Local guide · 7 places
Markets and old streets of Cholon
Cholon's markets and trade streets are where the neighbourhood's daily life happens. Binh Tay Market is the grand old wholesale market; smaller wet markets like Hoa Binh and Phung Hung are where locals buy breakfast, snacks and fresh food.
Some streets still specialise in one trade: lanterns on Luong Nhu Hoc (especially before the Mid-Autumn Festival) and traditional Chinese medicine on Hai Thuong Lan Ong, where the air smells of dried herbs.
Before you go
- Markets are busiest and most interesting in the early morning.
- Keep your phone and bag on the side away from passing motorbikes.
- Ask before photographing vendors, and buy a snack if you linger at a stall.
The places
Thiec Market
Chợ ThiếcCholon (District 11)Old Chinese community market in District 11, full of Chinese-Vietnamese street food.
Phung Hung Market
Chợ Phùng HưngCholon (District 5)Morning market in the heart of Cholon. Try sticky rice, steamed buns, Hong Kong-style rice rolls, chive cakes and old-school sock-filtered coffee. Busiest 6–9am.
Lantern Street (Luong Nhu Hoc)
Phố lồng đèn Lương Nhữ HọcCholon (District 5)Saigon's lantern street. It glows with thousands of lanterns in the weeks before the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Hoa Binh Market
Chợ Hòa BìnhCholon (District 5)Historic Chinese market in District 5 for food and shopping, with fried noodle stalls at night and Ma Nghia's coffee.
Nhat Tao Market
Chợ Nhật TảoDistrict 10Busy Chinese-Vietnamese neighbourhood market in District 10.
Binh Tay Market
Chợ Bình TâyCholon (District 6)Cholon's century-old wholesale market. A busy, colourful place to see Chinatown trading life.
Herbal Medicine Street
Phố thuốc bắc Hải Thượng Lãn ÔngCholon (District 5)Hai Thuong Lan Ong street, lined with traditional Chinese herbal medicine shops. Great for photos and smells.