Chinatown, Saigon/HoChiMinh City

Chinatown, Saigon/HoChiMinh City

Cho Lon, commonly known as Saigon's Chinatown, boasts a rich history that spans several centuries. Its origins can be traced back to the 18th century when Chinese traders settled in the region. These early migrants introduced their vibrant culture, customs, and commercial enterprises, giving rise to a unique Chinese community within Saigon.

With the passage of time, Cho Lon flourished into a thriving commercial quarter, renowned for its lively markets, temples, and traditional Chinese architectural landmarks. It evolved into a diverse melting pot, where Chinese, Vietnamese, and various other ethnic groups coexisted, fostering a distinctive multicultural ambiance.

In the present day, Cho Lon remains a vibrant neighborhood that serves as both a thriving commercial hub and a center of cultural activity. It is celebrated for its bustling street markets, which offer a wide array of Chinese products, herbs, spices, and traditional handicrafts. The streets of Cho Lon are permeated with the enticing aromas of Chinese cuisine, beckoning visitors to savor an extensive range of flavors and culinary delights.

An intriguing facet of Cho Lon is its housing of some of the oldest and most significant Chinese temples in Ho Chi Minh City. These temples hold immense spiritual and cultural significance, drawing both worshippers and tourists to their hallowed premises.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Saigon/HoChiMinh City. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Chinatown on Map

Sight Name: Chinatown
Sight Location: Saigon/HoChiMinh City, Vietnam (See walking tours in Saigon/HoChiMinh City)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark

Walking Tours in Saigon/HoChiMinh City, Vietnam

Create Your Own Walk in Saigon/HoChiMinh City

Create Your Own Walk in Saigon/HoChiMinh City

Creating your own self-guided walk in Saigon/HoChiMinh City is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Saigon/HoChiMinh City Introduction Walking Tour

Saigon/HoChiMinh City Introduction Walking Tour

While many people still fondly say “Saigon,” the city officially became Ho Chi Minh City or HCMC in 1976, to honor the revolutionary leader who led North Vietnam. But call it what you will – Saigon still lives in the names, food stalls, and in locals’ hearts, especially in District 1, the area most of us think of when we say “Saigon.”

Long before colonial buildings and skyscrapers,...  view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.9 Km or 3 Miles
Historical Religious Sites

Historical Religious Sites

For centuries, Vietnamese people have practiced Confucianism and Buddhism brought over from neighboring China. Added to these Eastern teachings, in the 16th century, was Christianity – introduced to Vietnam by Western missionaries. The result of this variety of faiths has become a mixture of gorgeous Confucian and Buddhist temples and Catholic churches in Ho Chi Minh City. Some of these...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.9 Km or 3.7 Miles
Saigon Shopping Tour

Saigon Shopping Tour

Among other accolades, Ho Chi Minh City is known as a great shopping destination. Attesting to its reputation are a plethora of street markets scattered throughout the city, selling all sorts of fresh local produce, including coffee beans, and other delights, not to mention street food and souvenirs – all at extremely competitive prices. There are also designated markets specialized in niche...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Chinatown Walking Tour

Chinatown Walking Tour

The relationship between Vietnam and China traces back over 2,000 years. Over this time, Vietnamese culture, customs, administrative system, and even the language have been heavily influenced by the great northern neighbor. So much so, in fact, that although Vietnam had its own spoken language, until the late 1800s its official written language was Chinese.

Chinatown in Ho Chi Minh City,...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles