(Ho Chi Minh City) Cho Lon

Overview of Cho Lon Saigon

If you want to see a different side of Ho Chi Minh City, head west to Cho Lon Saigon — the city’s historic Chinatown and one of the most atmospheric districts in Vietnam. The name “Cho Lon” literally means “Big Market,” and it still feels that way today: wholesalers unloading before sunrise, red-and-gold shopfronts, incense drifting from old temples, and family eateries that have served the same signature dishes for decades. Unlike the polished center of District 1, Cho Lon is where everyday life hums along on its own rhythm.

For travelers, this area offers culture, food, and street life in equal measure. The neighborhood spans mainly District 5 (with parts of District 6 nearby) and has long been home to Chinese–Vietnamese communities — Cantonese, Teochew, Hokkien, and Hainanese — who built temples, assembly halls, guilds, and businesses here. You’ll find them not as staged attractions but as living spaces with real worship, real trade, and real flavors. Add Cho Lon Market (often used to refer to the greater area as well as specific markets), photogenic alleyways, and classic shop-houses, and you get a Saigon experience that’s vivid, local, and deeply rooted.

Plan to visit in the morning when the wholesale scene is in full swing. If you’re assembling a city itinerary, pairing Cho Lon with central highlights like Ben Thanh Market or the Central Post Office gives you a well-rounded feel for Ho Chi Minh City. This guide keeps things practical and traveler-focused, with simple routes, realistic timing, and ideas that make it easy to turn a wander through Saigon Cho Lon into a memorable day.

How to Get to Cho Lon in Ho Chi Minh City

Private Vehicle (Motorbike/Car)

From District 1, it’s usually a 20–30 minute ride outside peak hours. The straightforward approach is via Nguyen Trai Street into District 5, then along Hong Bang or Hau Giang depending on your first stop (Binh Tay Market is a handy anchor). If you’re comfortable on a motorbike, this is the most flexible option; just remember that streets can be one-way and narrow. Parking (giữ xe) is easy to find around markets and temples for a small fee — carry small notes.

Driving yourself? Aim to arrive before 10:00 am when traffic and temperatures are milder. Save your passport in the hotel safe and keep a digital copy on your phone. Avoid leaving anything on the bike and use well-lit, attended lots. A navigation app helps with lane turns and one-way segments typical of District 5.

Bus

City buses are inexpensive and run frequently between the center and Cho Lon Market (Binh Tay area and the Cho Lon Bus Station). Timetables can change, so check live departures on BusMap or use Google Maps to plan connections. Expect simple, no-frills rides and pay in small cash. Buses suit travelers light on luggage who want an authentic, local commute into the district.

Practical tip: Set Binh Tay Market as your first stop — it’s a transport hub with straightforward walking access to nearby streets. From there, you can grab a short ride to headline temples if the heat ramps up.

Taxi or Ride-Hailing such as Grab, XanhSM

For a first visit, this is the easiest and most time-efficient choice. You can hail a metered taxi or book via Grab; the electric car option from XanhSM is comfortable and eco-friendly. Rides are affordable for point-to-point hops between Binh Tay Market, key temples, and the herbal medicine street. Late afternoons bring school traffic to District 5; allow extra time for pickups after 4:00 pm.

Highlights in Cho Lon

Binh Tay Market

Anchoring Cholon Vietnam, Binh Tay Market blends handsome architecture with a truly working-market feel. Expect a central courtyard, arched walkways, and a clock tower above a warren of wholesalers. Inside and around the complex, you’ll find textiles, cookware, snacks, tea, dried mushrooms, and regional noodles. This isn’t a souvenir theater — vendors are here to do business — which is exactly what makes it fascinating for visitors.

Arrive early to catch the energy at its peak and to beat the midday heat. Bring cash and keep small bills handy; most stalls don’t accept cards. If it gets crowded, step into the courtyard or circle the outer streets where small cafés and breakfast spots buzz with locals. If you plan to shop, consider what you can actually pack — light snacks and tea are easier wins than bulky goods.

