According to the financial report for the first 6 months of the year, the Saigon Zoo Company sold nearly 994,700 tickets, a 13% increase compared to the same period last year. This figure represents 63% of the total visitors recorded for the entire previous year.

The night tour service, launched on 19/3, has sold over 1,000 tickets. The tour accommodates a maximum of 40 guests per tour, divided into two time slots on Saturday evenings. It focuses on observing the behavior of nocturnal animals, with special regulations in place to minimize disturbance to other species.

With nearly one million visitors, ticket sales generated almost 56.6 billion VND for the Saigon Zoo. They also earned revenue from other business segments, including food and beverages, games, daily car and motorbike parking fees, and train and tram rides.

Visitors participate in a birthday party and farewell for a retired tiger at the Saigon Zoo, 5/2025. Photo: Tran Quynh

Visitors participate in a birthday party and farewell for a retired tiger at the Saigon Zoo, 5/2025. Photo: Tran Quynh

In total, the Saigon Zoo recorded over 82 billion VND in revenue during the first 6 months, a nearly 13% increase compared to the same period last year. After deducting the cost of goods sold, their gross profit was over 23.5 billion VND. The company also earned over 402 million VND in financial activities.

The Saigon Zoo incurred no interest expenses and no sales expenses. Their only recurring expense was business management, totaling over 20 billion VND, a 26% increase.

Overall, the Saigon Zoo profited over 3.2 billion VND in the first half of the year. This represents a 32% decrease compared to the same period last year, but still surpasses the total annual profit from 2014-2022. The company's profit in the first half of last year was primarily driven by the first quarter, with only 0.3 billion VND profit in Quarter II. In contrast, the company still earned approximately one billion VND in Quarter II of this year.

As of the end of June, the company's total assets reached over 877 billion VND, primarily consisting of construction in progress and fixed assets. Liabilities totaled over 30 billion VND, mostly comprising payments due to employees, taxes, and other government dues.

The Saigon Zoo Company is wholly owned by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee (UBND). It operates the Saigon Zoo, located in Saigon ward (former District 1 center). Built in 1864, it was originally named the Botanical Garden and later became known as the Zoo. The over 160-year-old establishment serves as a conservation and breeding center for plants and animals.

Since 2015, the Saigon Zoo has been entirely financially independent, receiving no government subsidies.

At the end of last year, the former District 1 Tax Department (HCMC) issued a notice stating that the Saigon Zoo's tax debt as of 31/10 was over 846 billion VND, based on a total area of 158,117 m2. However, company management clarified that only 5,590 m2, or just over 3.5% of the total area, is used for commercial services. The remaining land houses animal enclosures, park landscapes, and public services, which are not for profit.

Subsequently, the HCMC People's Committee (UBND) adjusted the land allocation, assigning over 96% of the land designated for public purposes to the Saigon Zoo for management and use. The remaining land for commercial activities (parking lots, beverage stalls, food courts, game areas, and offices) will continue to be leased annually. Based on this, the tax authorities were instructed to recalculate the land rental fees for the company.

Tat Dat