Cholon

Ho Chi Minh City

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

Leave the crowds behind and immerse yourself in local culture at Cholon’s colorful 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 center. It is also possible to visit as part of a guided tour.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Cholon

Hotel Nikko Saigon

Hotel Nikko Saigon

5 out of 5
235 Nguyen Van Cu Street, District 1, Cau Ong Lanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P6,703 per night from Aug 30 to Aug 31
P6,703
P7,601 total
Aug 30 - Aug 31
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! (1,370 reviews)
"The customer service is outstanding"

Reviewed on Aug 6, 2025

Hotel Nikko Saigon
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
The price is P6,603 per night from Aug 19 to Aug 20
P6,603
P7,487 total
Aug 19 - Aug 20
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! (81 reviews)
"This place is a must go to hotel. I’ve heard some not so good stories of other places in HCMC, however I must say this hotel is truly a gem! Most places are boutique only in name. It is spotlessly clean here and the staff are ridiculously friendly and helpful. From the moment we checked in we were ..."

Reviewed on Aug 10, 2025

GRAND HOTEL du LAC Boutique Saigon
Hotel Majestic Saigon

Hotel Majestic Saigon

5 out of 5
01 Dong Khoi Street District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
The price is P6,025 per night from Aug 24 to Aug 25
P6,025
P6,832 total
Aug 24 - Aug 25
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 helpful staff and the property ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,001 reviews)
"Excellent. Never seen so many smilies when entering the hotel."

Reviewed on Aug 7, 2025

Hotel Majestic Saigon
The Reverie Saigon

The Reverie Saigon

5 out of 5
22 - 36 Nguyen Hue Boulevard, 57 - 69F Dong Khoi Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
The price is P12,271 per night from Sep 11 to Sep 12
P12,271
P13,916 total
Sep 11 - Sep 12
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 helpful staff and the property ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,000 reviews)
"Perfect. Newer hotel. Very clean. Phenomenal service. And smack dab in the middle of everything."

Reviewed on Aug 8, 2025

The Reverie Saigon
Hotel Grand Saigon

Hotel Grand Saigon

5 out of 5
8 Dong Khoi Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
The price is P6,968 per night from Sep 1 to Sep 2
P6,968
P7,901 total
Sep 1 - Sep 2
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 ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,006 reviews)
"We enjoyed the whole stay here and excellent rooftop restaurant and bar with grate staff"

Reviewed on Aug 11, 2025

Hotel Grand 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 P4,654 per night from Aug 26 to Aug 27
P4,654
P5,278 total
Aug 26 - Aug 27
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! (1,006 reviews)
"Lovely place, quite central for our needs. There was a damp smell in the room though, and the noise from other rooms using the bath was quite loud. Staff were lovely and incredibly helpful."

Reviewed on Aug 10, 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

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District 5

Travelers come to District 5 for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like An Dong Market and Hoa Binh Market while you're in town.

District 5
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District 10

District 10 is noteworthy for its restaurants, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Saigon South and Thong Nhat Stadium.

District 10
War Remnants Museum which includes interior views

District 3

Travelers come to District 3 for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like War Remnants Museum and Vinh Nghiem Pagoda while you're in town.

District 3
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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 showing interior views and art

Nguyen Thai Binh

While visiting Nguyen Thai Binh, you might make a stop by sights like Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts and Pham Ngu Lao Street.

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

Downtown Ho Chi Minh City

4/5(10 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