Cho Lon in Depth: Private Chinatown Heritage Walking Tour

Cho Lon is often introduced simply as Ho Chi Minh City's Chinatown. This private four-hour walk goes further, using its assembly halls, temples, trading streets, food and everyday neighborhood life to understand how different Chinese communities helped shape this part of Saigon. Rather than moving through a checklist of landmarks, the walk connects what you see to migration, commerce, belief and community life. Your guide is trained specifically for this route and its historical and cultural context, and the private format leaves plenty of room for questions and conversation along the way. The route takes in some of Cho Lon's most important religious and community sites, busy trading streets, local snacks, a long-running neighborhood coffee stop and Binh Tay Market. It is designed for travelers who want to understand the area, not simply see its highlights.

1. 1

   Stop 1

   30 min

   Our tour starts at the front courtyard of Nghia An Assembly Hall. Also known by various names such as Quan De Temple and Ong Pagoda, Nghia An Assembly Hall holds great significance within the Teochew community. It serves not only as a vital place of worship for Teochew people in Saigon but also as a precious architectural and artistic masterpiece from the late 19th to the early 20th century. This temple venerates Quan Vu, a renowned figure from the Three Kingdoms period, who symbolizes talent and moral excellence for the Chinese, hence its alternate names Quan De Temple and Ong Pagoda.

2. 2

   Stop 2

   45 min

   Tuệ Thành Assembly Hall, commonly referred to as Thien Hau Temple or Ba Chua Cholon Pagoda, is a religious institution dedicated to the worship of Thien Hau, the Holy Mother. It is one of the oldest places of worship established by the Cantonese Chinese community.

3. 3

   On Lang Pagoda

   30 min

   On Lang Pagoda, also known as Ôn Lăng Assembly Hall, Quan Âm Temple, or Ông Lào Temple, is a Vietnamese-Chinese temple belong to the Hokkien Chinese community. It was dedicated to the worship of Thiên Hậu Thánh Mẫu and various folk deities of the Chinese people. Later, the hall also enshrined Quan Âm Bodhisattva, hence the name Quan Âm Temple.

4. 4

   Stop 4

   45 min

   Enjoy the local market with street food, one of the oldest coffee stall in the city and a traditional Cantonese snack.

5. 5

   Stop 5

   30 min

   One of the oldest churches in the Chinatown area, St Francis Xavier Church is an excellent masterpiece of Franco-Chinese architecture with Vietnamese influence.

6. 6

   Binh Tay Market

   30 min

   Also known as Cho Lon (the Grand Market), Binh Tay Market is famous for its unusual structure for an Asian market, with a big inner courtyard and Sino-French architecture. The market, which has been built in 1928, is one of Vietnam's most important wholesales markets. Our tour also concludes here.

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• This is a walking tour, with approximately one hour of walking in total between the included stops and other points of interest along the route.
• Infants may join free of charge, but please note that the tour does not provide infant-specific facilities and includes extended walking outdoors in typical city conditions.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.