District 5

District 5 is an urban neighborhood in Ho Chi Minh City organized into several administrative wards and strongly shaped by Chinese cultural influences. The area centers around major markets like Binh Tay and is crossed by traditional temples, shops, and narrow streets that reflect daily life.

The neighborhood grew into a Chinese settlement during the 18th century and became a center for trade and cultural exchange between Vietnamese and Chinese communities. This foundation shaped the area's structure and character through the following centuries.

The neighborhood shows its mixed heritage through traditional Chinese-Vietnamese temple architecture and religious spaces where locals observe rituals and celebrations throughout the year. The streets themselves reveal this blend in their layout, shop styles, and how people move through and gather in the area.

Binh Tay Market is open daily from early morning through late afternoon, selling fresh produce, herbs, textiles, and local specialties. Visiting early gives you better selection and fewer crowds as the day progresses.

The Hai Thuong Lan Ong street has long specialized in selling traditional Chinese and Vietnamese medicinal herbs, drawing buyers from across the region. Few other urban areas in southern Vietnam maintain this level of specialization in a single trade.