Dec - 26 - 2025
A true local favorite, Le Thi Rieng Cultural Park is a sprawling green oasis in Ho Chi Minh City, offering a perfect escape from the urban hustle. More than just a quiet space, this park is a vibrant hub of history, recreation, and entertainment, buzzing with energy from dawn until dusk. Discover why locals love it and plan your visit with GTrip, your trusted travel guide to Ho Chi Minh City.
Overview of Le Thi Rieng Cultural Park
- Address: 875 Cach Mang Thang 8 Street, Hoa Hung Ward (formerly Ward 15, District 10), Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening hours: 5:00 AM - 10:00 PM, daily
- Entrance fee: Free
- Best time to visit: Early morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday heat and enjoy the park when it’s most active with locals.
Stepping into Le Thi Rieng Cultural Park feels like entering a different side of Ho Chi Minh City. This expansive 20-hectare space is a cherished destination for residents looking to exercise, socialize, and relax. As a visitor, it provides a fantastic glimpse into daily local life, offering a blend of serene nature and lively attractions all in one place. Managed by the local government, it’s a well-maintained and safe environment for all to enjoy.
History of Le Thi Rieng Cultural Park
The Le Thi Rieng cultural park's grounds hold a significant place in the city's past. Before it became the green space we know today, this area was the Chi Hoa Cemetery, a major burial ground. In the 1980s, as part of a city-wide redevelopment project, the cemetery was relocated, and the land was transformed into a public park. This effort aimed to create a vital recreational area for the community and breathe new life into the district.
The park was named in honor of Le Thi Rieng, a heroic figure and female leader in the Vietnamese resistance against foreign forces. She was executed in 1968, and the park stands as a tribute to her sacrifice and patriotism. Today, it serves as both a memorial and a symbol of renewal, beautifully blending its historical roots with its modern purpose as a center for community and joy.
Le Thi Rieng Cultural Park was transformed into a vibrant public space as part of Saigon’s redevelopment efforts and named in honor of resistance heroine Le Thi Rieng
Top 8 things to do at Le Thi Rieng Cultural Park
These top activities will help you make the most of your time at Le Thi Rieng Cultural Park.
1. Explore important historical structures
While the park is primarily for recreation, it doesn't forget its past. Visitors can find the Le Thi Rieng Memorial House, a monument dedicated to a key figure of the Vietnamese Revolution. This structure serves as a quiet and respectful reminder of the park's namesake and the nation's history.
Walking through the park, you’ll also encounter other smaller monuments and plaques that hint at its past as the former Chi Hoa Cemetery. These historical elements offer a deeper context to your visit, allowing for a moment of reflection amidst the lively atmosphere and showcasing the park's unique blend of remembrance and recreation.
2. Enjoy the fresh green environment
One of the park's biggest draws is its lush, natural setting. It’s a true urban retreat, filled with towering, mature trees that provide ample shade and a cool respite from the sun. The park is designed around a large, scenic lake, where winding paths invite you for a leisurely stroll or a morning jog.
The atmosphere is tranquil, especially on weekday mornings. Locals practice tai chi, couples find quiet benches to chat, and the gentle rustling of leaves provides a peaceful soundtrack. It's the perfect place to bring a book, sit by the water, and simply recharge your batteries away from the city's chaotic energy.
One of Le Thi Rieng Park’s biggest attractions is its lush, tranquil landscape, featuring towering trees, a scenic lake, and peaceful pathways
3. Visit the water play area and swimming pool
To beat Ho Chi Minh City's tropical heat, head straight for the park's dedicated water play area. This section, which operates with its own entrance fee, features a large swimming pool and a separate kids' water park with slides, splash pads, and fountains. It's a fantastic and affordable way to cool down.
The area is well-maintained and supervised, making it a safe choice for families. While it can get busy on hot weekends, it's a guaranteed source of fun for kids and adults alike. Remember to bring your swimwear and a towel to make the most of this refreshing attraction within the park.
4. Experience fun recreational playgrounds
Beyond the organized amusement areas, Le Thi Rieng Cultural Park is dotted with numerous free public playgrounds. These spots are a magnet for local families, especially in the late afternoons and on weekends. Here, children can enjoy classic playground equipment like swings, slides, and climbing frames.
These recreational zones are simple but effective, offering wide-open spaces for kids to run, play, and make new friends. For traveling families, it's a wonderful opportunity for your children to interact with local kids in a fun, relaxed setting. The joyous sounds of children playing add to the park's lively and community-focused vibe.
Le Thi Rieng Cultural Park features several free public playgrounds where children can enjoy swings, slides, and climbing frames
5. Camp and relax at the park
While not a "wilderness camping" experience, Le Thi Rieng Cultural Park is one of the few places in the city where day camping and picnicking are extremely popular. On weekends, you’ll see local families and groups of friends setting up small tents, laying out blankets, and enjoying a full day of relaxation.
