{"id":6518,"date":"2021-04-19T11:46:44","date_gmt":"2021-04-19T03:46:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/?p=6518"},"modified":"2022-03-04T16:31:47","modified_gmt":"2022-03-04T08:31:47","slug":"things-to-do-saigon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/things-to-do-saigon\/","title":{"rendered":"Things To Do In Saigon’s District 5, Home To Chinese Dishes Loved For Decades"},"content":{"rendered":"

Things to do in District 5<\/h2>\n
\n

District 5<\/strong> is the core of the old Ch\u1ee3 L\u1edbn<\/strong> area, a commercial and residential ward dedicated to Chinese immigrants in Saigon in the early 18th century before it was merged with Saigon.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Packed with historical and cultural depth, it is considered the most well-preserved living museum of the old Saigon area – also known as Ch\u1ee3 L\u1edbn<\/strong>. Until today, the term <\/span>Ch\u1ee3 L\u1edbn <\/span>is still widely used among locals when referring to neighborhoods heavily occupied by Vietnamese Chinese communities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

1. Eat Chinese food, from dim sum\u00a0<\/em>to\u00a0dumplings<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

\"Saigon
\nHong Kong-style fried crab<\/em>
\nImage credit: <\/span>@quan5dininghouse\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

There\u2019s an age-old saying known for those who are in Saigon and not sure where to eat: \u201cEat in District 5. Stay in District 3. Have fun in District 1.\u201d (\u201c\u0102n qu\u1eadn 5. N\u1eb1m qu\u1eadn 3. Xa hoa Qu\u1eadn Nh\u1ee9t.\u201d<\/em>) This saying basically means that District 5 is the best place for food, District 3 has beautiful streets and villas people wouldn\u2019t mind living next to, while District 1 offers a labyrinth of top-class entertainment.<\/p>\n

\"Saigon
\nDim sum in District 5<\/em>
\nImage credit: <\/span>@eatingwithtitu<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Restaurants run by the Chinese communities of District 5 show their long culinary history dating back for more than 1,800 years.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Saigon
\nImage credit: <\/span><\/i>@<\/span><\/i>h.29.8<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

Chinese food has a variety of unique flavors, cooking styles from different regions, rich meanings, and meticulous presentation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You\u2019ll be spoiled for choice with the food scene <\/span>here<\/span>, including the most authentic and possibly cheapest Chinese foods in town, sold by aunties and uncles on old food carts or in decades-old eateries.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Some of the most iconic foods to sample include Peking duck, dumplings (<\/span>har gow <\/span><\/em>in Cantonese), and pork organ soups (ph\u00e1 l\u1ea5u<\/em>). The price range is between <\/span>VND70,000-VND300,000 (~USD3.02-USD12.94)<\/b> per dish.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

2. Visit the H\u00e0o S\u0129 Ph\u01b0\u1eddng Alley (<\/strong>\u8c6a\u4ed5\u574a) for a glimpse of pre-war Cho Lon<\/b><\/h3>\n
\n

\"Saigon
\nImage credit: @im.phuc_vu\u00a0<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

District 5 is full of valuable historical monuments and age-old architecture in mazes of alleyways that survived wartime upheavals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

H\u00e0o S\u0129 Ph\u01b0\u1eddng,<\/b> or <\/span>\u8c6a\u4ed5\u574a<\/b>, <\/b>is one of these – a tranquil alley in District 5 over a hundred years old, it’s where the old way of life is still maintained.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Saigon
\n<\/span><\/i>Image credit: <\/span>@lily_t.r.a.n_\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The alley is made up of 2-storey apartment buildings housing small households, and still retaining old characteristics such as vintage balcony railings painted in blue, metal folding doors, altars on the exterior walls, clothes hanging between households, and Chinese verses on red paper displayed all over the place.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Saigon
\nImage credit: <\/span><\/em>@thienthichchup<\/span><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Here you\u2019ll see glimpses of Chinese community life hidden behind nondescript gates: old women drying their hair in the wind, old men sitting at a checkerboard playing chess, and children riding bicycles all around.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Address:<\/b>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>206\/17 Tr\u1ea7n H\u01b0ng \u0110\u1ea1o, Ward 11<\/span>, <\/span>District 5, Ho Chi Minh City\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

