Chinatown (Chợ Lớn)★★
Distrikt 5 (Chợ Lớn), HCMC
Bình-Tây-Markt: 6:00–18:00
Frei (Dim Sum ab 20.000 VND / 0,74 €)
Chợ Lớn (District 5) is Saigon's Chinatown — and with half a million inhabitants, the largest Chinese community in Southeast Asia outside of China. The name means "Big Market," and that's exactly what Chợ Lớn is: an endless maze of markets, temples, pharmacies, and street food stalls.
Highlights
- Bình Tây Market: The actual main market of Chợ Lớn — a huge, yellow-painted building full of wholesalers, spices, dried seafood, and Chinese medicine. Less touristy than Bến Thành, but more authentic.
- Thiên Hậu Pagoda: The most beautiful Chinese temple in Saigon, dedicated to the sea goddess. Huge incense spirals hang from the ceiling and spread a sweet scent.
- Street Food: Chinese-Vietnamese fusion cuisine: Dim Sum from 6 AM, Hủ Tiếu (rice noodle soup), Chè (sweet dessert soups). More authentic and cheaper than in District 1.