The areas around the lake and under large, shady trees are prime spots. People bring food, drinks, board games, and guitars, creating a wonderful, communal atmosphere. As a visitor, you can easily do the same. Grab some snacks from a nearby market, find a comfortable patch of grass, and spend a few hours soaking in the local culture.
6. Play at White Rabbit Playground
The Tho Trang Playground, or "White Rabbit Playground", is the park's main amusement zone and a highlight for thrill-seekers and families. This mini-carnival operates with a pay-per-ride system, allowing you to choose your own adventure. You'll find a lively atmosphere filled with colorful lights and upbeat music.
Rides range from gentle options for young children, like carousels and a Ferris wheel, to more exciting coasters and spinner rides for teens and adults. It also features classic carnival games where you can try your luck to win prizes. White Rabbit Playground is especially vibrant in the evening, making it a perfect spot for some after-dinner fun.
The Tho Trang Playground, also known as the "White Rabbit Playground", is the park’s main amusement area
7. Go fishing in Le Thi Rieng cultural park
The serene lake at the heart of the park isn't just for looking at, it's also a popular spot for casual fishing. You’ll often see patient anglers dotted along the lake's edge, relaxing in the shade with their lines in the water. It’s a quiet, meditative activity that offers a different pace from the park's more boisterous attractions.
This is a very local pastime, and you'll get a great sense of a typical HCMC hobby. While there aren't formal rental services, you're welcome to bring your own simple fishing gear to join in. The focus here is less on the catch and more on the peaceful experience of waiting by the water.
8. Savor the exciting food scene
No visit to a Vietnamese park is complete without indulging in the local food, and Le Thi Rieng is no exception. As evening approaches, the areas surrounding the park's entrances come alive with street food vendors. The air fills with the delicious aromas of grilled meats, sweet snacks, and other local delicacies.
You can find everything from banh trang nuong (grilled rice paper "pizza") and savory sausages to refreshing sugarcane juice and fruit smoothies. Grabbing a snack from one of these stalls is an essential part of the park experience. It's affordable, delicious, and the perfect way to cap off a day of exploration.
You can drink fruit smoothies to refresh after exploring Le Thi Rieng Cultural Park
How to get to Le Thi Rieng Cultural Park
Getting to Le Thi Rieng Cultural Park is straightforward, as it's located on a major city street. Here are the best ways to get there:
- Taxi or ride-hailing app: The easiest and most convenient option. Use Grab or XanhSM for a car or motorbike taxi that will drop you right at the entrance. Just type "Cong vien Le Thi Rieng" into the app.
- Bus: The most budget-friendly method. Several public bus routes stop near the park, including lines 13, 30, 65, and 103. Use a mapping app to find the best route from your location.
- Motorbike: If you're comfortable driving in city traffic, a motorbike is a flexible way to visit. There are designated parking areas at the park where you can safely leave your bike for a small fee.
Tourist attractions near Le Thi Rieng Cultural Park
Extend your day of exploration by visiting these fascinating attractions located just a short distance from the park:
- Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine (Fito Museum): Located about 1.6 km away, this stunning museum is a must-see. It's housed in a building of incredible traditional architecture and showcases the fascinating history of Vietnamese medicine through thousands of artifacts.
- Hoang Van Thu Park: Just 2.3 km from Le Thi Rieng, this is another of the city's largest parks. It's known for its beautiful landscaping, peaceful walking trails, and proximity to Tan Son Nhat International Airport, making it a great spot for a quiet walk.
- Ho Thi Ky Flower Market: Approximately 3 km away, this is the city's largest wholesale flower market. It’s a chaotic, colorful, and wonderfully fragrant experience, especially in the early morning or evening. It’s a sensory overload in the best possible way.
A nearby park that you can visit is Hoang Van Thu Park
Practical tips for visiting Le Thi Rieng Cultural Park
To make your visit as enjoyable as possible, keep these simple tips in mind from us at GTrip:
- Wear comfortable shoes: The park is large, and you’ll be doing a lot of walking to see everything.
- Stay hydrated: Ho Chi Minh City is hot and humid. Bring a bottle of water, or buy drinks from the many vendors inside and around the park.
- Carry small cash: While ride-hailing apps are digital, many food vendors and parking attendants only accept cash.
- Protect yourself from the sun: If visiting during the day, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are essential.
- Visit on a weekday for quiet: For a more peaceful experience, visit on a weekday morning. For a livelier, more vibrant atmosphere, visit on a weekend evening.
Remember the above simple tips to have a good visit to Le Thi Rieng Cultural Park
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Le Thi Rieng Cultural Park perfectly captures the essence of Ho Chi Minh City - a place where the past and present harmoniously meet. This park offers a genuine slice of Saigon life that few tourist spots can match. For more travel inspiration and detailed guides to Vietnam’s must-visit destinations, explore more articles from GTrip, your trusted companion for discovering the heart of Vietnam.