3. Visit Chinese pagodas and communal houses<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

\"Saigon
\nThi\u00ean H\u1eadu pagoda<\/em>
\nImage credit: <\/span>@hoangluu2204\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

As the heart of the Chinese community, District 5 is naturally also home to the most well-preserved pagodas, temples, and<\/strong><\/span> communal houses<\/strong> in Saigon.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Saigon
\nImage adapted from: @amydang18_<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Pagodas are a well-known sight all over Vietnam, but communal houses are less familiar to visitors. Since the 18th century, the Chinese community in Vietnam developed rapidly and regularly hosted meetings in their ethnic groups\u2019 communal houses to discuss community affairs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Saigon
\nNgh\u0129a An communal house -\u7fa9\u5b89\u6703\u9928\u00a0<\/em>
\nImage credit: <\/span>@h_sdwsk\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

For example, the Nh\u1ecb Ph\u1ee7 temple was the communal house of the Fujian community, while Ngh\u0129a An temple was the common property of the Teochew community.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Start your visit at 264 H\u1ea3i Th\u01b0\u1ee3ng L\u00e3n \u00d4ng Street, where the\u00a0 Nh\u1ecb Ph\u1ee7 temple and communal house built in the 17th century witnessed the 2nd largest wave of Chinese settlement in Vietnam in the 18th century.<\/p>\n

\"Saigon
\nNh\u1ecb Ph\u1ee7 Temple
\n<\/span>Image credit: <\/span>@tiensaggitarius<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Unlike other pagodas in Ch\u1ee3 L\u1edbn worshipping Tianhou (also known as Mazu, the goddess of the sea), or Guanyu (a legendary military general), this temple is dedicated to the god of wealth \u00d4ng B\u1ed5n from the Han dynasty.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Made of brick around a wooden frame, it boasts curved tiled roofs and plenty of bas-reliefs, and will give you a glimpse of the way of life in Ch\u1ee3 L\u1edbn centuries ago.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nh\u1ecb Ph\u1ee7 temple and communal house<\/b><\/p>\n

Address: <\/b><\/span>264 H\u1ea3i Th\u01b0\u1ee3ng L\u00e3n \u00d4ng, Ward 14, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City
\n<\/b>Opening hours: <\/b><\/span>7AM-6PM, Daily<\/p>\n

Ngh\u0129a An temple and communal house<\/b><\/p>\n

Address:<\/span> <\/strong>676 Nguy\u1ec5n Tr\u00e3i, Ward 11, District 5, <\/span>Ho Chi Minh City
\n<\/b>Opening hours:<\/span> <\/strong>7AM-6PM, Daily<\/p>\n

\n

4. Shop for Eastern medicinal herbs<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

\"Saigon
\nD\u0169 H\u01b0ng medicinal store on H\u1ea3i Th\u01b0\u1ee3ng L\u00e3n \u00d4ng Street
\n<\/span>Image credit: <\/span>@ledangkhoa.ldk<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

For those with mild ailments or who are looking to explore another traditional side of Chinatown, District 5 also has plenty of shops selling Eastern medicine<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

L\u01b0\u01a1ng Nh\u1eef H\u1ecdc street is among Saigon’s most popular places to buy Eastern medicinal herbs, while H\u1ea3i Th\u01b0\u1ee3ng L\u00e3n \u00d4ng Street is Vietnam’s largest hub for these herbs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Saigon
\nH\u1ea1nh \u0110\u1ee9c \u0110\u01b0\u1eddng medicinal store on the ground of a colonial apartment building<\/em>
\nImage credit: <\/span>@jia.roo<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

These streets are lined up with mom-and-pop shops dedicated to selling all manner of traditional herbs, from gotu kola<\/em> to astragalus to ginseng.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

5. Check in at the Lantern Streets in the evening for souvenir shopping<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

\"Saigon
\nImage adapted from: @Cholondowntown<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Visit <\/span>H\u1ea3i Th\u01b0\u1ee3ng L\u00e3n \u00d4ng<\/b> and <\/span>L\u01b0\u01a1ng Nh\u1eef H\u1ecdc Street<\/b>, and you\u2019ll be greeted with a maze of shops selling all types of lanterns, Chinese ornaments, and calligraphy paintings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Saigon
\nImage credit: @nuchita_omega<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

On special occasions such as the Moon Festival or the Lunar New Year, the street is awash with red colors from a plethora of lanterns and red verses spilling onto the streets.<\/span><\/p>\n

