At risk of ceasing operations due to land rent debt of hundreds of billions of dong, what does Saigon Zoo say?

Facing the risk of having to pay back nearly 800 billion VND in land rental debt, Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden is at risk of having to stop operating due to lack of funds.

People come to have fun at Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden - Photo: LE PHAN

Speaking with Tuoi Tre Online on the morning of December 10, Ms. Vu Thi Huong Giang - director of Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden, said that the unit is very worried about the above problem.

Originally a "non-profit" enterprise, its main function is to manage a 160-year-old zoo, taking care of many rare animals and plants, "the unit is facing a difficult story about its function.

The reason is that the enterprise is not a business and the conservation unit is not either. We do not operate for profit but paying more than a hundred billion dong in land tax each year is very difficult," said Ms. Giang.

Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden is a place to preserve more than 2,000 animals and 900 plant species. This place is associated with many generations of Ho Chi Minh City residents - Photo: PHUONG QUYEN

Explaining more clearly about the tax debt, Ms. Giang said that in 2014, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee signed a decision to lease land with an area of ^{​​158,117m2} for public use under an annual payment regime, for a period of 50 years.

District 1 Tax Department has announced the land tax on the entire above area, the total amount per year is 163.3 billion VND.

However, the commercial area only occupies a very small area (about ^5,600m2 ) and Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden has paid the annual fee. The remaining area is completely used for conservation work.

With such a tax rate, ticket prices will increase dramatically, affecting people who come to visit. At the same time, the funding for care, nurturing, and conservation of animals and plants will also be gone. Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens will be at risk of ceasing operations.

Ms. Giang added that recently, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee also chaired a meeting with related units to remove obstacles for the unit. Currently, Saigon Zoo is waiting for the conclusion of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee.

However, the most fundamental thing is to adjust the land lease decision to solve the root of the problem.

Will Saigon Zoo stop operating if it has to collect hundreds of billions of dong in land rent tax arrears? - Video: LE PHAN

Saigon Zoo is one of the eight oldest zoos in the world.

Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden was built in 1864 (today 160 years old). This is one of the 8 oldest zoos in the world.

Up to now, Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden is raising more than 2,000 animals of 135 species, including many rare species, such as crested pheasants, douc langurs, yellow-cheeked gibbons, golden deer, leopards, clouded leopards...

There are also more than 2,500 trees with more than 900 preserved plant species.

In recent years, this unit has also welcomed good news when rare wild animals are able to reproduce in captivity such as tigers, hippos...

Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden was originally established to raise public awareness and serve as a research site for scientists.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nguy-co-ngung-hoat-dong-vi-no-tien-thue-dat-hang-tram-ti-dong-thao-cam-vien-sai-gon-noi-gi-20241210093522728.htm