There are scams and annoyances in any public park that you must avoid, but you should try the public parks in Ho Chi Minh City when visiting the city. Here are some of the most favorite public parks in Ho Chi Minh City, where you can enjoy wonderful nature and greenery, experience fun activities, and meet with the locals.
September 23rd (Hai Muoi Ba Thang Chin) or 23/9 Park
Detailed Guide: What to Do at 23/9 Park
Quach Thi Trang Roundabout, Le Lai Street, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1
The location was the Saigon Railway Station before 1975 and used to be called the “Black Hole Of Saigon” after the station was destroyed and the area was abandoned during the 1990s. Since 23/9 Public Park was founded, this location has never been the “Black Hole Of Saigon” anymore because there are many green trees, and locals come here for many fun featured events.
Located in downtown Ho Chi Minh City, 23/9 Park is near many other famous attractions, such as Bui Vien Walking Street, Ben Thanh Market, and Nguyen Hue Walking Street. You can choose this park to relax and enjoy the fresh air or visit it on the weekend, trying traditional street foods and buying clothes at the underground Sense Market.
Because many Vietnamese students usually come here for self-study or team-building activities, it is also a good place for you to meet and talk with the locals; they want to converse with travelers from other countries to practice speaking foreign languages and learn the culture.
Tao Dan Park
Detailed Guide: A Tao Dan Park Review
55C Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1
With more than 1,000 trees in a 100,000-square-meter garden, Tao Dan is considered the “Green Lung” and one of the largest public parks in Ho Chi Minh City. Locals come to the park every early morning to exercise, meet friends, and talk about daily work or hot news in the articles. This park also has many exercise facilities and a playground for children.
One of the important attractions of Tao Dan Park is the Hung Kings Temple. It was built in 1992 and renovated in 2010. Here, Vietnamese people can memorize the Hung Kings, the country’s founders.
Annually, on Vietnamese Tet or Lunar New Year, Ho Chi Minh City’s Spring Flowers Festivals take place in Tao Dan Park. On those days, the park is decorated with very colorful and beautiful flowers and crowded with people from around the city who come to experience the charm of spring. There are also many other events, festivals, and sale market sessions held in Tao Dan Park on the weekends.
April 30th (Ba Muoi Thang Tu) or 30/4 Park
The intersection of Le Duan and Pasteur Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
This park is between two famous attractions in Ho Chi Minh City, the Independence Palace, and the Notre Dame Cathedral. It just takes you less than one minute to walk from 30/4 Park to those places. It is also a perfect place for photoshoots, dating, or holding events like Book Festivals for Children and Food Festivals.
30/4 Park was named after Vietnam Reunification Day, the 30th of April. Located near the busy streets of Ho Chi Minh City, the park offers a peaceful atmosphere with shades of trees where people can relax and enjoy the city view differently. Like other parks, 30/4 Park is a good place to meet people, rest, and avoid the hot weather of Ho Chi Minh City.
Ca phe bet or makeshift street coffee is a unique experience at 30/4 Park. The drink itself is like other Vietnamese coffees, but the experience will be different; you can sit flat on the ground of the park and enjoy your cup of coffee. Find a spot and sit down; the vendors will ask you immediately. They sell many things, from drinks to street foods, almost 24/7 in this park, so it is convenient for those who need to try the street style in Ho Chi Minh City. Unfortunately, this activity has been limited in the area, but you can still find the bet on the street sides nearby.
Le Van Tam Park
In the block of Vo Thi Sau, Dien Bien Phu, Hai Ba Trung, and Phan Liem Street (Dakao Ward, District 1)
Before 1975, this place was a cemetery for French soldiers, high-ranking politicians, military leaders, and leading members of the Southern Vietnam government. In 1983, the local authority of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam decided to move the cemetery to another place, establishing a park on it and named the park Le Van Tam, a legendary hero in the Indochina War.
Le Van Tam is not as big as other parks in Ho Chi Minh City, but it is chosen to be the place to hold many big events, such as the International Food Festival and the Ho Chi Minh City Book Festival. The Book Festival is organized every two years and is one of the biggest book festivals in Ho Chi Minh City.
