After years of delay, construction of Saigon’s safari zone will finally begin later this year.
According to a recent report compiled by municipal authorities, VnExpress reports, the wildlife park project will commence its first stage this July. Real estate giant Vingroup is the main investor of the park after its initial developer, the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens Company, dropped out last May.
For its part, Vingroup also came up with a detailed proposal for the safari, which will include a golf course, a hotel and space for other outdoor activities.
Saigon authorities greenlit the Saigon Safari project 13 years ago and tasked the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens Company, the management company in charge of the city zoo, with its development. The decision was due to the firm’s knowledge in plant and animal care, along with its connection with other zoos around the world.
However, according to the report, more than a decade later, the project still hasn’t finished clearing its 485-hectare site, due to delay in compensation to residents living in the vicinity. Other reasons also include poor financial planning and difficulty attracting investors.
