Saturday, January 02, 2021, 11:26 GMT+7 People visit the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, January 1, 2021. Photo: Chau Tuan / Tuoi Tre Despite higher ticket prices, people flocked to the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens (Thao Cam Vien) in Ho Chi Minh City on Friday, the first day of the ongoing three-day New Year holiday, in an effort to help the Vietnam’s oldest zoo raise ticket sales that have been hit severely by COVID-19. Starting January 1, ticket prices at the zoo, located in District 1, have been increased from VND30,000 (US$1.3) to VND40,000 ($1.7) apiece for visitors under 1.3m tall and from VND50,000 ($2.16) to VND60,000 ($2.6) apiece for those above that height.