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Did you know that in Saigon there is a neighborhood deeply infused with Chinese culture, where you can enjoy delicious cuisine, admire stunning architectural works, and explore interesting historical stories? Join BDATrip in discovering Chinatown in District 5 (China Town), an attractive destination for visitors to the city named after Uncle Ho.
Extending through Districts 6, 10, and part of District 11, Chinatown has been a historical landmark since the 18th century. Known as Cho Lon, this area is not just Saigon's largest market but also a vibrant commercial hub for both the Chinese and Vietnamese communities.
Distinguished by its Chinese architecture and culture, District 5 hosts guild halls, temples, historical churches, preserving traditional beauty through the centuries. This area is also a culinary paradise, where visitors can explore Chinese-Vietnamese delicacies like duck noodles, Hu Tieu, Dim Sum, steamed buns, rice paper salad, crab soup, Banh Xeo, and more. Besides the culinary experience, Chinatown in District 5 also appeals with shops selling souvenirs, jewelry, electronics, catering to a diverse shopping need with reasonable prices, attracting visitors.
Situated southwest of Ho Chi Minh City's center, about 5.4 km from Ben Thanh Market, Chinatown in District 5 is easily accessible by bus, motorbike taxi, traditional taxi, and Grab. However, for convenience and cost-saving, opting for a motorbike taxi or Grab is ideal due to the area's narrow alleys and crowded spaces, unsuitable for buses or taxis.
To experience Chinatown, start from Tran Hung Dao Boulevard, the main artery and lifeline of the area. This gateway leads to the distinctive Chinese cultural heritage amidst Saigon's bustling scene. From here, visitors can walk or rent bicycles to explore famous tourist spots like the Ba Thien Hau Temple, Ha Chuong Guild Hall, Luong Nhu Hoc Lantern Street, Tam Son Guild Hall, and more. Visiting markets like Binh Tay, Kim Bien, and Cho Lon also presents a great opportunity for shopping and trying the area's signature dishes.
Established in 1839, Tam Son Guild Hall is a gathering place for the Phuc Chau (Fujian) Chinese community. Here, they perform ancestor and deity worship rituals. The architecture impresses with its red-tiled roofs, wooden columns, antique clocks, and exquisitely carved woodwork. The guild hall is also famous for its large stage, regularly hosting traditional operas, puppet shows, and lion dances during festivals.
Tam Son Guild Hall not only preserves traditional Chinese culture but also offers deep insights into their history, beliefs, and art. It's also a spiritual destination for those seeking peace, fortune, and family happiness, where locals come to worship and seek blessings from priests.
The guild hall has a clear structural layout, with a front yard, front hall, middle hall, and main hall, along with auxiliary areas on both sides. It houses historical relics like the 1834 Sac tu Thanh mau đian signboard, along with numerous statues and stone steles of historical value.
Within the guild hall, various shrines each hold unique significance, from the Thien Hau shrine, Chua Sinh Nuong Nuong to Phuc Duc Chinh Than and other deities like Than Tai, Thai Tue, Bao Cong, Thach Cam Duong, Than Xa Tac, Van Xuong De Quan, and Than Thanh Hoang. The statues, ancestral tablets, and altars are intricately carved and majestically adorned.
The guild hall's history is also chronicled on stone steles, recording important events like renovations and restorations. Tam Son Guild Hall is not just an architectural heritage but also a preserver and promoter of the rich Chinese culture in Saigon.
Built in 1839, Ha Chuong Guild Hall serves as a cultural hub for the Chinese community from Ha Chau (Fujian), where they worship ancestors and deities. Its architecture captivates with bright red tiled roofs, ancient wooden pillars, antique clocks, and finely carved woodwork. A large stage inside often hosts traditional performances like operas and puppet shows during festivals.
Ha Chuong Guild Hall is a key place for preserving the unique cultural heritage of the Chinese community, offering a perfect opportunity to explore their unique history, beliefs, and art.
Ba Thien Hau Temple is renowned as one of the oldest and most magnificent temples in the area. Established in 1760, the temple is dedicated to Thien Hau, the Chinese sea goddess. Its striking Chinese architectural style includes bright red-tiled roofs, ancient wooden pillars, exquisitely carved stone statues, and dazzling lanterns. The temple's interior displays paintings and wooden carvings depicting stories and miracles of Thien Hau.
Ba Thien Hau Temple is not just a spiritual destination where locals pray for peace, luck, and destiny, but also a popular spot among the youth for its colorful and photogenic corners.
A visit to District 5's Chinatown is incomplete without exploring Luong Nhu Hoc Lantern Street, renowned for its display of various colorful lanterns in different shapes and patterns. Established over half a century ago, the lantern street has become a cultural symbol, especially during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Buzzing from the 1st to the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, Lantern Street is easily accessible from the city center. The optimal route by motorbike or car is from Vo Van Kiet Street towards District 5, turning right into Hai Thuong Lan Ong, continuing to Phan Dinh Phung roundabout, turning right into Chau Van Liem, and then turning right at the intersection with Nguyen Trai to reach Luong Nhu Hoc. Here, you can immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere, exploring lanterns ranging from traditional to modern designs, with themes from landscapes to dragon motifs. It’s also a great place for unique and colorful photography.
Additionally, Luong Nhu Hoc Lantern Street entices visitors with a culinary paradise, offering delights such as steamed buns, rice paper salad, dim sum, and fish hotpot, all reflecting the distinctive flavors of Chinese cuisine at affordable prices catering to all visitors.
