Ho Chi Minh City: Full-Day Cho Lon Chinatown Hidden Gems Tour
Description
EXCLUSIVE deal & Small group-joining (<15 guests) tour which offers complimentary pick-up & drop-off at hotels in Dist.1, Dist.3, Dist.4, HCM City. Explore Cho Lon, Saigon’s historic Chinatown, and uncover the stories behind its growth and identity. Visit a centuries-old temple, walk through specialized market streets, and discover Binh Tay Market and the legacy of Quach Dam. See the broom-making quarter of Binh Tien, learn about the Revolutionary Printing House, and enjoy lunch at a traditional Chinese restaurant. The tour ends at a Taoist temple and District 5 Post Office, where old architecture meets modern city life. A half-day journey into the culture, business spirit, and history of Cho Lon.
Tour Options
Itinerary
08:00 – Pick-up at Saigontourist Travel Service Office (102 Nguyen Hue St., District 1) or hotels in district 1,3,4. Meet your guide and receive a brief introduction to the tour highlights and Vietnamese Lunar New Year (Tet) traditions.
08:30 – Visit On Lang Pagoda - explore one of the most sacred Chinese temples in Saigon. Admire traditional architecture, detailed carvings, and vibrant red-gold colors while learning about Chinese spiritual life.
09:00 – Walk through Cho Lon market streets - pass through Luong Nhu Hoc, Hai Thuong Lan Ong, and nearby specialized markets (fabric, herbal medicine, poultry, dried seafood). Understand how community-based trading shaped economic success.
09:30 – Visit Binh Tay Market - discover the largest wholesale market in Cho Lon and the story of Quach Dam, a self-made businessman who built and donated the market to the community.
10:00 – Visit Binh Tien broom-making quarter - see how Vietnamese migrants preserved their craft and coexisted with Chinese traders, creating economic cooperation across communities.
10:30 – Visit Cho Lon Revolutionary Printing House - learn about underground publishing activities during wartime and the involvement of the Chinese community in Vietnam’s modern history.
11:30 – Lunch at Dong Khanh Restaurant - enjoy signature dishes of the Cho Lon area (drinks not included).
13:00 – Visit Khanh Van Nam Vien - explore a rare Taoist temple that reflects the beliefs of the Yunnan Chinese community.
14:00 – Visit District 5 Post Office & coffee break - relax with one complimentary coffee at Highlands Coffee, located inside the historic post office building.
15:30 – Return to Saigontourist Office or hotels in old District 1, 3, 4. End of tour.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Guest's hotels in District 1, District 3, District 4, Ho Chi Minh city
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(2)
This is a great tour for those who want to go off the beaten track and see hidden temples and other sights no tourist will be able to discover on their own. Vinh is a fantastic guide. Highly recommended.
This was a little gem of a tour with visits to "hidden" temples and places no tourist will be able to discover on their own. So if you're looking for something off the beaten track, this tour is for you. Vinh is a great guide, friendly and very knowledgeable. Highly recommended!
