District 5 accommodation from AU$23

Keeping with the size record, Cholon is the largest Chinatown in Vietnam, technically covering the western half of District 5 and spilling over into District 6. The atmosphere here is real, with sights, crowds and smells that will have you believing you caught a plane to China by accident. It’s all part of the experience. You’ll get to see the Buddhist Quan Âm Pagoda, which has two courtyards and inner chambers, but the top sight in Cholon is undoubtedly Bình Tây Market. You can rub shoulders with buyers and workers as you shop for fresh produce, Vietnamese silks and other fabrics.

Beyond its focal points, the streets of Chinatown are best explored by foot or on Cyclo taxis if you want to take in the atmosphere. Its two most prominent festivals are Tet Nguyen Tieu, the September lantern festival which fills the streets with lights, and Tet Nguyen Dan, Chinese New Year in January or February which is definitely spectacularly fun but also noisy – you’ll be burnt out on fireworks by the end!

Cholon is for the traveller who wants to embed themselves in culture, and truthfully what better part of travel is there? Book your Chinatown accommodation and flight to Ho Chi Minh City with us today!