District 5 (Cholon)
The Traditionalist
"Wise, layered, and deeply rooted. District 5 is the elder who's seen it all—waves of migration, wars, boom times, and transformations—yet holds tight to tradition. It honors the past while living fully in the present, where incense smoke curls through ancient temples and business is conducted in three languages."
Cholon—which means 'Big Market'—is Vietnam's only Chinatown, and it's magnificent. This is where Chinese traders settled in the 18th century, bringing with them temples, traditions, and a business acumen that still drives the district today.
The temples here aren't tourist attractions; they're living, breathing spiritual centers. Thien Hau Pagoda, dedicated to the goddess of the sea, fills with worshippers daily—the air thick with incense, the altars heavy with offerings. Quan Am Pagoda's courtyard features ceramic sculptures telling ancient stories, each figure hand-crafted generations ago.
Binh Tay Market is the heart of it all. Unlike Ben Thanh's tourist focus, Binh Tay serves locals—wholesalers haggling over fabric, merchants buying rice in 50-kilo bags, and families shopping for the week's groceries. The architecture is stunning: yellow walls, green-tiled roofs, and a central courtyard that feels transported from 1920s Guangzhou.
The food scene here is a glorious fusion. Dim sum spots serve shrimp dumplings and char siu bao. Hu tieu (rice noodle soup) arrives in bowls that blend Chinese technique with Vietnamese herbs. Walking these streets, you'll hear Vietnamese, Cantonese, and Mandarin mixing in the humid air—a linguistic symphony unique to Cholon.
Neighborhoods
Cho Lon Market area
Commercial heart around Binh Tay Market
Busy, Wholesale, Authentic
Tran Hung Dao corridor
Temple row with multiple historic pagodas
Spiritual, Historic, Peaceful
Nguyen Trai Street
Traditional medicine shops and herb vendors
Traditional, Medicinal, Aromatic
Famous For
- •Binh Tay Market
- •Thien Hau Pagoda
- •Quan Am Pagoda
- •Dim sum restaurants
- •Traditional Chinese medicine shops
- •Cha Ca La Vong street food
Hidden Gems
Early morning at Binh Tay Market
Watch the city's commerce come alive at 5 AM
💡 Bring a camera and patience—this is wholesale chaos at its finest
Traditional medicine shops on Luong Nhu Hoc
Centuries-old remedies and fascinating conversations
💡 Ask questions—shopkeepers love sharing their knowledge
Cantonese dim sum spots
Family-run restaurants where recipes haven't changed in decades
💡 Point at what looks good—menus are often Chinese-only
When to Visit
Early morning (5-9 AM) for markets and temples at their most active. Weekends are busiest. Avoid midday heat. Late afternoon (3-6 PM) is perfect for temple visits when light slants through courtyards.
Getting There
West of District 1, along the Saigon River. About 15-20 minutes by Grab from central District 1. Bus 1 also runs here from Ben Thanh.
Local Saying
Chợ Lớn - nơi hội tụ văn hóa
Chur Lun - noy hoy too van hoh-a
"Cholon - where cultures converge"
Celebrating the Chinese-Vietnamese cultural blend
Did You Know?
Cholon was originally a separate city before being incorporated into Saigon
The district is home to Vietnam's largest ethnic Chinese population
Many buildings date back to the French colonial era with Chinese architectural elements
Binh Tay Market's architecture was designed by French architect Porthault in the 1920s
During the Vietnam War, Cholon was known for its black market trading