Ho Chi Minh City Chinatown (Cholon) Guide: Binh Tay Market, Thien Hau Temple and Getting There
📅 Last updated: 2026/09/21
Ho Chi Minh City's Chinatown is called Cholon (Chợ Lớn). It's mainly in District 5 and District 6 and is the largest Chinese community in Vietnam. On a first visit, start at Thien Hau Temple, then browse Binh Tay Market; half a day is enough to get a feel for this historic Chinese neighborhood.
- Location: Around District 5 and District 6, about 20–30 minutes by car from central District 1.
- Must-sees: Thien Hau Temple (Tue Thanh Assembly Hall), Binh Tay Market, and the old assembly halls and streets nearby.
- How long: Half a day is just right: about 30 minutes at Thien Hau Temple and about 1 hour at Binh Tay Market.
- What to eat: Chinese snacks such as Cantonese roast meats, Teochew rice noodles, duck noodle soup and herbal tea.
- Getting there: Take a ride-hailing car or a private car charter; the Lanytrip Ho Chi Minh City Culture Day Tour takes you to Thien Hau Temple and Binh Tay Market.
Where is Cholon Chinatown?
📍 Thien Hau Temple (Cholon Chinatown) | Open in Google Maps for directions
Cholon lies southwest of central Ho Chi Minh City and stretches across District 5, District 6 and District 11. Visitors mostly head to Thien Hau Temple on Nguyen Trai Street (Nguyễn Trãi) in District 5 and Binh Tay Market in District 6, about 10 minutes apart by car.
The story of Cholon
Cholon's Vietnamese name, Chợ Lớn, means "big market." Early Chinese immigrants from Guangdong, Fujian, Chaozhou and Hainan settled here to trade, gradually forming Vietnam's largest Chinese community. You still see Chinese signs, assembly halls and temples on the streets today, and many residents speak Cantonese or Teochew.
Must-see sights in Chinatown
| Sight | What to see | Suggested time |
|---|---|---|
| Thien Hau Temple (Tue Thanh Assembly Hall) | An old temple to Mazu, with intricate ceramic figurines and wood carvings on the roof and walls, and an impressive display of hanging incense coils | 30 minutes |
| Binh Tay Market (Chợ Bình Tây) | Chinatown's largest traditional market, selling dried goods, snacks, fabric and kitchenware | 1 hour |
| Nearby assembly halls | Chinese assembly halls such as Nghia An Assembly Hall, each with its own distinctive architecture | 20–30 minutes |
| Old streets and alleys | Traditional Chinese medicine shops, roast meat shops and old tea shops with the feel of old Hong Kong | Wander at your own pace |
What to eat in Chinatown
| Food | Notes |
|---|---|
| Roast meat rice | Char siu and roast duck from many long-running roast meat shops |
| Teochew rice noodles, duck noodle soup | Light, slightly sweet broths, everyday food in the Chinese community |
| Herbal tea | Street-side herbal tea, very refreshing on a hot day |
| Hong Kong-style dim sum | Go in the morning for dim sum with tea |
Half-day Chinatown route
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| 09:00 | Visit Thien Hau Temple |
| 09:45 | Stroll the nearby old streets and assembly halls |
| 10:30 | Browse Binh Tay Market and shop for souvenirs |
| 12:00 | Lunch: roast meats or rice noodles |
| 13:00 | Return to District 1, or visit the War Remnants Museum in the afternoon |
The market is busiest in the morning, and some stalls close early in the afternoon. For souvenirs, besides Binh Tay Market, you can also compare Ben Thanh Market and Saigon Square in District 1.
How to get to Chinatown from District 1
Cholon is about 20–30 minutes by car from central District 1, and you can use a ride-hailing app. Chinatown's sights are spread out, so if you want to see the city landmarks and Chinatown in one day, Lanytrip has a few options:
Ho Chi Minh City Chinatown FAQ
Where is Ho Chi Minh City's Chinatown?
Ho Chi Minh City's Chinatown is called Cholon (Chợ Lớn). It's mainly in District 5 and District 6, about 20–30 minutes by car from central District 1.
What is there to do in Ho Chi Minh City's Chinatown?
The must-sees are Thien Hau Temple and Binh Tay Market. Nearby you'll also find Chinese assembly halls, traditional medicine shops and old streets, plus roast meats, rice noodles and herbal tea.
Where is Thien Hau Temple?
Thien Hau Temple (Tue Thanh Assembly Hall) is at 710 Nguyen Trai Street (710 Nguyễn Trãi), District 5, and is Cholon's best-known Mazu temple.
What does Binh Tay Market sell?
Binh Tay Market is Chinatown's largest traditional market, selling dried goods, snacks, fabric, kitchenware and souvenirs. It's busiest in the morning.
How long should I spend in Chinatown?
Half a day is just right: about 30 minutes at Thien Hau Temple and about 1 hour at Binh Tay Market, plus time for a stroll and lunch.
How can I see Chinatown and the city sights in one day?
The Lanytrip Ho Chi Minh City Culture Day Tour takes you to Independence Palace, Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica, Saigon Central Post Office, Thien Hau Temple, Binh Tay Market and the War Remnants Museum, finishing with a Saigon Waterbus ride, with entry tickets and hotel pickup included.
