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

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 P6,758 per night from Aug 24 to Aug 25
P6,758
P7,663 total
Aug 24 - Aug 25
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! (69 reviews)
"They are nice and friendly staff especially mary was helping me for make reservations thank you i will be back again"

Reviewed on Jul 30, 2025

GRAND HOTEL du LAC Boutique Saigon
Hotel Nikko Saigon

Hotel Nikko Saigon

5 out of 5
235 Nguyen Van Cu Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
The price is P7,485 per night from Aug 3 to Aug 4
P7,485
P8,487 total
Aug 3 - Aug 4
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! (1,363 reviews)
"good"

Reviewed on Jul 30, 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 P6,189 per night from Aug 3 to Aug 4
P6,189
P7,019 total
Aug 3 - Aug 4
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! (1,002 reviews)
Nice ambience
"An old hotel with a nice sense of slightly faded grandeur. Staff were friendly and helpful. Rooms are large with everything you need. A lovely pool area, gym and shower room which you can continue to use after checkout which is very helpful for an evening flight."

Reviewed on Jul 27, 2025

Hotel Majestic Saigon
Hotel Grand Saigon

Hotel Grand Saigon

5 out of 5
8 Dong Khoi Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
The price is P6,718 per night from Sep 1 to Sep 2
P6,718
P7,618 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! (1,014 reviews)
"Excellent service and friendly staff"

Reviewed on Jul 28, 2025

Hotel Grand Saigon
Sherwood Residence

Sherwood Residence

5 out of 5
127 Pasteur Street, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
The price is P5,382 per night from Aug 11 to Aug 12
P5,382
P6,104 total
Aug 11 - Aug 12
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! (1,356 reviews)
"I never expect an apartment hotel to be maintain so good. Will recommend and stay next time when come with family again!"

Reviewed on Jul 29, 2025

Sherwood Residence
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 P7,987 per night from Aug 2 to Aug 3
P7,987
P9,143 total
Aug 2 - Aug 3
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)
""I'm extremely satisfied with everything. The breakfast service is great, and the nearby amenities are within walking distance, eliminating the need for a car. It seems like everything we need is conveniently located nearby. The neighborhood is bustling, and overall."

Reviewed on Jul 28, 2025

New World Saigon 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 Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine.

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