Cholon, a Chinese town that stretches over districts 5 and 6 in Ho Chi Minh City and extends south to districts 8 and north to district 11. More than 500,000 ethnic Vietnamese people gather in Cholon, the Chinatown that spreads over 50 hectares. Cholon was established in 1865 as an independent city separate from Saigon, but was gradually annexed from the 1930s to the 1950s. In this issue, we introduce the historical, cultural, and religious values of Cholon as places that still retain their rich essence today.
Only those who know it know it
Local food that local people can't get enough of
Since Chinese immigrants migrated to Vietnam in the 16th century, they have brought their rich culinary culture to Vietnam. Today, there are still many restaurants where you can enjoy authentic traditional Chinese cuisine without having to spend a lot of money. Let’s visit some unassuming local eateries that have been open for a long time and are bustling with locals.
Pointsi 259 / Diem Tam 259
Address: 259 Hong Bang, Quan 5
Open: 6:00 am – 10:00 am
People of all ages and genders gather until closing time, always with full seats.
This breakfast shop is located at the corner of a busy road and operates within a private home. It opens early in the morning and is bustling with customers of all ages both on weekdays and weekends. Although the shop name says “pointsi,” the signature dish is Hu Tieu, a hearty noodle dish made with a Chinese-style broth. Upon arrival, you will be served warm tea, and you can also order traditional coffee or milk tea.
Dimsum Hoc Lac
Aim to conquer over 20 types of dumplings!
It has been operating for decades and is loved by the local residents.
Shin-to. There is no sign outside the shop, but the name of the street where it is located has been used as the shop name. In the morning, they serve noodle dishes for breakfast, and from 15:00 onwards, they operate as a specialty noodle shop. In the evening, many parents are seen taking a quick snack or ordering takeout for their children who have just returned from school.
Choose your favorite snacks and enjoy them with refreshing Lohakan fruit juice (15,000 VND).
Haenam Chicken Rice Shop / Tiem Com Ga Hai Nam
A rice menu that doesn't disappoint expectations
This specialty store offers Hainanese chicken rice and other Chinese-style rice dishes. The chicken is juicy and the skin is firm, and the rice cooked with the chicken broth is fragrant and tender. In addition to chicken rice and Yangzhou char siu, you can enjoy a variety of side dishes such as roasted duck and fish, and you can also enjoy various soups with the rice.
The taste of the dishes is as expected!
A luxurious restaurant and cafe with a beautiful space and appearance
In recent years, modern restaurants have been popping up that have adapted Chinese cuisine to the modern era.
We introduce restaurants and cafes that are perfect for taking photos, perfect for enjoying a leisurely meal in a stylish atmosphere.
Bep Xanh An Duyen
Chinese-style vegetarian dishes with a twist
This restaurant opened in 2013 and offers refined Japanese cuisine. In addition to creative dishes made using a variety of cooking methods such as stir-fry, steamed, and braised dishes, they also offer a wide selection of rice and noodles. They also have a set menu that features recommended dishes for two people or more, as well as Chinese-style dishes such as fermented tofu and mushroom milk pot.
Address: 10 Nguyen Tri Phuong, Quan 5
Phone: 028-2212-9947
Open: 10:00～14:00／17:00～21:30
URL: https://bepxanhanduyen.com
Tao Tao
A dessert cafe full of whimsy
This modern-style dessert cafe opened at the end of 2023. In addition to their signature variety of Chinese-style desserts, they also offer light snacks such as fried chicken and wonton from 16:00. In addition to their tea-based and soy milk-based creative drinks, they also have matcha drinks made with ingredients commonly found in Chinese food culture, such as chrysanthemum and persimmons. They also offer unique variations.
Address: 202 Tran Hung Dao, Quan 5
Phone: 090-999-1394
Open: 10:00～22:00
IG: taotao.saigon
To a shopping street lined with traditional stores
Take a complete tour and enjoy the charm of Chinatown
The traditional feature of Cholon is that shops selling the same products gather in the same area. As you walk around, you can see rows of such shops lining the street, allowing you to observe the daily activities of the people who run them.
