Discover the authentic culture of
Hochiminh city or Saigon 's Chinatown on a journey through the quaint alleyways of Cholon. Just a few steps away from the busy main street, the narrow paths of Cholon transport you to a world unlike any other.
As you stroll from the Ba Thien Hau Temple to Quan Am Pagoda, be prepared to be amazed by the tiny streets that are so small that even a bike may struggle to pass through. The locals, however, make it seem effortless. Make sure to keep an eye out for the tangled overhead electrical cables, which you wouldn't typically see in a Western country.
Take your time to admire the small, compressed homes of the locals, who will greet you with smiling faces and friendly waves from their doorsteps. The aroma of traditional cooking and the sound of ancient Chinese fill the air, making you feel as though you have stepped back in time to a traditional Chinese city.
Many guests consider this part of the tour to be one of the most memorable and unique experiences. With its picturesque scenery, it's the perfect place to snap photos that will last a lifetime.
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Looking like a narrow path from the outside, it is easy to see why you’d be surprised by what you witness down these types of alleys. What you are about to discover turns out to be the bustling little lanes that have created the core culture of this community for centuries past – a truly untouched part of tourism that is essential to witness.
As soon as you venture through the entrance, you must take a moment to gaze at what’s in front of you. What you can see here is an alleyway with barely enough room for vehicles to get past, small independent food, beverage and clothing retailers earning their livings, elderly locals sitting by the side of the road just watching the world pass by and a maze of electrical wires powering the whole neighbourhood, hanging less than a metre above your head.
ere you can see locals going about their daily lives. A gentleman has stopped to collect a
coffee drinking culture to energise him for his afternoon of work. A lady is sitting in her living room after just serving him. Uncommon for an environment like this in the western world, it should be appreciated as it is how this beautiful part of the world works.
Venturing further down the narrow passage, you begin to find the end, a steady 2-minute walk feels like an eternity as you take in the culture amongst the surroundings. You are amazed at what you see and take an image to portray that sustains your amazement – a small token holding the memory you’ve just created. A local man gazes upon, unfazed by what is happening beyond his eyes as he is used to everything in his neighbourhood.
As you get towards the end you glance at every path to the left and can witness locals riding motorbikes at ease. Summing up the adaptability required to live in this location in one photo.
Discover the rich culture and history of the Chinese community in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon) by joining us on a Tales of Cho Lon tour
