Cho Lon is a predominantly Chinese-populated area located along the Tau Hu canal, spanning across District 5 and District 6, extending southward to District 8 and northward to District 10 and District 11 in Ho Chi Minh City. This area was previously an independent city separate from Saigon, known as the city of Cholon. During the 1930s-1950s, due to the process of urbanization, Saigon and Cholon gradually merged together. This neighborhood has had a long-standing Chinese community and is considered the largest Chinatown in the world in terms of geographical area
The reason why many people consider Cholon as the second center of Saigon is that over the past hundreds of years, this place has witnessed a bustling population and thriving trade activities. Aside from its vibrant and prosperous appearance, the area also contains rich cultural values and distinctive Eastern architectural features. The major wholesale markets such as Binh Tay, An Dong, and Kim Bien have been operating for centuries, offering an almost limitless range of goods that can be found nowhere else.
Among the notable historical landmarks around the Cholon area, we must mention the Thien Hau Pagoda, Nghia An Congregation House, Minh Huong Gia Thanh Temple, and the Tue Thanh Congregation House, which are constantly filled with the fragrance of incense. Every Mid-Autumn Festival, both adults and children eagerly flock to Luong Nhu Hoc Street to marvel at the vibrant lights of thousands of diverse and colorful lanterns. Cholon is also the cradle of traditional Chinese medicine, with streets dedicated to the business of ancient remedies, such as Hai Thuong Lan Ong
Thien Hau Pagoda
Nghia An Congregation House
Minh Hương Gia Thanh Temple
The Tue Thanh Congregation House
Luong Nhu Hoc Lantern Street
