Saigon Zoo & Botanical Gardens employees enjoy 43% jump in income

By Tat Dat July 21, 2024 | 11:59 pm PT

A zookeeper taking care of a hyena at the Saigon Zoo, September 2019. Photo by VnExpress/Thanh Nguyen

The average wage paid to workers at the Saigon Zoo & Botanical Gardens during the first six months was VND108 million (US$4,270), up 43% from a year ago.

This translates to VND18 million a month, according to the zoo operator's recent report.

The income boost follows a solid performance in the first half when it generated profits of VND4.7 billion, or 74% of its full-year target. It earned VND73.5 billion in revenues and sold 881,000 entry tickets, or 4,800 a day.

The zoo, wholly owned by HCMC, had 252 workers on its payroll at the end of last year. They have seen double-digit growth in earnings annually for the last four years.

During the Covid-19 lockdown, hundreds of employees voluntarily accepted a 30% pay cut to help the zoo feed its animals. Since 2015 the zoo has been operating without any financial support from the government.