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
The price is P5,279 per night from Aug 18 to Aug 19
P5,279
P5,987 total
Aug 18 - Aug 19
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! (73 reviews)
"Excellent service from all staff at the hotel from start to finish. Highly recommended"

Reviewed on Aug 4, 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
Fully refundable
The price is P6,061 per night from Aug 29 to Aug 30
P6,061
P6,873 total
Aug 29 - Aug 30
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)
"Hotel is 100 year old so certain things like size and structure are not what you would expect from a 5 star hotel. However, the staff and service is amazing. The hotel itself is beautiful. Breakfast has a lot of variety and very tasty."

Reviewed on Aug 3, 2025

Hotel Majestic Saigon
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 P7,930 per night from Aug 9 to Aug 10
P7,930
P8,993 total
Aug 9 - Aug 10
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! (1,369 reviews)
"Everything good"

Reviewed on Aug 1, 2025

Hotel Nikko 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 P12,356 per night from Sep 4 to Sep 5
P12,356
P14,012 total
Sep 4 - Sep 5
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)
"Great facility and service. Thank you!"

Reviewed on Jul 27, 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 P6,609 per night from Sep 1 to Sep 2
P6,609
P7,495 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! (1,005 reviews)
Grand Saigon Stay
"Two day stop in Saigon. The hotels was modern, spacious and comfortable. The rooms had the highest bed I have ever seen!!! Shower could have been bigger. But bathrooms were clean and well appointed."

Reviewed on Aug 5, 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 P4,686 per night from Aug 8 to Aug 9
P4,686
P5,314 total
Aug 8 - Aug 9
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! (1,009 reviews)
"Great welcome, large room. Lovely breakfast and pleasant pool area with great views. Very central."

Reviewed on Jul 27, 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