 | Ho Chi Minh City Chinatown Reviews | 1 - 10 of 36 |  |
Cho Lon, Saigon’s Chinatown, is one of the oldest, mysterious and most interesting parts of Saigon. Cho Lon literally means ‘big market’ and the vast Binh Tay Market lives up to that reputation. Though not as centrally located as the famous Ben Thanh Market, it was the first market I visited in Saigon.
Unlike other markets, Cholon Market hasn't changed since the days of the Viet Nam War. Here you will find derelict shells of old French style houses that are still surrounding the market building. When I arrived it was probably in the mid-80s Fahrenheit but because of overcast skies and a little breeze it was humid but not stifling. The market, however, was crowded and under its roof it did get pretty warm. I took my time shopping and I would suggest that you do also. The aisles are narrow, the din is loud, and the people are scurrying about or squatting in the narrow passages to talk or eat. The variety of goods here is positively astounding and will give you uncanny glimpses into modern Vietnamese life. I took a lot of pictures and my guide and I stopped often to inquire about some eye-appealing trinket or to haggle over the price of some pistachios.
At the center of the Binh Tay market is a very nice, eye-appealing courtyard of trees, beautiful shrubbery and stonework. Get your camera out as you will be taking photographs of the courtyard and the delightful market.
Saigon seems a paradise for shoppers. You will find tacky tourist junk right next to beautiful local handicrafts that are situated next to glittering fake-brand watches. And basketry and cloth seems to be in endless supply. If you love to shop and have at least some rudimentary bargaining skills and a good eye for value, your money will go a long way and you can enjoy virtually endless retail entertainment. Your bargaining skills will come in handy almost everywhere in Saigon as long as you avoid the major tourist-bus stop shops. Generally speaking, anything not marked with a price sticker can be had for about two-thirds the price first quoted. Leave a Comment Directions: Saigon's Chinatown
|
 | |  |
Visiting Ho Chi Minh City?
Read reviews about Ho Chi Minh City Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
There is a strong chinese presence in all the city, in spite of the efforts of the Government to keep them out. But where this presence is harder is in the western district of Cholon.
There you will find traditional chinese shops (tea, medicines, clothes...), restaurants and the main market, which really deserves a visit to get lost among the hundreds of stalls selling evrything that could get out of your mind... name it, it's there! Leave a Comment Address: Western part of townDirections: Take a rickshaw or taxi, is far from the center and U will get lost if U walk.
|
The western part of Ho Chi Minh city is dominated by Cholon (Chinatown), a thickly settled district rife with teahouses and pagodas and the famous Binh Tay Market. Cholon spans across, and consists of, Districts 5 & 6 of Ho Chi Minh City. Incorporated in 1879 as a city 11 km from Saigon, it had expanded and became coterminous with Saigon by the 1930s. On April 27, 1931, the two cities were merged to form Saigon-Cholon by the French colonial government. By 1956, the name Cholon was dropped from the city name and the city was known primarily as Saigon. During the Vietnam War, soldiers and deserters from the United States Army maintianed a thriving black market at Cholon, trading in various American and especially army-issue items.
Cholon is a sizable district bordered by Hung Vuong to the north, Nguyen Van Cu to the east, the Ben Nghe Chanel to the south, and Nguyen Thi Nho to the west. Cholon is the predominately Chinese district of Saigon and probably the largest Chinatown in the world. Cholon exists in many ways as a city quite apart from Saigon. The Chinese began to settle the area in the early 1900s and never quite assimilated with the rest of Saigon, which causes a bit of resentment among the greater Vietnamese community. You'll sense the different environment immediately, and not only because of the Chinese-language signs. Cholon is where you might have found dark, exotic opium dens and brothels in the French colonial time, the same opium dens and brothels that greeted American troops.
start with a motorbike or taxi ride to the Binh Tay Market, on Phan Van Khoe Street, which is even more crowded than Ben Thanh and has much the same goods, but with a Chinese flavor. From Binh Tay, head up to Nguyen Trai, the district's main artery, to see Thien Hau pagoda then Quan Am, on Lao Tu Street off Luong Nhu Hoc. Finally, as you follow Nguyen Trai Street past Ly Thuong Kiet, you'll see the Cholon Mosque, the one indication of Cholon's small Muslim community. Address: District 5 & 6, Ho Chi Minh CityPhone: (848) 8336753 - 8359090Directions: Cholon Tourist: 134 Nguyen Tri Phuong St., Ward.9, Dist.5, HCMC, VietnamWebsite: www.cholontourist.com.vn/ Other Contact: Fax: (848) 8355375 - 8307577
|
| | |
Thien Hau is also known as the "Goddess of Sea" by many Chinese. Many sailors, fishermen and travellers would pray to her for safety at sea.
This temple, located in Chinatown (District 5), was built by Cantonese. Take time to visit this temple when you are in Chinatown. You will be amazed by the intricate carvings on the walls and rooftops. Leave a Comment Address: Ba Maieu, Cholon
|
Saigon's Chinatown is in District 5. The heart of this bustling area is the Binh Tay Market. Although it is primarily wholesale, it is well worth a visit for the activity and the shrine in the middle -- where the vendors pay their respects before the work begins.
.
Please visit my Cholon travelogue for more on Cholon. Leave a Comment
|
Visiting Ho Chi Minh City?
Read reviews about Ho Chi Minh City Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
Cholon was formerly a separate city from Saigon. Today, it constitutes the 5th district of it. Cholon means "large market" and represents the great trading centre of the capital of the South with a population of a half-million Vietnameses from Chinese origin, the Hoa.
