Previously known as Bachthao Gardens, Hanoi Zoo is domestic to approximately 800 animals with over ninety distinctive species on exhibition, consisting of big cats, monkeys and reptiles. The zoo is located inside Thu Le Park - a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of Hanoi central.

1. Historical origin

     Hanoi Zoo One Member Co., Ltd, formerly known as Animal Breeding Division under Hanoi Park Company, was formerly based in Bach Thao, Ngoc Ha and Ba Dinh Gardens.

     In 1976, to meet the development and implementation of the City's general planning, especially building Ba Dinh historical relic and Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, Hanoi People's Committee decided to move the herd of animals. and some stables from Bach Thao to Thu Le Park and established Hanoi Zoo under the Public Works Management Department (later Hanoi Department of Public Transport).

     30 Last year, Hanoi Zoo had many changes in organization and step by step maturity. That is reflected in the decisions of the City government. On January 16, 1993, Hanoi People's Committee issued Decision No. 175 / QD-UB on the establishment of Hanoi Zoo Enterprise. On November 1, 1997, the City People's Committee issued Decision No. 4220 / QD-UB on the transfer of Hanoi Zoo from State-owned business enterprises to public-utility enterprises. On January 3, 2000, the Director of the Department of Transport and Public Works issued Decision No. 01 / QD-GTCC on the establishment of Cau Dien Animal and Plant Breeding Enterprise of the Company. November 4, 1994, Hanoi People's Committee has Decision No. 2895 / QD-UB on the ranking of class I enterprises for the Company. On February 9, 2001, Hanoi People's Committee issued Decision 774 / QD-UB ranking at the first-class enterprise for the Company. On November 16, 2005, Hanoi People's Committee issued Decision No. 191/2005 / QD-UB to transfer Hanoi Zoo to Hanoi Zoo One-member State Company Limited. On August 2, 2011, Hanoi City People's Committee issued Decision No. 3564 / QD-UBND on changing the name and defining the organizational structure of Hanoi Zoo Company Limited. Hanoi People's Committee has Decision No. 191/2005 / QD-UB to transfer Hanoi Zoo to Hanoi Zoo One-member State Company Limited. On August 2, 2011, Hanoi City People's Committee issued Decision No. 3564 / QD-UBND on changing the name and defining the organizational structure of Hanoi Zoo Company Limited. Hanoi People's Committee has Decision No. 191/2005 / QD-UB to transfer Hanoi Zoo to Hanoi Zoo One-member State Company Limited. On August 2, 2011, Hanoi City People's Committee issued Decision No. 3564 / QD-UBND on changing the name and defining the organizational structure of Hanoi Zoo Company Limited.

     The main task of Hanoi Zoo Company Limited is:

     - Collect, domesticate and organize the display of rare and precious animals and birds for entertainment and recreation, while contributing to scientific research and biodiversity conservation;

     - Producing and trading products in the process of nurturing all kinds of animals, animals; 

     - Research and organize the implementation of scientific programs and projects on the care and nurturing and breeding of rare and precious birds and animals; 

     - Trading in fertilizers; 

     - Maintain and care for green flower beds and lawns; cutting and cutting trees and trees; 

     - Producing and trading in ornamental plants and trees; 

     - Trading in entertainment services, cultural entertainment, arts, sports, dining, refreshments, eco-tourism, advertising;

     - Organizing the custody of bicycles, motorbikes and cars in the land area managed by the Company; 

     - Technical design of specific works of the Zoo; 

     - Construction, renovation and repair of public works.

     Currently the company has 4 rooms, professional departments, 12 enterprises and 3 specialized rooms and 1 affiliated center. Specifically: 

     - Cau Dien Animal and Plant Breeding Enterprise is currently nurturing and propagating to preserve the genetic resources of many endemic and rare Pheasant species of Vietnam - a reserve of the Zoo and exchanging with gardens. Other animals, nursery plants and flowers for the maintenance of landscape of Hanoi Zoo. 

     - 2  Enterprises to maintain trees are responsible for: maintaining green trees, grass beds in VTHN campus, Hoa Binh Park.

     - General service business enterprise and Hoa Binh Park Service Center.

     - Admission Management Office. 

     - Security room. 

     - Department of Conservation Education.   

     - Vehicle Management Enterprise and Repair Service. 

     - Enterprise maintaining construction and installation.

2. Improvement and Development

     Originally known as Bachthao Gardens, Hanoi Zoological Gardens changed its name and moved to the location of Thule Park on the 6th August 1976. The current site covers an area of 21 hectares, 6 of which are taken up by the lake.

     HANOI ZOO - 29 YEARS OF BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT

     Responsibilities:

          1. The preservation and conservation of animal species.

          2. The design and construction of facilities which add to the conservation and beauty of Hanoi Zoo.

          3. Providing a facility where researchers can discover more about the lives of the animals.

          4. Providing an atmosphere the people of Hanoi can visit to relax and learn about animals.

          5. Producing some domestic animals and plants (bonsai) for sale.

     Hanoi Zoo began at Thule Park with 300 specimens of just 35 species. Today the Zoo is home to around 800 animals of 90 different species.

     Many of the species of animal cared for at Hanoi Zoo are listed in the Red Data Book for Vietnam. The "Red Data Book" lists the animals in the country which are endangered and, without assistance and protection may become extinct in the future. These species include the Indochinese Tiger, Clouded Leopard, Golden Cat, Owston's Palm Civet, Vietnam Pheasant, Crested Argus and the Asian Elephant.