Located in District 5, Dimsum Baoz China Town is the ideal spot to enjoy a variety of Chinese dim sum. Here, you can indulge in fresh and delicious dim sum items like steamed buns, shrimp dumplings, skewers, wontons, and steamed rice rolls, made from high-quality ingredients and tantalizing flavors. The restaurant offers traditional dim sum like char siu buns and shrimp dumplings, as well as creative versions like salted egg buns and crab dumplings. Alongside dim sum, they also serve other dishes like stir-fried noodles, fried rice, fruit juices, and bubble tea to enrich your dining experience.
Dimsum Baoz China Town provides a modern, clean space with quick and friendly service. Fully equipped with comfortable seating and free Wi-Fi, it allows guests to relax and share their experience online.
With affordable prices ranging from 20,000 to 50,000 VND per dim sum item, the restaurant is open from 7 AM to 10 PM, ready to welcome you to enjoy these unique and delicious dim sum.
Address: 212 Nguyen Trai, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, District 1, HCMC.
Che Hoa - Ha Ky Dessert Shop proudly offers an authentic Chinese dessert experience right in the heart of District 5. The shop specializes in traditional Chinese sweet soups like white fungus soup, egg dessert, Ginkgo nut dessert, refreshing herbal jelly, prepared in the Chinese style, light and not overly sweet, winning the hearts of many patrons.
Che Hoa - Ha Ky stands out with its spacious, clean setting and attentive, friendly service. Equipped with comfortable seating and free Wi-Fi, it's an ideal spot for customers to relax, browse the web, or take check-in photos.
With reasonable prices ranging from 15,000 to 33,000 VND per bowl of dessert, the shop is open from 10 AM to 10:30 PM, ready to welcome you to enjoy their refreshing and sweet treats.
Address: 138 Chau Van Liem Street, Ward 11, District 5, HCMC.
Dong Nguyen China Town Chicken Rice in District 5, HCMC, prides itself as a top destination for those who love Hainanese chicken rice. Since 1975, the restaurant has been serving its unique Hainanese chicken rice, where the rice is enticingly flavored with chicken broth, accompanied by tender boiled chicken with crispy skin, and a distinctive dipping sauce made from ginger, garlic, lemon, and chili. Customers can also enhance their meal with side dishes like sour soup, stir-fried morning glory with garlic, or lotus stem salad for a richer culinary experience.
Dong Nguyen China Town Chicken Rice impresses with its spacious, clean environment and friendly, efficient service. With prices ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 VND per serving, the restaurant is open from 6 AM to 10 PM, always ready to welcome guests to savor their exquisite Hainanese chicken rice.
Address: 14 Tran Hung Dao, Ward 7, District 5, HCMC.
Dan Ich Fish Hotpot has become an unmissable spot for fans of the traditional Hainanese fish hotpot. Since 1975, the restaurant has been serving its unique hotpot with a charcoal-fired pot, filled with fresh ingredients like fish, squid, shrimp, meat, liver, and fish balls, accompanied by vegetables, noodles, and rice vermicelli. The broth, cooked from pork bones and seasoned with fish sauce, sugar, garlic, and chili, offers a sweet and rich flavor that enhances the seafood.
Dan Ich Fish Hotpot creates a lasting impression with its spacious, clean setting, along with quick and friendly service. Fully equipped with comfortable seating and free Wi-Fi, it's an ideal place for guests to relax and share their experiences online.
With prices ranging from 50,000 to 110,000 VND per hotpot, the restaurant is open from 4 PM to 10 PM, always ready to welcome you to enjoy this unique and flavorful fish hotpot.
Address: 99 Chau Van Liem Street, Ward 14, District 5, HCMC.
Windsor Plaza Hotel is located in the heart of the vibrant Chinatown in District 5. The hotel's standout features include sophisticated, modern architecture, large rooms with full amenities and private balconies offering magnificent city views. Windsor Plaza also offers high-end facilities such as a swimming pool, gym, spa, restaurants, and bars to meet all leisure and relaxation needs of its guests. Additionally, the hotel provides free shuttle services to famous tourist spots like Ben Thanh Market, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the War Remnants Museum.
With affordable rates ranging from 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 VND per night, Windsor Plaza operates 24/7, allowing easy online or phone booking. Address: 18 An Duong Vuong Street, Ward 9, District 5, HCMC.
Happy Chubby Homestay in District 5 offers a modern, youthful lodging experience, characterized by refined design and bright colors. This homestay provides a variety of room types, from single and double rooms to family rooms, meeting diverse guest needs. Each room is fully equipped with amenities like a kitchen, refrigerator, washing machine, and dryer, maximizing convenience for self-catering. Additionally, the homestay has a flexible communal area where guests can meet, entertain with games, books, and music.
Happy Chubby Homestay creates a warm, clean environment with attentive and friendly service. It also offers bicycle, motorbike, and car rental services, making it easy for guests to explore nearby tourist spots. Notably, the homestay assists with booking flights, trains, and buses, adding convenience and savings for travelers.
With rates ranging from 200,000 to 500,000 VND per night, Happy Chubby Homestay is open 24/7, ready to welcome guests through online or phone bookings. Address: 39/1 Nguyen Trai, Ward 2, District 5, HCMC.
Chinatown in District 5 (China Town) is an attractive destination for visitors to Ho Chi Minh City. It's not just about unique architectural landmarks rich in Chinese culture, but also about delicious foods and a blend of Vietnamese-Chinese culture. Come and experience the exciting and unforgettable moments here!
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