Here you will find a great variety of huge indoor markets such as An Dong or Binh Tay. During the wee morning hours, these markets are where the Chinese-Vietnamese do their business and bargains are struck. Cholon also has an array of fantastic pagodas and temples. Leave a Comment
|
I'm basically a market fanatic; would not miss the opportunity to check out the markets in all the cities that i visited.
In fact, during my recent trip to Ho Chi Minh, i went to 2 markets; Ben Thanh (you can read abt my review of Ben Thanh market in my travel pages) and Binh Tay. Recollecting my experience abt the latter, i only have this to say: HOT (as in the temperature)!
PS: Check out more Binh Tay market writeup in my Tips pages.
SETTING THE EXPECTATIONS: Go to Binh Tay market for the experience rather than the shopping and you will not be disappointed. and who knows, you might be pleasantly surprised if you manage to pick up something that you like.
SURVIVAL KIT: handheld battery operated fan, a bottle of mineral water, dress light and tie up your hair (for those with long hair like me).
AVOID: Going there with pampered companion travellers who are grouchy and whinny as they will definitely complain abt everything in the market...and this will affect your mood too.
GETTING THERE: By Taxi, of course! The taxi fare from District 3 (where i had beef noodles - read abt it in my Restaurants pages) to Binh Tay market costs about US$12-13. Not sure if i got ripped off (the taxi meter was jumping really fast compared to the other taxis that i've taken). Just to put things into perspective: taxi fare from Binh Tay market back to District 1 was about US$7-8; and from airport to my hotel (Renaissance) only cost about US$5. Not sure if the different taxi companies have different rates but i do know that they have different flag down fare (some start with 14,000 vnd and some with 12,000 vnd). But honestly, dont be fool by the flag down fare as it is peanuts compared to how fast the meter jumps. If anyone knows the math, pls share so that fellow travellers can look out for this. Leave a Comment Address: Cholon, Chinatown
|
| | |
There are a number of pagodas in Cholon. [The Vietnamese use the term "pagoda for any temple] The Thien Hau Pagoda was the one we visited. It reveres both Buddha and the goddess of the sea.
.
The spiral incense cones burn for a month -- inside is a tag that lists the prayer request. Leave a Comment Address: District 5
|
From Bui Vein street (backpacker area), we took a cab down to Binh Tay (with full of expectation to get cheaper goods than Ben Thanh Market). It costs us 46000 dong (about USD 3). According to the taxi driver, it is the biggest market in Ho Chi Minh.
Yes, it is big, but it is not a good place for you if you intend to buy only small volume (< 1 dozen for example) of items. People overthere are selling items in bulks. They will not entertain you as tourist as you are not their main customer. If you need to buy something, you need to make an effort to ask. They will still sell you small quantity if you request. Price is cheaper compare to outside market.
Basically it sells all items except souvenirs (which were what we looked for). We were looking for key chains, egg shell lacquer paintings and wood carving. They do not have that.
You can see people carrying boxes of goods running around. I think this place is a reseller center rather than normal open market. Address: Cholon, District 5 (Chinatown)Directions: Take a metered cab. From Bui Vuin / Pham Ngu Lao, it cost about 46000 dong (abt USD 3)
|
| | |
After visiting Ben Thanh and An Dong, going to Binh Tay Market should not be a neccessity at all if you're looking to buy more local discounted items. Of course you should visit the place to see it's architecture, and also to experience how the Vietnamese people go through their daily lives.
There are also nice little shops surrounding the market. But looking from the other side of the spectrum, Binh Tay Market is more chaotic than An Dong Market, and the shopholders are not too desperate for your business and thus would not try to court you to buy their items. Some may even display signs to say that their items are all fixed price. No chance for discount. Address: Thap Muoi Street, District 5
|
More Ho Chi Minh City Tips Best Ho Chi Minh City Travel Deals Vietnam Hotels
Official Site. Book Now For Great Rates at Sheraton Vietnam Hotel JianChi
Three Delicious Blends to Energize, Clarify or Defend. Try One Today! See The Real Ho Chi Minh
Small Group Trips In Vietnam. Visit Places You Can't Get To On Your Own Sponsored Links |
- New World Hotel Saigon
76 Le Lai St, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - Renaissance Riverside
8 - 15 Ton Duc Thang St District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - Que Huong Liberty 4 Hotel
265 Pham Ngu Lao Street District 5, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - Bong Sen Hotel
117-123 Domg Khoi Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - Renaissance Hotel
8 - 15 Ton Duc Thang St District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - Metropole
148 Tran Hung Dao Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - Windsor Plaza Hotel
18 An Duong Vuong St, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - Asian
47R-148-150 Dong Khoi St., Dist. 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - Windsor Saigon Hotel
63 Nguyen Hue Blvd, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - Hotel Majestic (1 Dong Khoi Street Ho Chi Minh City Vi 70000)
1 Dong Khoi St, Dist 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - Somerset Chancellor Court
21 - 23 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - Sheraton Saigon Htl And Towers
88 Dong Khoi Street District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - Duxton
63 Nguyen Hue Blvd, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - Sofitel Plaza Saigon
17 Le Duan Blvd District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - Legend
2A - 4A Ton Duc Thang St, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
|
on April 13, 2004
on October 12, 2003
on August 31, 2007
on November 4, 2005
on August 18, 2004
on June 22, 2003
on August 14, 2005
on January 11, 2007
on May 1, 2007
