Saigon Chinatown, Shopping district in District 5, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Saigon Chinatown, locally called Cho Lon, features traditional markets, Chinese medicine shops, ornate temples, and narrow streets filled with vendors selling textiles, electronics, and authentic Asian street food throughout District 5.
Established in 1779 during the Tay Son rebellion, Chinese merchants fleeing political conflicts founded this independent trading city that remained separate from Saigon until their merger in 1932 during French colonial urbanization.
Cantonese, Hakka, and Teochew communities preserve their heritage through temples like Thien Hau Pagoda, Lunar New Year celebrations with dragon dances, and traditional cuisine including dim sum, roasted duck, and medicinal herbal practices.
Visitors can explore Binh Tay Market and shopping alleys using public transportation from downtown Ho Chi Minh City, with regular bus routes connecting major streets like Tran Hung Dao and Vo Van Kiet.
Lantern Street showcases intricate handcrafted lanterns during Mid-Autumn Festival, where artisans create elaborate paper dragons and royal-patterned lanterns that transform the area into a colorful display of traditional Chinese craftsmanship and cultural expression.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
