A young man poses for a photo with a meditating frog statue at the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tuoi Tre
The trend, which has surged in recent weeks, traces back to Vietnamese pop star Son Tung M-TP.
In October last year, the singer shared a series of playful photos taken during a stroll through the zoo, featuring the meditating frog and other stone animals.
What began as a lighthearted moment has since snowballed into a viral phenomenon.
The statues themselves are far from new.
The meditating frog, in particular, has been part of the zoo’s landscape for nearly two decades.
However, a recent TikTok clip, amassing more than 1.2 million views, captured long lines of young people patiently waiting their turn to snap photos, catapulting the sculpture into Internet fame.
Young people pose for photos with a meditating frog statue at the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tuoi Tre
For many visitors, the appeal lies in nostalgia.
Chau Dong, who traveled from Vung Tau, said he was inspired by videos circulating online.
“I saw a clip about these statues and decided to come here over the weekend to find them and take some photos,” he said.
“They may look simple, but they turn out really charming on camera and bring back childhood memories.”
Despite the heat, crowds showed a surprising level of patience.
Visitors queued for their turn, took quick photos, and moved aside to make room for others.
Ngoc Ngan, another visitor, emphasized the importance of respecting shared spaces.
“Trends are fun to follow, but awareness matters,” she said.
“These statues have been here for a long time. People shouldn’t climb on them just for photos in order not to damage them and create an unattractive image.”
The zoo’s management board has echoed those concerns.
In a recent post on its official Facebook page, administrators urged visitors not to climb on the sculptures, reminding them to maintain a sense of civility and ensure their own safety.
The newfound fame of these humble statues may draw larger crowds, but their preservation ultimately depends on the behavior of those who come to admire them.
A meditating frog statue attracts crowds of young people to the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tuoi Tre
Young people visit the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tuoi Tre
Young people pose for photos with animal statues at the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tuoi Tre
A girl poses for a photo with animal statues at the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tuoi Tre
Animal statues draw lots of young people to the zoo in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tuoi Tre
Chau Dong, 27, travels from Vung Tau to the zoo to take a photo with the meditating frog statue. Photo: Tuoi Tre
Young people are excited to take photos with animal statues at the zoo. Photo: Tuoi Tre