Temples and Assembly Halls

Cho Lon’s spiritual backbone runs through its temples and guild halls. The best-known is Thien Hau Temple (Ba Thien Hau), dedicated to the sea goddess and famous for photogenic incense coils and intricate roof carvings depicting scenes from Chinese legends. Other important sites include Quan Am Pagoda and Ong Bon Temple (Nhi Phu). Each reflects a community story — Cantonese, Teochew, Hokkien — woven into daily life rather than staged for visitors.

Etiquette is simple and appreciated: cover shoulders and knees; move slowly around altars; avoid flash; and ask before photographing worshippers. Mornings are quieter, with soft light in courtyards. If you’re curious about specific deities or symbols, caretakers often share short explanations when not busy with offerings.

Signature Food

Food is the easiest way to fall in love with Cho Lon Saigon. Expect Cantonese and Teochew flavors alongside Vietnamese staples: baskets of dim sum (steamed or fried), wonton soups, egg noodles topped with roasted duck or char siu, clay-pot dishes, and cooling herbal desserts that hit the spot after a hot walk. Breakfast near Binh Tay is lively and affordable; lunch is hearty; evenings are gentler with dessert shops and tea houses opening up.

A simple, no-stress plan: start with a light breakfast by the market, visit one or two temples late morning, then sit down for roasted-meat noodles or a rice plate. If you’re short on time or traveling with kids, a guided food walk in District 5 helps with ordering, portions, and pacing — you’ll try more, without the guesswork.

For a seamless day, you can fold these stops into one of our Saigon tour 1 day and leave logistics to a local specialist.

Hai Thuong Lan Ong Traditional Medicine Street

This aromatic street is the sensory highlight of Cholon Market Ho Chi Minh area. Shops stack drawers of roots, bark, and dried flowers; brass scales and sieves sit next to handwritten prescriptions. The experience is more about culture than shopping: watch the weighing and blending, read labels, and ask (politely) about common remedies. Staff are usually happy to explain the basics when not serving regular customers.

Do keep it responsible: consult a licensed professional before consuming remedies, and check customs rules if you plan to carry anything onward. If you want a quick primer before visiting, mainstream travel resources offer short overviews of the street and its role in District 5 — helpful context so the sights and smells make more sense when you arrive.

Visiting Tips for Cho Lon

Go early and keep plans flexible. The area feels most alive in the morning. Sketch a simple route — Binh Tay Market → one or two temples → Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street — and leave time to wander side alleys where the best photos and food surprises often are.

Beat the heat. Shade is limited on wider streets. Carry water, wear light clothing, and consider short taxi or ride-hailing hops between stops instead of long midday walks. If rain rolls in, covered arcades around the market offer quick shelter.

Dress and behave respectfully in temples. Covered shoulders and knees, quiet voices, and no flash. Step aside for offerings and avoid crossing directly in front of worshippers. If you’re invited to burn incense, follow the lead of locals.

Cash still rules. Most small vendors are cash-only. Keep valuables secure and in front of you in busy aisles. Avoid handling your phone for long stretches on curbside traffic edges.

Check practical details. Many sections of the market start early and wind down by late afternoon, but exact hours vary. If you’re timing a temple visit for photos, mornings are best. To plan bus routes, use BusMap; for cars, book via Grab or XanhSM and set Binh Tay Market or Thien Hau Temple as pin-drop anchors.

Combine with downtown highlights. Cho Lon pairs well with Ben Thanh Market, the Central Post Office, and a sunset river cruise, giving you both the classic postcard Saigon and the lived-in Chinatown.

Keywords you might search for. Travelers often look up terms like “Cho Lon Vietnam,” “Cholon Vietnam,” “Cho Lon Market,” or simply “Cho Lon.” If that’s you: yes — it’s the same place as Cho Lon Saigon, and it’s absolutely worth the detour.