Comments on: Caged and Outraged: The Sad State of the Ho Chi Minh City Zoo

By: Andrew

Andrew — Sun, 12 Jan 2025 07:30:50 +0000

In reply to Dave. I visited this zoo in 2007 and saw a lone chimpanzee in a cage. I took a photo of him looking at me with his hand on the bars. Just visited again today, he is still there sitting in the same cage alone 18 years later.

By: Alex

Alex — Sun, 29 Jan 2023 06:23:52 +0000

In reply to Trey Merrill. Absolutely Trey. That's the heart of blogging, I think!

By: Trey Merrill

Trey Merrill — Thu, 12 Jan 2023 23:01:27 +0000

I’m extremely new to travel blogging (still setting it all up) but I just ran across and read your post about the Saigon Zoo. As unfortunate as that was I’m really glad you (as a blogger) aren’t afraid to tell it like it is. I think I’ll do the same.

By: Alex

Alex — Mon, 25 May 2020 11:54:10 +0000

In reply to Thien Do. Hey Thien, the art museum is definitely amazing! Thank you for trying to share this message!

By: Thien Do

Thien Do — Fri, 22 May 2020 12:46:43 +0000

Hi Alex, how interesting thread you have here.
I’m a Vietnamese and I’m based in Hanoi. I’d been to HCMC several times and I went to the Museum of Fine Arts instead of the Zoos all the time. Actually, I planned to go to the zoo when I came to HCMC the first time because I love nature and animals, but then one of my friends who live there told me not to since they know I would be so sad to watch how animals being caged in the zoo.
I have the same point of view as you and your travel partner, locking these big and iconic wild animals in such a small space like that is torture. Plus, I don’t know if you observe the way that visitors feed and try to intimidate those animals, I cannot stand nor understand why they kept doing that when there are signs everywhere saying do not feed the animal, ect…
Anyway, such a few people care about this problem to actually raise their voice. I tried to but seemed like I couldn’t do it alone. I just want to share my thoughts and I really hope for the best to happen to those animals. Tomorrow I’ll have to do (kind of) a documentary on those animals inside a zoo in Hanoi and I came across your review, I’ll try my best to deliver my message and deliver your thought too.
Best!

By: Alex

Alex — Sun, 15 Dec 2019 22:05:40 +0000

In reply to Annice Okos. Hey Annice -- that is a tough one as if they truly are stray dogs, it would be impossible to hold anyone responsible for their care and sadly I don't know that Cambodia has government-run animal shelters. The best case scenario would be finding someone to adopt them or an NGO of some sort to take care of them. I get it, it hurts the heart.

By: Annice Okos

Annice Okos — Fri, 22 Nov 2019 06:08:05 +0000

Hi Alex,
We’re planning a trip to Saigon this December and read your post on the Zoo. We will definitely avoid going there are we are sensitive to animals and would be deeply upset to witness what you have so aptly described.

We were in Siem Reap a year ago at the War Memorial Museum and noticed several pregnant dogs wandering about — all were completely emaciated. We complained to the owner and really ended up chastising him for his cruelty to these animals. He spoke English and professed that he fed them.It was clear that they were starving. I had no one to report this to and am wondering if you have a source for this. It has bothered me for more than a year. Please tell your viewers to stay away from this Museum as well and if you have a recommendation for reporting this abuse I will follow up with it.

By: Alex

Alex — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 12:52:01 +0000

In reply to Evan. I'd avoid it, Evan. Glad your search led you here.

By: Evan

Evan — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 17:30:17 +0000

I’m in Saigon now, I was considering visiting it, but after what has been said about it, and when I read that there has been no improvement years later, it really has given me mixed feelings.

By: Alex

Alex — Wed, 04 Jul 2018 12:00:27 +0000

In reply to Laura Thom. Sadly I still regularly get comments on this post that let me know the zoo conditions have not improved. It's heartbreaking. I can only hope some travelers google it before going and this post warns them off going.