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
The price is P7,314 per night from Sep 13 to Sep 14
P7,314
P8,294 total
Sep 13 - Sep 14
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! (1,379 reviews)
"Everything good"

Reviewed on Aug 17, 2025

Hotel Nikko Saigon
Hotel Majestic Saigon

Hotel Majestic Saigon

5 out of 5
01 Dong Khoi Street District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
The price is P6,006 per night from Aug 24 to Aug 25
P6,006
P6,810 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! (1,008 reviews)
"I loved this hotel. It’s built in the 1940’a and has old world charm with an updated amenities. My room was the executive site and it was like an apartment. Shopping was all around it and the staff were extremely attentive. I loved it here"

Reviewed on Aug 17, 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 P12,226 per night from Sep 19 to Sep 20
P12,226
P13,865 total
Sep 19 - Sep 20
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)
"Excellent"

Reviewed on Aug 12, 2025

The Reverie 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 P5,264 per night from Aug 26 to Aug 27
P5,264
P5,970 total
Aug 26 - Aug 27
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! (95 reviews)
"The hotel’s location is ideal, with attentive staff and a delicious breakfast."

Reviewed on Aug 19, 2025

GRAND HOTEL du LAC Boutique 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 P4,769 per night from Aug 21 to Aug 22
P4,769
P5,408 total
Aug 21 - Aug 22
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! (1,000 reviews)
"A lovely boutique hotel in the heart of Ho Chi Minh. Staff were very helpful and polite. Overall we had a great stay but a couple of things could be improved. The bathroom was a bit dated and our shower was partly broken and the taps could do with a descale. The pool was often very busy with limited ..."

Reviewed on Aug 18, 2025

Au Lac Charner Hotel
Caravelle Saigon

Caravelle Saigon

5 out of 5
19 - 23 Lam Son Square, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
The price is P7,751 per night from Sep 19 to Sep 20
P7,751
P8,789 total
Sep 19 - Sep 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. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,004 reviews)
"Stayed for 3 nights. Very beautiful hotel. Walkable to shopping area and conveniently at the central location to all tourist attractions. Staff were helpful and friendly. Will be back."

Reviewed on Aug 18, 2025

Caravelle Saigon
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