     Hanoi Zoo also cares for a number of animals which have been imported from overseas, such as the ostrich, Siberian tiger, rhea and the once native Edward's Pheasant.

     Great changes have occurred at the Thule Park site since we moved here in 1976.

     Today you will find: 

          11,870 m2 of cage space; 60,000 m2 of lawn;  17.000 m2 of flower beds; 19,000 m2 of pathways; 8,573 trees.

     Science and Technology:

     In the beginning, Hanoi Zoo had only 7 technicians, today we have over 20. In addition to  these we have 15 trainee technicians and 2 highter university cadres.

     Hanoi Zoo works hard to find out more the animals that we care for and have conducted around 20 research projects over the years Many of these, in particular those involving the pheasants have attracted much attention throughout the conservation community.

     Hanoi Zoo has been able to establish many links with research and zoological institutions, both within Vietnam and around the world. Such links are vital for an exchange in conserving and protecting wildlife.

     Hanoi Zoological Gardens is a member of SEAZA (the South East Asian Zoo Association).

     Hanoi Zoo works closely with a number of non-governmental organizations including the World Pheasant Association.

3. Relations

     Hanoi Zoo has been able to establish many links with research and zoological institutions, both within Vietnam and around the world. Such links are vital for an exchange in conserving and protecting wildlife.

     From the beginning Hanoi Zoo has built up relationships with more than 20 zoos in the world. It is also a member of the Organisation Conservation Animal International and in 1993 the Hanoi Zoo became member of the South East Asian Zoo Association (SEAZA) as well. The relationships with the zoo’s from all over the world is a mean to combine forces for conserving, breeding or exchanging programs of endangered species. 

     Hanoi Zoological Gardens works closely with a number of non-governmental organisations including the World Pheasant Association and were present at many international conferences about the conservation of endemic species of Vietnam in Asia, Europe and the USA.

     Many relations are based on conserving endangered species and do not let them become extinct. Since we are involved with multiple breeding programs for endangered, endemic species of pheasants we have a good relation with the World Pheasant Association. Mr. Le Sy Thuc, director of the Hanoi Zoo, was elected a vice-director of the World Pheasant Association a few years ago. Together with Birdlife International and the IUCN Species Survival Commission the World Pheasant Association established the Pheasant Specialist Group to conserve the species of pheasants all over the world. The Hanoi Zoo plays a significant role in this matter.

     The vision of the South East Asian Zoos Association is that its member zoos utilize their animal collections for the primary purposes of educating our public by imparting messages on the urgent need for environmental conservation in a manner that upholds the respect and dignity of the wild animal. Our membership is a huge development for the zoo but also a way to improve to international standards. SEAZA actively supports the ex-situ and in-situ conservation of populations of endangered species and their habitat, especially from the South East Asian region. 

     The Ministry of “agriculture and rural development” is fighting illegal trade of endangered animals which results in the confiscation of animals. The Hanoi Zoo is really important in this part since the Zoo is able to take care of the confiscated animals on a proper way. Within the last few years the Hanoi Zoo received nine confiscated black bears, a confiscated tiger “Lam Nhi” and several monkey species. At the moment they found Lam Nhi she was really in a worse state but now she have had cubs one year ago and she is doing very well. The WWF Indochina in Hanoi  also plays a role in this part; they recommend the zoo to the Ministry of agriculture and rural development as the best place to bring the confiscated animals. Hanoi Zoo and WWF co-operated often on educational programs for conservation.

     The same scenario occurs for the National Parks. In many occasions the confiscated animals will be brought to the zoo. Most of the time reintroducing the animals back to the wild can be lethal due to an overdoses of stress. We are there to give the animal a home.

     There are a lot of organisations where the Hanoi Zoo is involved in. Every organisation which has to do with the conservation of wildlife is aiming on the same goal. Hopefully the we can still be one of the zoo’s who’s contributing to the efforts of these organisations. 

4. Hanoi Zoo Highlights

     Animals on show at Hanoi Zoo encompass a selection of local species which includes the Vietnam pheasant displayed with information signs in Vietnamese, English and French. The famous person show off is Lam Nhi or ‘child of the wooded area’ – a tiger who become rescued after being taken from the jungle to be offered for its pores and skin. A nearby competition became held to name the tiger with over 10,000 school children submitting entries; nowadays the movie star tiger attracts many site visitors. Other big cats on display consist of the Indochinese tiger, Siberian tiger and clouded leopard.

     There also are lots of monkeys inclusive of lots of gibbons swinging from ropes and tyres in a mainly built monkey enclosure. Asian elephants are gift on the edge of the lake and there may be also a small aquarium with turtles and tropical fish. Households visiting Hanoi Zoo can take a rest in a shaded picnic region, kids will even experience a spin on the lake in a swan peddle boat.

     Whilst you’ve finished surfing spherical the zoo and surrounding gardens you could forestall by means of the souvenir store and purchase an decorative plant together with a bonsai tree.

5. Other information about Hanoi Zoo

     An awful lot of the emphasis at the zoo is based totally on amassing understanding instead of care for the animals so do be warned that the cages might be smaller than those you would possibly see at other zoos. Situations but are improving and are in reality higher than some of the ones discovered at neighbouring Asian zoos.

     * Opening Hours: From 08:00 to 22:00

     * Location: On Bach Thu Le around 5km North West of the city centre