Chanh Fondao B Street / Duong Tran Hung Dao B
Goldsmiths' works adorn the streets
From Hunfun-dori, turn right towards Changfuandao B-dori and you will see several shops selling gold calligraphy near the corner near Dongyokushiki Street. These are often purchased as gifts for special occasions such as New Year’s greetings, opening ceremonies, and birthdays of elderly people. You can customize the size and color to suit your preferences.
Luong Nhu Hoc Street
The pleasant aroma of medicinal herbs fills the air
The trade in herbal medicine has been flourishing since ancient times, and in 2017 it was designated as "Phu Dong Y" by the city of Ho Chi Minh. There are 14 shops selling herbal medicine, 2 traditional medicine treatment facilities, and 3 companies that manufacture and trade herbs and herbal medicines. Herbs that are hard to find in other areas of the city, such as lo han fruit, amachazuru, and tuchu, are sold here.
Hun Hung Street / Duong Phung Hung
It's a street where stationery stores that make stamps as well gather.
Located opposite the Nhi Phu (Nhi Phu) Building, this street lined with stationery stores that have been in operation since the 1950s or earlier retains the traditional shop atmosphere. In addition to selling stationery, paper decorations, and lucky envelopes, they also offer engraving services for seals, printing services for wedding invitations and business cards, and more.
Hieu Thuan Long Ong Street / Duong Hai Thuong Lan Ong
Colorful decorations that complement any scene
Since being designated as one of the "oldest streets in the city" by the city of Ho Chi Minh in 2010, this street is lined with shops selling decorative items of various shapes, sizes, and purposes. On special occasions such as Tet, Mid-Autumn Festival, Halloween, and Christmas, the colors become especially vivid, making it enjoyable just to look at and always bustling with people taking photos.
A hall boasting hundreds of years of history
Immerse yourself in a soothing space filled with the fragrance of incense
The Chinese community has a tradition of creating places where like-minded people can gather. Most Chinese associations and temples in Ho Chi Minh City are still operating today, not only as a spiritual support for Chinese Vietnamese people but also as destinations for tourism and research activities.
Tuetain (Hoi Quan) House / Hôi Quan Tue Thanh
It has a history that is so long that its date of establishment is unknown.
This pavilion was built in the 18th century by a Chinese man from Guangzhou, Guangdong Province. It is dedicated to the Tianhou Saint Mother, who is said to be the guardian deity of sailors. Therefore, it is also known as the "Tianhou Temple/ Mieu Thien Hau". The characteristics of ancient Chinese temple architecture are still preserved. Several renovations were carried out between the 19th and 20th centuries, and even as of October 2024, renovations are still underway. However, it is still open to visitors.
Address: 710 Nguyen Trai, Quan 5
Open: 6:00 AM to 17:30
Gear An (Ying An) House of Culture / Hoi Quan Nghia An
The mansion designated a national-level art and architecture heritage site
This pavilion was built by Chinese people from Chaozhou, Guangdong Province, in the early 19th century. It is also known as the Guan De Temple because it honors Guan Yu, a warlord from the Three Kingdoms period. The vast forecourt of about 2000 square meters has a pond with koi swimming in it, and it is adorned with historical and artistic decorations such as calligraphy, stone carving, wood carving, and ceramic mosaics.
Address: 678 Nguyen Trai, Quan 5
Phone: 028-3853-8775
Open: 6:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Hoi Quan Phuoc An
Temples that worship both Kanzei and Buddha together
Originally a small temple built in a dilapidated location, it is said that it was renovated in the early 20th century by 20 merchants from Fujian Province. After the renovation, it became a gathering place for the Minh Huong people (Minh Huong Temple), descendants of Chinese people from the Ming Dynasty. Note that photography and filming are prohibited inside the temple.
Address: 184 Hong Bang, Quan 5
Open: 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Khanh Van Nam Vien Temple
Unique appearance and atmosphere are its appeal
Originating in the Nansha County of Guangdong Province in China that was passed down to Chorong in the 1930s
This temple was originally built on Changfuodao Street in District 5 and relocated to its current location in District 11 in 1942. It is one of the few Taoist temples in southern Vietnam, where Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism are combined to create a unique architectural style that consists of gardens, a front hall, and a main hall, similar to the main temple in the South China Sea region.
Address: 269/2 Nguyen Thi Nho, Quan 11
Phone: 028-3969-2732
Open: 6:00 AM to 17:30