Le Van Tam Park is a place for people to exercise, chat, rest under the shade of trees, or admire beautiful flowers. Young Vietnamese people also often come here to play guitars and do team building. Recently, a plan to build a modern underground parking lot beneath the park was launched; if it is a success, it could solve the parking shortage in District 1.
Hoang Van Thu Park
In the block of Hoang Van Thu, Tran Quoc Hoan, and Phan Dinh Giot Street (Ward 2, Tan Binh District)
The most special feature in the design of Hoang Van Thu Park is an elegant white sculpture rising into the air, representing the city’s desire to develop and thrive. Hoang Van Thu Park is also called the “Green Oasis” of Ho Chi Minh City because it is always cooled by the shade of trees and a small lake in the middle, which attracts many birds.
Located quite far from the busy central districts in Ho Chi Minh City (only 2 km from Tan Son Nhat Airport), it is a beautiful place for a getaway where people, especially wed couples come for artistic pictures or enjoy the fresh air and beauty of nature. The locals also usually gather here to study or spend quality time with their families after long hours at work.
Gia Dinh Park
In the block of Hoang Minh Giam, Hong Ha and Pham Van Dong Street, Ward 9, Phu Nhuan District
Gia Dinh Park is one of the largest public parks in Ho Chi Minh City, located in both Phu Nhuan District and Go Vap District. With the majority of the park covered by grass and rows of tall trees providing cool shade and clean air, Gia Dinh Park is absolutely wonderful for exercising in the early morning or evening and a great spot for picnics and gatherings.
There is also a small amusement area for children inside Gia Dinh Park, which has been operating since 2012. It offers many healthy activities. The amusement area is divided into different sections, and there are many healthy activities for children in Ho Chi Minh City, like water games in the summertime.
Bach Tung Diep Park
In the corner of Nam Ky Khoi Nghia and Ly Tu Trong Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
Bach Tung Diep Park is relatively small compared to other parks in Ho Chi Minh City, but it has recently turned into a street foods paradise with 15 kiosks opening daily from 6 AM – 9 AM and 11 AM – 2 PM. The local authorities’ effort is to keep the Vietnamese street food style fun and safe for locals and visitors from other countries. At each kiosk, there are tables and chairs for customers to try the foods immediately in front of the pushcart peddler. A parking lot is also available for visitors and vendors, so it is very convenient to come and try Vietnamese street foods.
All the foods were cooked at home and brought to the park, so you may not have to wait for too long in line. And the prices are very reasonable; the most expensive dish is just VND 30,000. Some popular foods like Bun cha ca (thick noodle soup with grilled fish) are sold at VND 20.000, or breakfast with a hot crab soup only costs VND 15,000.
Trying a dish in Bach Tung Diep Park allows you to experience authentic Vietnamese food and helps the vendors make ends meet. The local authority prioritizes these lots for poor vendors to help them find a place to do business and improve their lives.
Crescent Lake Park
Next to Crescent Mall, Ton Dat Tien, Tan Phong Ward, District 7
In one of the modern residential areas, Crescent Lake is a perfect location to freshen up after having fun in shopping malls or delicious meals in many restaurants on Nguyen Duc Canh Street. You can also visit here on big holidays like Christmas and New Year’s Eve, when the lake is more colorful with decorated lights. Crescent Lake Park is also where one of the biggest flower festivals, besides one on Nguyen Hue Walking Street, takes place annually on Vietnamese Tet.
Starlight Bridge (Cau Anh Sao) is another park highlight. It is one of the most beautiful bridges in Ho Chi Minh City, especially at night. Under the bridge, fine streams of water from both sides are lit by colorful neon lights. Standing on the Starlight Bridge, you can have a panoramic view of Crescent Lake and enjoy the peace of life in the busy city.
Conclusion on Public Parks in Ho Chi Minh City
Public parks are essential in the city landscape as a green lung and a playground for both the locals and the visitors. Coming to public parks in Ho Chi Minh City, you will experience many things in the city differently like sightseeing, meeting and talking with locals, trying street foods, and shopping in sale market sessions.