10 Beautiful Ho Chi Minh Parks

1. Tao Dan Park

• Address: no.55C, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St., Ben Thanh Ward, District 1 
• Open hour: 7 am - 10 pm from Monday to Sunday
• Entrance fee: free 

Lying on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai street, Tao Dan Park is one of the largest and most beautiful parks in Ho Chi Minh city. With an area of 10ha and over 1000 evergreen trees, the park is an ideal place to visit, have fun, and get yourself some fresh air. 

In the past, Tao Dan park belonged to the French general’s palace and was known as Tao Dan garden. Then, it was changed to Tao Dan cultural park with the added play zone which is now located on Truong Dinh street and features 8 main games.

Besides the play zone for kids, inside the park stand a Hung Kings’ memorial and an indigo tower, which is to remind the locals of Vietnamese history. 

During the daytime, Tao Dan Park is always full of foreign tourists and the Saigonese seeking some green peaceful spaces. On coming here, you can have a seat on the bench, gather, and talk to your friends or have a picnic on the evergreen grasses. It would not be really interesting but peaceful and relaxing enough to get your energy back. 

On the Tet holiday, there is also Tao Dan flower fair, where the unique flower artworks are displayed, so you can come here at that time to see them and take some pictures. 

2. Dam Sen Water Park 

• Address: no.3, Hoa Binh St., Ward 3, District 11
• Open hour: all-day
• Entrance fee: Before 4pm: $0.00 - $8.26 (0 VND - 190,000 VND) (depends on height) / After 4pm: $0.00 - $6.52 (0 VND - 150,000 VND) (depends on height) 

Dam Sen Water Park Saigon features a range of water slides, a wave pool, and several other thrilling rides for visitors of all ages. Located in District 11, this pleasure ground is a smaller amount than half-hour faraway from the town centre by car, making it a well-liked retreat amongst locals and ex-pats with children, especially during the usually scorching summer months and faculty holidays. 

If you’re a thrill-seeker, standout rides include the Kamikaze, a fast-paced water slide measuring 19 meters tall, and a Flying Fox-themed water ride, where you get to hold from a ten-meter-long cable over a large pool. Young visitors can enjoy the children’s play area, which houses colourful slides, and big statues of elephants and hippos spouting water jets.

3. Hoang Van Thu Park

• Address: Phan Dinh Giot St., Ward 2, Tan Binh District
• Open hour: all-day 
• Entrance fee: free

Hoang Van Thu park features a large area of 106,500 m2 with many trees, flowers, lakes, and a kids’ play zone, being suitable for cultural, physical activities, and picnics. The park itself is also the familiar location of big events, especially on special occasions. 

Being constructed in the triangle shape with the borders being Tran Quoc Tuan, Hoang Van Thu, and Phan Dinh Giot streets, Hoang Van Thu park is seen as a green oasis among the bustling city of Saigon. 

Coming here, you will be impressed by the picturesque scene of flowers. Those varying in colors, kinds, and shapes are put together to create a green, fresh atmosphere for tourists to get relaxed after days of travelling around the city. Also, it is great for taking some photos. 

4. 23rd September Park

• Address: Le Lai St., Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1
• Open hour: all-day 
• Entrance fee: free

The 23rd September park was once the Saigon train station, built by the French in the 19th century. After Saigon liberation on 30th April 1975, the station was partly destroyed, and its remainder was transformed into the park. 

Besides, though located quite close to crowded places in Ho Chi Minh city like Ben Thanh Market, Bui Vien street,  the park still features a fresh and peaceful atmosphere. Therefore, it will be an ideal place for tourists to walk around and relax when they visit the nearby attractions. 

In terms of structure, the 23rd September park is divided into 2 main parts. The A is a mall and kids’ play zone, suitable for shopping, dining, and having fun, while the B is a worth-exploring underground market. 

Also, at weekends, Indian, Thai, or Chinese food fairs are held for the locals and tourists to visit and try traditional foods of those countries. This is also the best time for you to meet and talk to friendly people and learn more about Saigonese culture. 

5. Le Thi Rieng Park

• Address: no.875, Cach Mang Thang 8 St., Ward 15, District 10 
• Open hour: 4 am - 10.00 pm from Monday to Sunday
• Entrance fee: free

The park is the largest amusement and event-organizing center in Ho Chi Minh City due to its stunning scenery with evergreen hills, a slow-moving river, and hundreds of shade trees. 

There is also a playground for kids with many interesting outdoor games. Exercise places and football fields are always available. Generally, the park is for anyone to visit, relax and have fun during the daytime.

On coming here, you can have a seat on a bench and watch people exercising, talking to each other. If you have time, you can take some great photos. By doing those, you will learn more about the typical lifestyle and culture of Ho Chi Minh city. Also, don’t forget to take part in some events here when they are held as they are really interesting. 