Come a few days to weeks in advance before these occasions to get these celebratory items. Here’s a mid-autumn festival toy shopping list<\/a> so you’ll know what to take home.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

6. Visit St. Jeanne d\u2019Arc Church and Cha Tam Church for some tranquil sights<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

\"Saigon
\nSt. Jeanne d\u2019Arc Church<\/em>
\nImage credit: <\/span>@iceicethailand<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

There are plenty of churches in District 5, but the <\/span>St. Jeanne d\u2019Arc Church <\/b>that\u2019s been around since 1928<\/span> is probably the most majestic in size and design. Situated on 116A H\u00f9ng V\u01b0\u01a1ng Street facing 6 crowded junctions, it\u2019s not difficult to spot the church as one enters the centre of District 5.<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Built in Romanesque style, the church features a length of 60 meters and width of 16 meters with a high vaulted nave. It has a 47-meter-high bell tower consisting of five bells, all imported from France.<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Those who are keen to attend masses in the church can drop by at 5AM, 7AM, 9AM, or 4PM on Sundays.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Saigon
\nCha Tam Church<\/em>
\nImage credit: <\/span>@<\/span>medeschen<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Located on 25 H\u1ecdc L\u1ea1c Street, the architecture of Cha Tam Church is a unique blend of Roman and Chinese vernacular elements.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite the sweeping use of Romanesque elements in its architecture, one can still see Chinese influences here, such as yin-yang tiled roofs, three-gate entrance, a Chinese pavilion in the courtyard, Chinese characters engraved on the church wall, and the four main pillars in the chapel painted red – not a popular color in Catholicism.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Saigon
\nImage credit: @alex_creative_director\u00a0<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Cha Tam Church also holds historical significance. In 1963, Ng\u00f4 \u0110\u00ecnh Di\u1ec7m, the president of South Vietnam, and his brother offered their last prayers here before they were killed by <\/span>coup d’etat <\/span><\/i>forces moments later.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

7.\u00a0 Tour a Muslim mosque & dine at a halal<\/em> restaurant<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

\"Saigon
\nImage credit: <\/span>TripAdvisor\/TRANDUCDANTHINH<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

There aren\u2019t many Muslims in Vietnam, which makes the existence of an Islamic mosque<\/strong> in a a neighborhood steeped in Chinese culture even more surprising. <\/span>The mosque is situated next to X\u00e3 T\u00e2y market and easy to find.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Saigon
\nImage adapted from: <\/span>TripAdvisor\/Nigel G<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Built in 1932, the <\/span>mosque functioned as a place of worship for South Indian and Cham Muslim communities living around the Ch\u1ee3 L\u1edbn area back then.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Cholon
\nImage adapted from: <\/span>Mohammad Ori Yar<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

It has a main hall, a verandah, administrative offices, and a small pool for worshippers to perform their <\/span>wudu <\/span><\/em>cleansing rituals before prayer. <\/span>If you\u2019re feeling peckish, check out <\/span>Halal 641 Muslim<\/b><\/a>, also in the compound, for some delicious Malaysian dishes prepared by ethnic Cham cooks.\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Saigon
\nGoat curry and prata<\/em>
\nImage credit: <\/span>Thanh Huynh<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Address:<\/span> <\/b>641 Nguy\u1ec5n Tr\u00e3i, Ward 11, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City
\n<\/span>Opening hours: <\/b><\/span>8AM-8PM, Daily
\n<\/span>Telephone:<\/b><\/span> 028 3950 8661<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

8. Attend Yuan Xiao Jie (T\u1ebft Nguy\u00ean Ti\u00eau<\/em>) – the Lantern Festival parade\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

\"Saigon
\nImage credit: @mwolf33<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Not only does the Lantern Festival<\/strong> (Yuan Xiao Jie in Chinese or T\u1ebft Nguy\u00ean Ti\u00eau<\/em> in Vietnamese) receive massive popularity in Chinese-speaking countries, but it is also considered a national heritage festival in Vietnam.<\/span><\/p>\n

