Cho Lon

Lerdsuwa · CC BY-SA 3.0

Vietnam's largest Chinatown — assembly halls, herbal medicine shops and Chinese shop signs.

Cho Lon was once a separate city, only absorbed into Saigon in 1931, and it still keeps its own rhythm. Walking here means passing rows of low buildings with Chinese shop signs, herbal medicine shops with doors thrown open letting the smell of cinnamon and star anise onto the pavement, gold shops, incense workshops, and the assembly halls of the Chinese congregations tucked between them. Mornings bring hu tieu noodles and sock-filtered coffee; in the afternoon the small alleys open into a world entirely unlike District 1 a few kilometres away. This is a quarter to wander without an itinerary.

Visitor information

When is the best time to visit Cho Lon?

Morning; at its most vivid at the Lantern Festival

How long do you need at Cho Lon?

Half a day

What are the opening hours of Cho Lon?

All day

Did you know

Cho Lon was a separate city until it was merged into Saigon in 1931.
It is the largest Chinatown in Vietnam.
The area holds many Chinese congregation halls, herbal medicine shops and incense workshops.
Hu tieu noodles and sock-filtered coffee are tied to the quarter's breakfast habits.

Travel tips

Walk or cycle — the small alleys are the best part and cars cannot get in.
Combine Cho Lon with Binh Tay market and Giac Lam pagoda in one outing.

Source: https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%E1%BB%A3_L%E1%BB%9Bn

Updated: 2026-08-16