Things to Do in Cholon

Cholon houses Vietnam's largest Chinese community in just 6 square kilometers—three times denser than Manhattan's Chinatown. Narrow streets buzz with wholesale markets, medicine shops, and temples where incense mingles with motorbike exhaust. You'll hear more Cantonese than Vietnamese here. What makes this district fascinating is how it keeps its character while Ho Chi Minh City modernizes around it. The chaos feels overwhelming at first. But there's a rhythm that becomes oddly calming once you find it.

The food scene leans into Chinese-Vietnamese fusion you won't find elsewhere in the city. Street stalls serve excellent hu tieu and banh mi with Chinese roasted meats. Sit-down spots offer whole roasted duck and clay pot rice. Binh Tay Market area has the best vendor concentration, strongest during morning and lunch hours. You can eat well for $5-8 per person—cheaper than tourist areas. Don't skip the tea houses where old men play xiangqi over jasmine tea.

Early mornings work best. Markets come alive and temples fill with worshippers before the heat builds. The dry season runs December through April with more comfortable walking weather but bigger crowds. Weekdays bring serious business activity. Weekends feel more relaxed with families around. Lunar new year transforms the district with decorations and special foods, though many businesses close during the actual holiday.