Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City have announced that Vinpearl JSC, a subsidiary of Vietnamese realty conglomerate Vingroup, are the chosen investor in the Saigon Safari Park project.

Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong has approved the proposal to award Vinpearl the Saigon Safari Park project in Cu Chi District.   

The company is required to establish plans and a schedule in accordance with regulations and submit reports on the project's progress to the committee.

Several alterations to the original design have been made by the investor, including reducing the area for golf courses and accommodation, expanding the scale of animal habitat, and opening additional entertainment, sports and outdoor activities, among others.

The People's Committee has asked Vinpearl to present more resolutions with detailed plans, which will all be discussed by relevant agencies.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Planning and Architecture was in charge of inspecting the design and plans and is set to present the final conclusion to the committee by June.

Meanwhile, the municipal Department of Planning and Investment, in coordination with relevant agencies and units, shall assist the investor in the completion of necessary paperwork and procedures in order to begin the project.

As one of Ho Chi Minh City’s large-scale projects, the Saigon Safari Park was initiated in 2004.

However, for various reasons, including problems with housing relocation, the construction was delayed, resulting in wastefulness and increased public concern.

Authorities in the Ho Chi Minh City have since carried out measures to expedite the process as the project is expected to attract more visitors to the metropolis as well as meeting the entertainment demands of local residents.

Vingroup is currently operating the Vinpearl Safari on Phuc Quoc Island off the southern province of Kien Giang, which opened in December last year as Vietnam’s first ever semi-wildlife park.