Saigon Chinatown, District 5 of Ho Chi Minh City

Chinatown is a lively area in district 1 of Ho Chi Minh City. It’s a great place to visit to try delicious Chinese food, enjoy the local atmosphere, explore colorful temples and local markets.

I highly recommend visiting Chinatown if you’ve already seen the major sights in district 1 and 3. In this travel guide about Saigon Chinatown, I’ll show you the location of Chinatown, how to get there, things to do and where to stay in the Chinatown Ho Chi Minh City.

Where is Saigon Chinatown?

Saigon Chinatown, also known as Cho Lon, is part of district 5, located at the western end of district 1. District 5 covers an area of about 4 km width and 1 km length, spanning from Nguyen Van Cu Street to Nguyen Thi Nho street and from Nguyen Chi Thanh Street to Tau Hu canal.

Saigon Chinatown is around 4-5km from Bui Vien Walking street, which is one of the few central areas of district 1. The taxi ride is around 15-20 minutes depending on the traffic.

History of Chinatown Ho Chi Minh City

Many countries, including Australia, the USA, Thailand, and Malaysia, have areas known as Chinatown. Vietnam also has a Chinatown, which is located in Ho Chi Minh City. This is the biggest Chinatown in the country.

The history of Saigon Chinatown started from the 17th century when Chinese people, mainly Chaozhou and Fujianese, who did not follow the rule of the Qing dynasty, established a new life near the Ben Nghe and Tau Hu canals in southern Vietnam.

They founded a community called Minh Huong Village, and set up Tan Canh market, and then a bigger market called Cho Lon. The area later became one of the two busiest commercial hubs in southern Vietnam.

In the early 20th century, Binh Tay Market (New Cho Lon) was built by Chinese trader Quach Dam. During the French colonial period, the French destroyed Cho Lon to build a post office.

Binh Tay market still exists till today. Cho Lon no longer exists but it refers to an area around Ben Nghe and Tau Hu canal.

Cho Lon was merged with Saigon to become an area known as Saigon – Cho Lon in 1931 during French colonial rule. During the Vietnam- American war, it became a back market for American soldiers.

After reunification of Vietnam in 1975 and the invasion of China in north Vietnam in 1979, the government had a new policy for Chinese people that pushed a large number of Chinese people to leave Vietnam.

The policy changed in the late 20th century and the Chinese community in Cholon began to resume its role in the economy of Vietnam.

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Is Chinatown District 5 a good place to visit in Ho Chi Minh City?

Yes, it’s an excellent place to explore local life, visit colorful temples, guildhalls, historical attractions, bustling markets, and eat authentic Chinese food.

In my opinion, it’s well worth a visit if you have already explored all major sights in district 1 such as the War museum, Independence Palace, Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon, or Ben Thanh market.

You can take guided tours, food tours in Chinatown district 5. I prefer taking a Grab taxi from the city center to Chinatown and wandering around by myself. I wrote down a list of good places to eat and top attractions to see.

I recommend checking the Tiến Phát – Điểm tâm Hồng Kông for dimsum and many other Chinese restaurants in Chinatown.

About attractions, you can have a look at some centuries old temples and houses such as Thien Hau Pagoda, Quan Am Pagoda, or Nghia An Assembly Hall. You can just walk around the small alleys, admire unique houses, architecture, lantern-lined streets.

There are also many Chinese medicine shops on Hai Thuong Lan Ong street or you can check out the local markets such as Binh Tay Market or An Dong market. You can find bargain products in these places or just wander around to see local life.

Things to do on Chinatown Ho Chi Minh City

Thien Hau Pagoda

Thien Hau Pagoda is one of the most famous temples located in Saigon Chinatown. There are also many temples that have similar architecture and dating back to the area’s foundation, but I recommend visiting this one.

Built in 1760, the temple is located on Nguyen Trai Street and has beautiful architecture with tiled roofs, intricate details, red lanterns, and the peaceful smell of incense smoke. The temple is dedicated to Thien Hau, the Cantonese Chinese Sea Goddess.

The temple is open daily from 6.30am to 4.30pm and it’s free to visit. You can walk around, admire its beautiful architecture or light incense and pray.

Eat authentic Chinese food

In addition to its historic attractions, Saigon Chinatown is known for its authentic and delicious Chinese cuisine.

There are many famous restaurants in the area serving traditional Chinese food such as dimsum, dumplings, crab soup, braised duck noodles, Hainanese chicken rice, Chinese sweet soups, Char Siu Bao, Egg Custard Tarts, or roast duck.

I had good meals at Tiến Phát – Điểm tâm Hồng Kông and highly recommend it. The restaurant is clean, staff is friendly, and the food is good with an affordable price. You can try a variety of dimsum including steam and fried ones.

I recommend Steamed Rice Rolls, ha cao, and hu tieu. They also offer free hot tea. The restaurant is only open from 6.30am to 12.30pm, so make sure to check it out while you’re in the area in the morning.

Walk around Hai Thuong Lan Ong street

Hai Thuong Lan Ong street is 1km long street, stretching from Tau Hu Canal to Thang Long Park near Binh Tay market. The street is lined with Chinese herbal medicine shops, so you can walk around and have a look at these traditional medicine.

It’s just a couple of blocks away from historical pagodas and guildhalls such as Thien Hau Pagoda. You can combine visiting these places within a single trip.

