Ho Chi Minh City Trip Overview
It is hard to imagine that something is even more vibrant and alive than downtown Ho Chi Minh City, but Cho Lon is just that kind of place. With its distinctly Chinese character, the sounds, sights and smells of Saigon’s Chinatown are home to the Minh Huong (Chinese origin) and are worth half a day of exploration. This morning tour will take you to the heart that it is so traditional Cho Lon and learn more about the values, cultural differences and religious practices that define this part of Ho Chi Minh City.
• Wander through the old streets and alleys of Cho Lon
• Learn about the Chinese way of living in Saigon
• See how bargaining continues to fill the air of the city
• Pay respect to the Goddess of the Sea at Thien Hau
• Try some of the local snacks and dishes, unique to Vietnam
Additional Info
Duration: 5 hours
Starts: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Trip Category: Tours & Sightseeing >> Half-day Tours
Explore Ho Chi Minh City Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Vietnam
It is hard to imagine that something is even more vibrant and alive than downtown Ho Chi Minh City, but Cho Lon is just that kind of place. With its distinctly Chinese character, the sounds, sights and smells of Saigon’s Chinatown are home to the Minh Huong (Chinese origin) and are worth half a day of exploration. This morning tour will take you to the heart that it is so traditional Cho Lon and learn more about the values, cultural differences and religious practices that define this part of Ho Chi Minh City.
• Wander through the old streets and alleys of Cho Lon
• Learn about the Chinese way of living in Saigon
• See how bargaining continues to fill the air of the city
• Pay respect to the Goddess of the Sea at Thien Hau
• Try some of the local snacks and dishes, unique to Vietnam
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Chinatown (Cho Lon) – District 5, Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam
We will pick you up from your hotel in Ho Chi Ming City at around 8 am. Known as Ho Chi Minh City’s Chinatown, Cho Lon is where visitors will explore the various sights and sounds of Vietnam’s tight connection with Chinese heritage. Home of landmarks such as the Thien Hau Pagoda and the bustling Binh Tay Market, Cho Lon lies in the heart of the city and just west of the Saigon River. Often crowded and brimming with life, it is here where back-alley exploration and looking for authenticity comes to life.
Our tour commences with a walk through colourful merchant streets and markets in Cho Lon to learn how the Minh Huong community has been integrating into Vietnamese life. The overwhelming atmosphere will give each visitor immediately the feeling that they are in something really special. It takes almost half of one of Ho Chi Minh’s main districts!
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: St Francis Xavier Church, 25 Học Lạc, Phường 14, Quận 5, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
During our walk, we visit the Francis Xavier Church, built for Chinese Christians which witnessed the last prayer of President Ngo Dinh Diem and his brother on the fatal morning of his passing.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Bà Thiên Hậu Temple, 710 Đ. Nguyễn Trãi, Phường 11, Quận 5, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 70000, Vietnam
In the heart of Cho Lon, you can find the Thien Hau Pagoda. It was built by Cantonese in the 19th century and dedicated to Thien Hau – the Goddess of the Sea -, who was known for saving people who run into trouble when travelling over water. Recorded as one of the oldest temples in the city, the Thien Hau Pagoda is known to be a popular meeting point for the Chinese community, both for paying respect and meeting friends and family. Mingle beneath the large coils of suspended incense in Chinese Assembly hall, this temple certainly will bring forward some Instagrammable moments. The decorative ceramic figurine, the altars and worshipping objects will reveal untold stories, such as the arrival of Marco Polo or legends of Yue Lao ”God of Marriage”.
Before we drive back to your downtown hotel at around 1 pm, a selection of Chinese delicacies and the use of local means of transportation will complete your tasty immersion.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