6. 30th April Park

• Address: no.210, Le Duan St., Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
• Open hour: all-day 
• Entrance fee: free

Named after the memorable event of Saigon liberation on 30th April 1975, the park brings along with itself a lot of historical values. Coming here and getting around the area, you will learn more about Vietnamese history and how Vietnam won in the long war against the American Empire. 

Nowadays, besides values of history, the 30th April park attracts a great number of local people and tourists with its large, airy space and ideal location. The park itself is full of shade trees, creating a fresh green atmosphere for everyone to relax and get away from the bustling life. 

Also, it is the favourite place for the Saigonese youngster to hang out and enjoy a unique style of coffee. Therefore, you can join them to know more about the modern culture and lifestyle of the city which is quite interesting. 

7. Thao Cam Vien

• Address: no.2, Nguyen Binh Khiem St., Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
• Open hour: 7.30 am - 5.30 pm from Monday to Sunday
• Entrance fee: $2.61 (60,000 VND)/ adult (above 130cm) / $1.74 (40,000 VND)/child (from 100 to 130cm) / free (under 100cm)

Thao Cam Vien Saigon is one of the largest nature reserves for old animals in Vietnam. With a large area, the park is now home to nearly 1000 species of plant and over 120 wide animals.

On coming here, tourists can not only immerse themselves in the fresh and peaceful atmosphere but also hear some interéting sounds of nature. The experience is even more fascinating if you get a guide to tell you about each kind of plant or animal. For children, it would be good when they have a chance to get close to nature. 

Besides, there is a kids’ playground with many interesting outdoor games and activities. If you have time, you can join with your kids as it will be great. Each activity and game that you take part in will also require tickets which is about $0,87 (20,000). Therefore, with $4.35 (100,000 VND), you can play anything.

8. Le Van Tam Park

• Address: Vo Thi Sau St., Da Kao Ward, District 1
• Open hour: all-day 
• Entrance fee: free

Le Van Tam Park could be a suitable place for everybody to try and do exercise, take a rest under the shaded spots, or get some fresh air in Ho Chi Minh City. With the bulk area roofed by flowers, grass, and tall trees, the park is taken into account as the best way of providing cool and clean air for the locals and is amazing for picnics or gatherings. Visitors can also consider it as a venue for chatting with friends and luxuriating in the gorgeous flowers and scenery. 

Heading towards the square, you'll see the Le Van Tam statue placed within the middle of the park and surrounded by flowers and trees. 

Behind the square, there's an entertainment area for youngsters, where some interesting games like swings, slides or seesaws often happen. That's why many parents and kids at Le Van Tam park take in the park, especially at the weekends. 

You can also enjoy some foods sold around the park, featuring characteristics of Saigon street food. Among them, the Vietnamese papaya salad is the most worth trying. 

9. Gia Dinh Park

• Address: Hoang Minh Giam St., Ward 3, Go Vap District
• Open hour: 5 am - 11 pm from Monday to Sunday
• Entrance fee: free

As the lungs of Ho Chi Minh city, Gia Dinh park is comparatively covered with a large green area. It consists of n2 main branches, called Gia Dinh 1 and Gia Dinh 2. With a complete area of about 57,880 m2, it is considered as one of the largest parks in Saigon, including natural landscapes and sub-zones for kids to play movement games, ladder climbing adventures. 

Gia Dinh 1 is where you can get yourself peace of mind under the shade of trees and colorful flowers along both sides, while Gia Dinh 2 seems larger and features more funny activities like taking exercises, dancing, singing, or going for a stroll around. 

On special occasions such as Halloween or Christmas, the place also holds some events and festivals for the young. 

With no fee to pay, visiting Gia Dinh park is definitely the real treat. 

10. Van Thanh Park

• Address: no.48/10, Dien Bien Phu St., Ward 22, Binh Thanh District 
• Open hour: all-day
• Entrance fee: free (entry to the swimming pool is $0.87 ~ 20,000VND) 

Van Thanh park is one of the most popular entertainment areas in Ho Chi Minh city. The park is located right on the bank of the Thi Nghe River, a branch of the Saigon River. From it, you can have a view of Vung Tau. 

Inside the park, quietness and peacefulness are the first senses you will get. As it is quite far from the city centre, the scenery is more tranquil and stunning. To enjoy it, you can sit in one amongst the pavilions on the lakes, wander on the green lawn along the river or have a look at stone-carving, weaving, and pottery-making village replicas. 

Apart from this asset and a number of entertainment services, several restaurants sit on the spacious area, covering some 5.5 ha of land and a couple of 5 ha of water. Therefore, you can drop in some of them to have a nice meal. 

Above is our recommendation for the 10 most beautiful parks in Ho Chi Minh City for your morning exercise or just a few minutes of relaxing walk. If you need a Ho Chi Minh tour please do not hesitate to contact BestPrice Travel.

Duc Anh

Image source: Internet