My last visit to Thảo Cầm Viên (Saigon Zoo & Botanical Gardens) was when I was around 10 or 11 years old. I don’t remember much from that time, just that we walked around the zoo, and my mom bought us ice-cream. This time, I’m back at the zoo on my own, doing the same activities but with a much more curious mind, and eager to connect with nature.
I came up with a few ideas while spending time at the zoo, and I think they could turn into a really fun personal project to dive into.
I’ve never been great at spotting animals, trees, or plants. I tried reading the information signs, but it was still a bit tricky to understand. So, I pulled out my phone and Googled a few things. That’s when I remembered there are apps that can identify plants and even tell you how healthy they are just by taking a photo. Some even give tips on how to take care of them!
Then, I thought… What if these signs could be digitalized? The information could be more fun and interactive! Instead of just reading static signs, visitors could use their phones or devices to watch videos and learn cool facts.
I visited the zoo on a weekday, so it wasn’t very busy, but there were some preschool groups with their teachers, learning about the animals’ habits and habitats. I also saw primary school students exploring different ecosystems and animal environments.
Then, I thought… What if there was an interactive encyclopedia for the zoo? A place where students and teachers could learn about the animals and nature, then take a fun quiz afterward. Those who finish the quiz could earn a reward from the zoo maybe?
A few months later, I joined my sister and her twins to spend some family time together. The zoo was pretty big, so we looked at the zoo map and took the kids to see their favorite animals. We read the signs and explained the animals in a simple way, then took photos so the kids could show and talk about them with their grandparents when they got home.
Then, I thought… What if there was an app that lets kids follow all the lively creatures and plants in the zoo? They could “feed” and “watch” their favorite animals or plants grow every day. It would be like a simulator game, but with real life!
This time, we went on the weekend, so I had a chance to watch other families enjoying their time too. They were doing similar things to us, but with kids of different ages. It was interesting to hear how the conversations about the animals changed depending on the age of the kids.
Then, I thought… What if there was an app with activities that help parents and kids bond together? An app that enhance the zoo experience for families. It could be designed to provide both educational and fun activities for different age groups, while encouraging family interaction.
I saw the zookeepers and wildlife staff working hard to ensure everything was running smoothly for the visitors. A few months ago, I also heard that Sai Gon Zoo had asked for financial support to help take care of the animals. These essential costs need to be covered to keep the animals happy and healthy while maintaining the zoo’s operations.
Then, I thought… What if there was an app could help raise funds for the zoo? It could support the zoo in taking care of the animals and plants. It’d be a fun, interactive way for people to connect with nature and contribute to the zoo’s efforts.
