Botanical Gardens, HCMC

The Saigon Botanical Gardens is one of the first projects undertaken by the French after they established Cochinchina as a colony. Though once one of the finest such gardens in Asia, the Saigon Botanical Gardens are now only a pleasant place for a stroll under giant tropical trees. Still, you can find about 2,000 trees including Chinese incense-cedar, a bonsai forest and a large greenhouse full of purple orchids. The emphasis is now on fun fair, with kid's rides, a fun house, miniature train, house of mirrors and such.