Wandering small alleys

Chinatown is packed with small alleyways between Hai Thuong Lan Ong, Tran Hung Dao, and Nguyen Trai street. Places like Hao Sy Phuong alley are good places to visit to see old unique apartment buildings and experience local life.

Binh Tay Market

Binh Tay Market is the historic market built in the 1920s during the French colonial period. The market has a blend of French and Chinese architecture style. It’s a good place to visit to experience daily local life.

You might find something interesting at the market. It’s a huge market with clothes, hats, accessories, dry fruits, spices, daily essentials, herbs, and street food stalls.

The market is open daily from morning to late afternoon. It’s located in district 6 and you can visit for free. This is the wholesale market and most goods are sold in batches. This market has a more local atmosphere than the more tourist Ben Thanh market in district 1.

An Dong Market

An Dong Market is a popular air-conditioned indoor market located on An Duong Vuong Street in district 5. It’s a good option for wholesale shopping.

You can find cheaper clothing, souvenirs, shoes, fabrics, and jewelers than at Ben Thanh market. There is a food court at the market. Many sellers at An Dong market can speak Chinese.

Phu Hung Market

This is a small local market located on Phung Hung street in district 5. It’s a good place to experience local life and try some local street food.

Garden Mall

Garden Mall, formerly known as Thuan Kieu Plaza, is a modern shopping mall located on Hong Bang street, within easy walking distance from other popular sights in district 5 such as Thien Hau Pagoda, Quan Am pagoda, and Phung Hung Market. You can combine visiting these attractions in a single visit.

Quan Am Pagoda

Quan Am Pagoda, also known as The Temple of Compassion or On Lang’s Assembly Hall, is a Chinese temple located just two blocks away from Thien Hau pagoda. It’s a historical pagoda built 1740 by the Fujian community.

The temple has beautiful architecture of intricate sculptures and carvings from wood and stone. You can walk around, enjoy its serene atmosphere, or pray for prosperity, peace, and health.

Nghia An Assembly Hall

This is one of many Assembly Halls in Chinatown. It’s a beautiful place to visit, located very close to Ba Thien Hau pagoda. Like all historic buildings in Chinatown, this place has Chinese style architecture with dragon-adorned pillars, and very detailed wood carvings.

Cha Tam Church

St Francis Xavier Church, also known as Cha Tam church, is the historic church built in 1900, located on Hoc Lac street, at one end of Tran Hung Dao street.

The major event at the church happened in 1963 when the 1st President of the Republic of Vietnam at that time, Ngo Dinh Diem and his brother Ngo Dinh Nhu went to pray before being assassinated by the coup forces.

Where to stay in Chinatown District 5 Saigon?

District 5 is one of the several popular areas to stay in Ho Chi Minh City. While I often recommend visitors staying in District 1 and district 3 for their central locations, Chinatown- District 5 are good spots for those who want a local atmosphere and repeat travelers to Ho Chi Minh.

District 5 and Chinatown don’t have many accommodation options compared to district 1 and 3, but there are some small guest houses, homestays, and hotels for you to book your stay.

Here are some of the best hotels in Saigon Chinatown district 5:

Windsor Plaza Hotel

This 5-star luxury hotel is the only luxury hotel located in Cholon (Chinatown), right next to An Dong Shopping Centre. The hotel has spacious rooms and all facilities for a comfortable stay such as swimming pool, a gym, a rooftop bar, onsite restaurants, and spa services. Good base to explore the local and less touristy part of the city but full of historic and cultural attractions.

Nam Hy 1 Hotel

This 2-star hotel is a good budget hotel in district 5 of Saigon, short distance to the center area of Chinatown, An Dong mall, Hoa Binh market, and a range of restaurants. It offers clean and spacious rooms and friendly services.

Fortune 1127 – Central Hotel

This 2-star budget-friendly hotel is located on Tran Hung Dao street in district 5 of HCMC, which is a good base to explore Chinatown. You can walk to public transport, restaurants, cafes, laundry shops, and local supermarkets. They offer clean and well-equipped rooms with basic facilities for a comfortable stay.

Homestay 37 AD

This simple homestay is located in Chinatown of Ho Chi Minh City very close to public transport and a range of restaurants and cafes. The rooms are spacious and airy with lots of natural lights. The owner is friendly and willing to help with your transportation and travel questions.

Zazz Urban Ho Chi Minh

This is a good 4-star hotel located in the Saigon Cholon area, around a 15 minutes Grab Taxi ride to the city center such as Ben Thanh market, Bui Vien walking street, and Nguyen hue Walking street. The hotel offers lovely breakfast and comfy bedrooms.

Văn Hoa Hotel

This 2-star hotel is one of the many budget-friendly options in District 5 HCMC. It’s close to a range of shops, cafes, and eateries.

How to get to Chinatown Ho Chi Minh City?

Chinatown is located just 5km west of district 1, where most visitors stay. The most convenient way to get from district 1 to Saigon Chinatown is by taking ride share services such as Grab Bike or Grab Taxi.

It’s cheap (only around 50 thousand vnd) and you don’t need to bargain the price with the driver. If you want adventure, you can book a Grab Bike. If you are with a group of family or friends, it’s a better option to take a Grab taxi.