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Free tour

🔥 Lost in Cholon: The Chinatown of Ho Chi Minh City

4.95
Excellent(19)
Duration: 3 hours
Languages: English
PRO
Registered on 23 April 2023
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Detour Asia offers an alternative tour experience for travelers in Southeast Asia, guided by local experts who know their cities inside and out. Skip the typical tourist spots and immerse yourself in authentic culture, discovering hidden gems and local favorites. Explore with those who love and understand their cities' secrets and surprises. Make your next adventure unconventional. Proudly featured in Lonely Planet Travel Guide (2016 & 2019).
Free reservation and cancellation
Pay-what-you-want tour, no set price, reservation and cancellation are free

Tour description

Hidden just west of central Ho Chi Minh City lies Cholon, a district where past and present collide in a whirlwind of color, flavor, and culture. This is Saigon’s Chinatown — and it's a place unlike any other in the city. More than just a neighborhood, Cholon is a living museum of Vietnamese-Chinese heritage, with deep spiritual roots, age-old architecture, and a culinary scene that pulls no punches.

On this immersive walking tour, we’ll take you beyond the tourist trail and into the real heart of District 5, where Chinese medicine shops, incense-filled temples, and bustling wet markets tell stories older than modern Vietnam itself. 

 🗺️ Your Journey Includes:

  •  🏘️ Hao Sy Phuong Alleyway
    Start your journey in one of Cholon’s most photogenic alleys. Once home to generations of Chinese immigrants, this narrow passageway is rich with local history and everyday life.
  •  🛕 Ba Thien Hau Temple
    Visit one of Saigon’s oldest and most important Chinese temples, dedicated to the sea goddess Mazu. Intricate carvings, curling incense, and spiritual silence offer a peek into traditional beliefs.
  •  🕌 Cho Lon Masjid (Mosque)
    Discover Cholon’s multicultural side with a stop at this historic mosque — a reminder of the area’s diverse roots.
  •  🍲 Khu ăn uống chợ Thủ Đô
    Sample street food classics at this buzzing local market: from savory noodles and dumplings to sweet Chinese desserts. A true food lover’s playground.
  •  🧵 Soai Kinh Lam Market
    Marvel at endless rows of vibrant fabrics and watch the local fashion business in motion at this textile-focused bazaar.
  •  ⛪ St. Francis Xavier Church
    A surprising colonial-era gem tucked into Chinatown, this church showcases the religious blend that defines the area.
  •  🛍️ Binh Tay Market
    The commercial heart of Cholon, this vast wholesale market is packed with spices, dried goods, souvenirs, and daily necessities — a must-see for any visitor.
  •  🏤 District 5 Post Office (Bưu điện Quận 5)
    A lesser-known architectural beauty, this building tells its own story of the city’s colonial and cultural evolution.
  •  🍛 Final Stop: A Hidden Local Eatery
    End the day like a true Saigoneer — over a shared table of comforting local dishes in a tucked-away restaurant known only to neighborhood regulars.


Why You’ll Love This Tour: 
 

This isn’t just a walk — it’s a journey through time, taste, and tradition. From hidden alleyways to sacred temples, from vibrant markets to unforgettable street eats, you’ll see a side of Saigon that most travelers miss. Whether you're a curious explorer, a foodie, or a culture lover, Cholon will steal your heart. 

 
Come for the history. Stay for the stories. Leave with a full heart (and stomach).


Highlights

What will we see on this tour?

Meeting point:
1A Hải Triều, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam
Meet outside the main entrance of Starbucks Coffee at the Bitexco Financial Tower. After short introduction we will catch a public bus to transfer to Chinatown together. For additional information, please feel free to contact me via WhatsApp at +84 91 238 8676
1
Outside visit
Hao Sy Phuong
2
Outside visit
Chợ Xã Tây
3
Outside visit
Hội Quán Nghĩa An
Tour map

How much does this tour cost?

Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end the amount they consider appropriate (amounts usually range from €10 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).

Tour reviews

4.95
Excellent(19)
Generic
18
1
0
0
0
By category
Professionalism
4.95
Fun
4.89
Communication
4.89
Quality
4.79
Route
4.84

Who is this tour for?

Accessibility
Not suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Groups
Accepts bookings of up to 20 people.
Pets
Not suitable for bringing pets.

What should I know?

Minimum attendees
Requires a minimum of 5 people to conduct the tour.
Additional costs
The tour requires payment for entries or additional expenses.
Free cancellation
If you cannot attend the tour, please cancel the reservation, otherwise the guide will be waiting for you.
Payment methods
Electronic or card payment accepted.
🔥 Lost in Cholon: The Chinatown of Ho Chi Minh City
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