Chinatown in Ho Chi Minh City at a glance
Chinatown in Ho Chi Minh City is Cholon (Chợ Lớn), the larger, Chinese-influenced district of the old city. It is a place for markets, temples and street food rather than for a checklist of monuments. Plan a half day and keep the afternoon free for the heat.
Cholon is a historical district. It is not the same as the ward called Chợ Lớn, which was created in 2025 when the city merged ward boundaries, so use the name as a place to head for, not as an address. Binh Tay Market and the Thien Hau shrine are two separate stops, and the Jade Emperor Pagoda is a separate shrine elsewhere in the city. If you want a guide for the day, look at the Ho Chi Minh City tours or at a food tour that passes through the district.
Our pick: a Cholon walk
A walk centred on assembly halls, temples and the market in the Chinese quarter.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Chinatown and city tours from Ho Chi Minh City
Guided walks, food tours and city trips that include Cholon, with live prices and availability.
Binh Tay Market in Cholon
The wholesale market at the heart of the district.
Binh Tay (Bình Tây) is a wholesale market. Traders buy and sell goods in bulk, so it is a working market first and a sight second. The market was renovated between 2016 and 2018. Most stalls open around 6:00 and close around 18:00, and some stay open until 19:00. Entry is free, and you pay only for what you buy.
The market has a stepped tower at the entrance and a courtyard with wooden stairs. Go in the morning, when goods are being moved and light is soft. Keep your bag in front of you, and step aside when a trolley or motorbike comes through.
Binh Tay is a different place from Ben Thanh Market in District 1. For the downtown market and its hours, see the Ben Thanh Market page.
Pagodas and assembly halls
The temple stops, with the details that matter.
Thien Hau Pagoda (Chùa Bà Thiên Hậu)
The Thien Hau shrine, also called the Tue Thanh assembly hall (Hội quán Tuệ Thành), stands at 710 Nguyễn Trãi. It is usually open daily from 8:00 to 16:00. Plan to arrive before the afternoon, and check the hours on the day, because temples can close for ceremonies.
Jade Emperor Pagoda (Ngọc Hoàng)
The Jade Emperor Pagoda is a separate shrine in Ho Chi Minh City. Do not assume it sits inside Cholon, and do not plan it as a stop on the same walk. Give it its own trip or pair it with other stops on your route.
How to behave in a temple
Dress respectfully, follow the signs and the staff, and keep your voice low. Ask before you photograph worshippers. Rules differ from temple to temple, so follow what you see on the spot.
A simple plan for half a day
Three stops in one loop.
Morning: Binh Tay Market
Arrive when stalls are open and busy. Walk the outer lanes first, then the courtyard. Allow one to two hours.
Midday: a street meal
Eat a simple dish in the district, such as rice with grilled pork or a bowl of noodles. Sealed bottled water is the usual advice, and skip ice if you are unsure of its source.
Street food guide →Early afternoon: Thien Hau
Reach the shrine before it closes at 16:00. Stay for the incense, the roof ornaments and the quiet courtyard.
Getting there and back
Use an app car or a metered taxi from District 1, and ask the driver to stop near the market gate. Agree where you will be picked up before you leave the car.
District 1 guide →Plan the rest of your trip
Other pages for the same trip.
Chinatown Ho Chi Minh: frequently asked questions
Is Chinatown the same as Cholon?
Yes. Cholon, written Chợ Lớn in Vietnamese, is the name of the historical Chinese-influenced district that visitors call Chinatown. It is not the same as the ward named Chợ Lớn, which was formed in 2025.
How long should I plan for Chinatown?
Plan about half a day for the market, a meal and one temple. A full day only makes sense if you add more temples or join a tour.
Do I pay to enter Binh Tay Market?
No. Entry is free. You pay for goods and food. Stalls are mostly open from about 6:00 to 18:00.
What are the hours of the Thien Hau pagoda?
It is usually open daily from 8:00 to 16:00 at 710 Nguyễn Trãi. Check the hours on the day of your visit, since temples can change them for ceremonies.
Is the Jade Emperor Pagoda in Chinatown?
No. It is a separate shrine in Ho Chi Minh City, so plan it as its own stop.
What should I wear in the temples?
Dress respectfully, follow the signs and the staff, and ask before you photograph worshippers. Rules differ from temple to temple.