Hanoi Botanical Garden, Hanoi, Vietnam | Entry Fee, Opening Hours

Hanoi Botanical Garden, Hanoi Overview

Hanoi Botanical Gardens, locally known as the Bach Thao Park, is a green space located in the Ba Dinh district. It was built when the French ruled over the country. The garden is home to many different varieties of trees like coconut, palm, orchid, banyan, along with various species of animals such as squirrels and long-tailed macaques.

The Botanical Garden is spread over an area of 10 hectares and includes trails, fields, gardens, lakes and an island. Scientists and botanists have also planted a number of endemic and diverse tree species from Vietnam as well from other parts of the world such as Africa, Americas, and Oceania. The garden also has some bird cages and animal enclosures strewn along the way.

History of the Botanical Gardens

The Hanoi Botanical Garden was established in 1890 by the French authorities. Originally spread over 33 hectares of land, the Garden surrounded French villas and palaces. Later, parts of the land were given for the construction of the historical site of Ba Dinh, while the animals that were being displayed at the garden were shifted to the Saigon Botanical Gardens and Thu Le Zoo. Presently, animal enclosures in the Garden include monkeys, peacocks, squirrels and long-tailed macaques.

Plant Species at the Garden

The Garden houses rare plant species from tropical forests, such as the red wood trees. Two-thirds of the trees at the Garden are native Vietnamese species. Exotic flora from America, Oceania and Africa, indigenous tropical rainforest trees such as coconut, palm, orchid and banyan, vines and decorative plants can also be seen within this magnificent garden. However, the most prominent species is the Sua Tree (Dalbergia Tonkinensis Prain). More than a hundred years old, the tree belongs to the Fabaceae family and is usually small in height. It was recently at the centre of a controversy as it was allegedly sold at a million dollars.

Important Travel Tips

The Botanical Garden has a cafeteria offering coconut and coffee to its visitors. Knowledge of some Vietnamese phrases will prove handy since the Cafeteria lady rarely speaks in English.
The grassy patch on the hill to the right of the entrance is an apt location for picnics.
A visit to the Garden is ideal during the summer months, with its tranquil breezes, shaded canopies and benches. For visits, mornings are preferable and visitors should ideally wear comfortable clothes and sunscreen.
It is near the important attractions of the city like the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum, Tran Quoc Pagoda, the Imperial Citadel and Presidential Palace.

How To Reach Hanoi Botanical Garden

The Hanoi Botanical Garden is located on 3 Hoang Hoa Tham Road in the Ba Dinh district of Hanoi. For those walking down from the Ho Chi Minh complex, the side street before the Ministry of Agriculture leads to the Botanical Garden. The Garden is located 3.5 kms from the Old Quarter. The Hanoi Botanical Garden Bus Stop can be reached by bus lines 14 and 45.