In celebration of the first full moon after the Lunar New Year, the Lantern Festival usually falls in February or the first week of March, and is also the most anticipated festival following the Lunar New Year or Tet holiday<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Saigon
\nImage credit: @tonytengteng<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The parade takes place mainly on the streets of the District 5, District 6, and District 11 areas colloquially known as Ch\u1ee3 L\u1edbn.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Normally lasting 2 days, the Lantern Festival parade boasts lion dance performances from various lion dance clubs in the city, as well as Chinese processions featuring locals who dress up in Chinese costumes representing different Chinese dialect groups, or like famous Chinese mythological figures such as Sun Wu Kong (the Monkey God), Zhu Ba Jie (the pig deity), and Guan Yu (the military general).<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Saigon
\nLanterns adorning Ngh\u0129a An communal house during the festival<\/em>
\nImage credit: <\/span>@d.c.khang<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

This annual parade is so anticipated that it draws thousands of people from other districts looking to get a glimpse of Chinese culture all the way to District 5 every year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

9. Having an authentic Chinese dining experience at An Duy\u00ean – Ch\u1ee3 L\u1edbn<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

\"Saigon
\nImage credit: @anduyen.Ch\u1ee3 L\u1edbn<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

District 5 is packed with restaurants, but not many feature a strictly Chinese-themed dining space like An Duy\u00ean-Ch\u1ee3 L\u1edbn.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Saigon
\nImage credit: @hanhtinhso23<\/a><\/em>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Booth sofas and red metal chairs, red pendant lamps with warm lighting, vintage movie posters, a food cart built in traditional Chinese style, and the bar seats here all remind us of Hong Kong in the last century.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Saigon
\nSandwich and boiled egg combo<\/em>
\n<\/span>Image credit: <\/span>@hanhtinhso23<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The restaurant serves an extensive menu of Chinese delicacies with vegan-friendly options, from stir-fried <\/span>Hong Kong bok choy (VND55,000,~USD2.37<\/b>), to <\/span>Fujian noodles fried with vermicelli and shrimps (VND115,000,~USD4.95).<\/b><\/p>\n

Early visitors can have a Hong Kong-style breakfast here with a buttery sandwich coated with cade<\/em> paste coupled with boiled eggs, and a cup of tea.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For more Hong Kong-themed dining in Saigon, check out our Hong Kong-themed restaurant guide <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Address:<\/span> <\/b>15 Tr\u1ea7n Di\u1ec7n, Ward 10, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City
\n<\/span>Opening hours:<\/b> <\/span>7AM-1PM | 5PM-10PM, Daily
\n<\/span>Telephone:<\/span> <\/b>028 6298 8668<\/span><\/p>\n

Website<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

\n

10. Drink coffee at Cam Cam Kafe with a view over a Fujian communal house<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

\"Saigon
\nImage adapted from: TripAdvisor\/thanhtung d<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Cam Cam Kafe<\/b> doesn\u2019t have an impressive Chinese-themed setting or a specially curated selection of drinks, but it holds the distinction of a unique view over Ha Chuong temple and communal house, a Fujian-style structure built in 1807.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hidden on the 2nd floor of a colonial apartment building, Cam Cam Kafe offers a tiny and serene space with balcony seating.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Saigon
\nImage credit:<\/span> TripAdvisor\/Celine<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

From the balcony, guests can enjoy what can\u2019t be seen from a pedestrian viewpoint: an extensive range of tiled roofs with a shade of orange, articulately adorned with various figurines and motifs on the edges.\u00a0 It\u2019s the orange color of the roofs that inspired the name of the coffee shop, as \u201ccam\u201d means orange.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Apart from the unique view, the coffee shop also displays a good selection of vintage books for guests to read, knick-knacks of the bygone days, and a nice music playlist.<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

The shop\u2019s menu runs from coffee to juices to yogurt to cocktails and wine. You can beat the afternoon heat with <\/span>lime juice (VND30,000, ~USD1.29)<\/b>, or jazz up the evening with a shot of <\/span>vodka (VND70,000, ~USD3.01).<\/b><\/p>\n

\"Saigon
\nImage adapted from: <\/i>Cam cam kafe<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

Address:<\/span> <\/b>806\/5e Nguy\u1ec5n Tr\u00e3i, Ward 14, <\/span>District 5, Ho Chi Minh City
\n<\/span>Opening hours:<\/b> <\/span>9AM-10PM, Daily
\n<\/span>Telephone: <\/b><\/span>098 809 80 10<\/span><\/p>\n

Website<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

\n

11. Sing your heart out at ICOOL Karaoke<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

\"Saigon
\nImage credit: Karaoke ICOOL<\/a><\/em>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

