Cholon

Ho Chi Minh City

Cholon which includes a temple or place of worship
Cholon which includes markets, food and shopping
Cholon featuring a garden and a fountain
Cholon showing shopping and markets
Cholon which includes a temple or place of worship

A hiding place for Chinese minorities during the 18th and 19th centuries, Ho Chi Minh City’s Chinatown is now a thriving hub of markets and pretty temples.

Hunt for bargains and purchase traditional Chinese food at the crowded covered markets of Cholon. Relax in hidden cafés and restaurants and explore the area’s colourful temples and stylish Chinese architecture.

Constructed in the late 1700s, Cholon was once a separate entity to the city of Saigon to the north. As Saigon grew, Cholon gradually became incorporated into its boundaries and is now Ho Chi Minh City’s largest Chinatown. Look for relics of the area’s illicit past. During the war, some American soldiers used Cholon as a black market to buy and sell military supplies.

Cholon literally translates as “big market.” Its main retail hub is undoubtedly An Dong Market. Look for this building near the intersection of Tran Phu and An Duong Vuong Streets. Spread across its four floors, vendors sell designer clothing and shoes as well as electronic goods and home appliances. If you are feeling hungry, start at the ground floor to find an extensive range of food outlets. Try banh bao, a type of Chinese dumpling, or banh cuon, a spongy spring roll that is usually served with bread and meat.

Once you have eaten, make your way to Binh Tay Market, which stretches between Thap Muoi and Phan Van Khoe Streets. Here local people come to get cooking ingredients such as rice, meat and vegetables. You will also find tables packed with handmade clothes and jewellery.

Leave the crowds behind and immerse yourself in local culture at Cholon’s colourful temples. Thien Hau and Quan Am Temple are both a short stroll from the markets and feature exquisite flowing roofs, hanging lanterns and golden Buddha statues. Red decorations show the Chinese influence on these structures.

Cholon makes up the District Five area of the city on the banks of the Saigon River. Use public buses which run here from the city centre. It is also possible to visit as part of a guided tour.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Cholon

GRAND HOTEL du LAC Boutique Saigon
GRAND HOTEL du LAC Boutique Saigon
5 out of 5
40 - 42 Phan Boi Chau, Ben Thanh ward,D1, Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh
The price is S$156 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
S$156
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Popular attractions Ben Thanh Market and Bui Vien ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (41 reviews)
"Lovely place to stay, would happily return. Spa and gym weren’t available during our stay unfortunately"

Reviewed on 5 Jul, 2025

GRAND HOTEL du LAC Boutique Saigon
New World Saigon Hotel
New World Saigon Hotel
5 out of 5
76 Le Lai Street, District 1, Ben Thanh, Ho Chi Minh City
The price is S$202 per night from 11 Jul to 12 Jul
S$202
11 Jul - 12 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)
"The staff are excellent"

Reviewed on 22 Jun, 2025

New World Saigon Hotel
Hotel Grand Saigon
Hotel Grand Saigon
5 out of 5
8 Dong Khoi Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
The price is S$125 per night from 13 Jul to 14 Jul
S$125
13 Jul - 14 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,006 reviews)
"A nice and good hotel,plenty of good breakfast options and the pool was nice. I stayed in room 1003 and can't remember the cleaner but she was great,pleasant and and did a good work."

Reviewed on 7 Jul, 2025

Hotel Grand Saigon
Sherwood Residence
Sherwood Residence
5 out of 5
127 Pasteur Street, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
The price is S$107 per night from 16 Jul to 17 Jul
S$107
16 Jul - 17 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Ho Chi Minh City. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,320 reviews)
"The hotel was very nice and spacious with good service and attentive staff. It’s located in a nice area within walking distance to restaurants and grocery store. Would definitely stay in this hotel again."

Reviewed on 1 Jul, 2025

Sherwood Residence
Hotel Nikko Saigon
Hotel Nikko Saigon
5 out of 5
235 Nguyen Van Cu Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
The price is S$168 per night from 19 Jul to 20 Jul
S$168
19 Jul - 20 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,331 reviews)
Excellent
"Room is clean, spacious and comfortable. Very good breakfast spread."

Reviewed on 2 Jul, 2025

Hotel Nikko Saigon
Au Lac Charner Hotel
Au Lac Charner Hotel
4 out of 5
87-89-91 Ho Tung Mau Street, Ben Nghe Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
The price is S$91 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
S$91
20 Jul - 21 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. Enjoy a full-service spa, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,002 reviews)
"Just brilliant. Highly recommend"

Reviewed on 2 Jul, 2025

Au Lac Charner Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Cholon

Default Image

District 5

District 5 is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by An Dong Market and Hoa Binh Market while in the area.

District 5
Default Image

District 10

District 10 is noteworthy for its restaurants, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Saigon South and Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine.

District 10
War Remnants Museum which includes interior views

District 3

District 3 is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to War Remnants Museum or Vinh Nghiem Pagoda.

District 3
Default Image

Ben Thanh

If you're spending some time in Ben Thanh, Ben Thanh Market and Benthanh Street Food Market are top sights worth seeing.

Ben Thanh
Museum of Fine Arts featuring art and interior views

Nguyen Thai Binh

5/5(2 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Nguyen Thai Binh, Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts and Pham Ngu Lao Street are top sights worth seeing.

Nguyen Thai Binh
Ben Thanh Market featuring shopping, night scenes and markets

Downtown Ho Chi Minh City

4/5(153 area reviews)

The fantastic nightlife and popular shops are just a few highlights of Downtown Ho Chi Minh City. Make a stop by Ben Thanh Market or Bui Vien Walking Street while you're exploring the area.

Downtown Ho Chi Minh City

Cholon