advantage of the cool early morning conditions.
Among the most popular parks is Cay Xanh Park (Green Tree Park) which is centrally located and has an abundance of food stalls. It hosts a weekend carnival, while there are many areas to simply sit and watch the day go by.
The open space in the centre is regularly filled by people partaking in Tai Chi and those who want to join in are able to if they arrive early enough. This area is also occasionally used for go carts at the weekend. Shaded areas throughout the park provide the perfect getaway from the heat and hustle and bustle outside.
Twenty-Three September Park is found in downtown Saigon, on Pham Ngu Lao, District 1. The park is the most popular relaxing centre in the district and stretches all the way from Ben Thanh Market to Quach Thi Trang Square. It is less than 10 years old and one of the city’s most beautiful recreational areas. There are plenty of shaded spots but seating is sometimes difficult to find due to the park’s popularity.
Tai Chi is popular in Saigon parks
One drawback is that due to its proximity to the busy tourist area of Pham Ngu Lao, visitors are likely to be hassled by street vendors and touts. However, the view of the of the downtown Saigon skyline through the park’s green trees is certainly worth seeing, while being within walking distance from the Nguyen Trai shopping areas and Ben Thanh Market is a plus.
Located in Saigon’s District 11 is Dam Sen Park, which is extremely popular among teenagers and students. The park is larger than many of its inner city counterparts but may lack some of their charm. There are plenty of food spots and it regularly stages cultural celebrations. The park is on the outskirts of the city but if you go there at the weekend the chances are that there will be some kind of event to view.
Cong Vien Van Hoa Park, on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street in District 1, was originally a recreational area for the French and, in fact, still features a French colonial clubhouse in the centre of the park which provides a reminder of days gone by. However, these days it is filled with lush green foliage and serves as an affordable sports club for the people of Saigon. The park offers a swimming pool, tennis courts and ping pong tables, while the gym area is popular among the youth of the city. During the afternoon many locals enjoy naps on the park’s green carpet as they take advantage of the peaceful surroundings away from the noise.
Saigon’s zoo and botanical gardens are situated side-by-side on Nguyen Binh Khiem, Ben Nghe Quarter, District 1, with one section being for the animals and the other for the plants. The gardens feature thousands of plants, including species from the Americas and Africa. Nature lovers can peacefully stroll through this beautiful area and take in nearly 2,000 species of tree and 260 rare and valuable plant types.
Saigon Botanical Gardens is littered with statues
Le Van Tam Park is another popular recreation area among locals. Located just off Vo Thi Sau and Hai Ba Trung in District 3, the park boasts pretty green trees, a lake, some interesting statues and some nice walkways. There may not be as much going on here as some of the other more lively parks, but it’s ideal for those who just want to chill out for a couple of hours away from the intensity of the city.
Saigon’s parks are an essential part of its personality and the perfect place to escape the chaos all around. Not only are they cheap or free to visit, they also offer an interesting insight into Vietnamese urban life which is essential for the full Vietnam experience.
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