The three-day conference is attended by nearly 200 delegates, most of whom are presidents, directors, veterinarians and technicians from zoos in 27 countries and territories. They will deliver reports on animal husbandry and zoo medicine, marketing and fund raising, education and conservation, zoo design, environmental enrichment and animal welfare and ethics.

Addressing the conference, Nguyen Van Dua, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, said that Vietnam has paid much attention to investment in wildlife protection and it has so far planned and built 87 national parks, sanctuaries, and historical and cultural sites on a total area of 1 million hectares.

At present, HCM City is carrying out a project to build a 485-ha fauna and flora reserve in Cu Chi district, 60 km from the city's centre.

This is the second time HCM City has hosted the SEAZA Annual Conference.