Step off the tourist trail and explore the heart of Saigon’s historic Chinatown (Chợ Lớn) on the back of a scooter with a knowledgeable local guide. This immersive daytime experience takes you through Districts 5, 11, and 3, where Chinese and Vietnamese cultures blend through temples, markets, churches, hidden alleys, and everyday street life.
As you ride through lively streets and quiet corners, your guide will share fascinating stories about local beliefs, daily lifestyles, historical events, and fun cultural facts that help you truly understand how Chinatown has shaped Saigon over centuries. This tour is not just sightseeing — it’s about seeing the city through local eyes.
Tour Highlights
Stop 1: Ông Bổn Pagoda
Visit one of Chinatown’s most important temples, dedicated to Ông Bổn — the protector deity of the Chinese community. Witness the traditional furnace where locals burn paper money as offerings, believing it brings wealth and good fortune for the coming year.
Stop 2: Phùng Hưng Food Market
Explore a local market that transforms throughout the day. Known for wholesale produce in the morning, it becomes a vibrant street food hub in the afternoon. Enjoy a local Chinatown specialty and experience authentic Chinese-Vietnamese flavors loved by locals.
Stop 3: Đồng Khánh Market
Step into one of Saigon’s oldest fabric markets, where colorful textiles and traditional tailoring culture still thrive. Learn how this market has supported generations of traders and designers.
Stop 4: Cha Tam Church
Visit this historic 19th-century church with its distinctive mint-green interior. It is also known as the place where President Ngô Đình Diệm was arrested, making it an important political and cultural landmark.
Stop 5: Bình Tây Market (Chợ Lớn)
Discover the iconic symbol of Chinatown — a historic wholesale market bustling with trade, aromas, and energy. Learn how this market remains the backbone of commerce in Chợ Lớn.
Stop 6: Secret Weapon Bunker & Coffee Break
End the tour at a hidden underground bunker once used to store weapons during the Vietnam War. Enjoy a relaxing coffee while hearing stories of resistance and survival that bring Saigon’s wartime history to life.
