Cholon: Chinatown for Food and Culture

Cholon is Ho Chi Minh City’s old Chinatown, and it is best seen as a day trip. Go for the temples, the markets and the food, and then come back to a quieter base. It suits food lovers and culture seekers, especially Malaysian Chinese who will recognise a lot here.

What is Cholon?

Cholon sits in District 5, west of the centre. It grew as a Chinese trading district, and you can still read that history in the shop signs, clan halls and temples.

Streets are narrow, busy and full of small trades: herbal shops, dried goods, paper offerings and bakeries. It is less polished than the central sights, and that is the appeal.

What is there to see?

Plan around a few stops rather than a long list.

• Temples: Thien Hau Temple and Quan Am Pagoda, where incense coils hang from the ceiling, will feel familiar if you grew up with Chinese temples.
• Binh Tay Market: a large wholesale market where you can watch local trade, best in the morning.
• Clan halls and shophouses: decorated frontages that show the district’s Chinese roots.
• Food: dim sum, roast meats, noodles and sweet soups, taken a little at a time.

Wear light clothes, cover shoulders and knees in temples, and carry small notes for offerings and snacks.

How long should you give it?

A half-day is enough: one temple, one market and a meal. Add a second visit only if you want a slow, food-focused evening.

Heat builds by midday, so start early. Our guide to planning for heat and humidity has simple ways to pace a day.

How do you get there?

From District 1, take a Grab. Grab operates in Vietnam¹, and a car is easier than a bike for families and elders. Traffic slows at rush hour, so travel in the morning or mid-afternoon.

Ask the driver to drop you at your first stop and book the return ride when you finish, so you are not waiting on a hot street.

When should you go?

Ho Chi Minh City has a rainy season roughly May to November and a dry season December to April². Rain is short and heavy in the wet season. Carry a light rain jacket, and keep a temple porch or cafe in mind for shelter.

Should you stay in Cholon?

Most travellers do better staying in District 1 or District 3 and visiting Cholon for the day. Cholon has fewer tourist hotels, and the area is noisy and crowded.

If you want to wake up to market life, you can stay in a local hotel, but read reviews carefully and check street noise. See District 1 for a central base.

What about Muslim travellers and seniors?

Pork is part of everyday cooking in Cholon, and shared kitchens are common. Never assume a stall is halal: look for a displayed certificate and ask who issued it. Our guide for Muslim travellers explains the checks.

For seniors, plan short stops with a Grab at each end. Temples are calm and have seats, while markets are crowded and uneven underfoot.

When is another place a better choice?

If you prefer colonial buildings and museums, the central districts suit you better. For a deeper look at southern food, read South Vietnam for food lovers.

How does it fit a route?

Cholon works as a half-day in a two or three night stay in the city. See the Ho Chi Minh City guide for a wider plan, browse Cities and where to stay and price your days with the Vietnam trip budget builder.