One of Saigon's rare green spaces

Word to the wise: The Botanic Gardens also contain the Museum of Vietnamese History and a beautiful tribute to the Vietnamese nationals killed during the First World War.

Green spaces aren't so easy to find amid Saigon's man-made glory. Nestled on the edge of District 1 and housing nearly 2,000 species of trees and 260 tropical plant varieties, the Botanic Gardens are also home to the eighth oldest zoo in the world. However, unless you're unfazed by propagating the zoo's medieval approach to animal care, avoid it.

Once a lush tropical oasis founded by the French, the gardens have become a favoured place for families, young lovers and budding horticulturists. Some of the specimens of flora and fauna are more than a century old, with rare species of cacti, orchid and bonsai the star attractions.