To have a ball of a time with your friends and family after a full day exploring Ch\u1ee3 L\u1edbn\u2019s heritage, check out <\/span>ICOOL Karaoke.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

There are many karaoke studios in Saigon, but <\/span>ICOOL Karaoke is the first karaoke studio decked out in Chinese-themed decor<\/b>: numerous Hong Kong street-themed neon signs, vintage photo prints all over the walls, and muted lighting effects.<\/span><\/p>\n

The studio has over 20 private singing rooms, each fitting up to 50 people. <\/span>With a selection of state-of-the-art speakers such as JBL, BIK, mic BETA 3, MAINGO, and games such as billiards and drinking wheels, guests can enjoy the ultimate party experience here. <\/span>A 1-hour singing package in a room ranges from <\/span>VND160,000 to VND220,000 (~USD6.89-USD9.48).\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

\"Saigon
\nImage credit: Karaoke ICOOL<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re not a partier and looking for a frills-free singing experience to blow off some steam, head to one of the air-conditioned karaoke booths that are solo singer-friendly and charge by the quarter- or half-hour.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Address:<\/b> <\/span>878 Nguy\u1ec5n Tr\u00e3i Ward, Ward 14, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City
\n<\/span>Opening hours: <\/b><\/span>9AM-3AM, Daily
\n<\/span>Telephone<\/b>: <\/span><\/span>1900 779 936<\/span><\/p>\n

Website<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

\n

12. Have a haircut at A X\u00fac Barber Shop (Ti\u1ec7m h\u1edbt t\u00f3c A X\u00fac)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

\"Saigon
\nIn the collage: HK actors Raymond Lam, Chow Yun-Fat, Joe Ma, Nicholas Tse, and Bowie Lam.<\/em>
\nImage credit: <\/span>Ch\u1ee3 L\u1edbn Downtown<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re a guy looking for a cheap haircut in a renowned barber shop steeped in retro vibes, drop by <\/span>A X\u00fac Barber Shop.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Situated on the 2nd floor of An B\u00ecnh apartment building in District 5, this barber shop is obscured from public view but renowned among the Ch\u1ee3 L\u1edbn community after over decades of operation.<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Saigon
\nImage credit: Ch\u1ee3 L\u1edbn Downtown<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Without trying to draw customers with high-end facilities or advertising, A X\u00fac barbershop doesn\u2019t even have social media and has a humble appearance that can hardly be found anywhere else in Saigon nowadays.<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Saigon
\nHair shaving brush, hair spray, straight razor, lice removal tools, and ear wax removal tools.
\n<\/span>Image credit: <\/span><\/em>Ch\u1ee3 L\u1edbn Downtown<\/span><\/em>
\n<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

A X\u00fac Barber Shop charges only <\/span>VND15,000 (~USD0.64)<\/b> for a haircut, which is surprisingly low. These days, a man\u2019s haircut in any barber shop in Saigon nowadays ranges from <\/span>VND30,000-VND100,000 (~USD1.28-USD4.27).\u00a0<\/b>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s always a sweeping sense of intimacy in the barber shop, as both the barbers and their loyal customers tend to communicate in Chinese languages here.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

13. Buy fabrics at So\u00e1i K\u00ecnh L\u00e2m textile market<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

\"Saigon
\nImage credit: @aeredy<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The next time you plan to get a tailored \u00e1o d\u00e0i, cheongsam, or menswear for a formal event, add <\/span>So\u00e1i K\u00ecnh L\u00e2m Market<\/b> to your go-to list for fabrics.\u00a0<\/span>So\u00e1i K\u00ecnh L\u00e2m Market<\/span> is the oldest and largest textile market in Saigon, open since 1989, and fondly named <\/span>the Silk Road<\/span>. <\/span>Its clientele includes tailors, customers buying fabrics for <\/span>\u00e1o d\u00e0i<\/span><\/em>, performers, and wholesale traders from nearby provinces.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Saigon
\nImage credit: @goddesskimmie\u00a0<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The market is made up of nearly 100 stalls selling a wide variety of fabrics such as linen, cotton, silk, and brocades. Prices range from less than USD1 to over USD20 per meter.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Saigon
\nImage credit: <\/span>@chuyencuacucai<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

What\u2019s unique about this market is that each stall sells only one particular fabric type. For example, <\/span>some sell only silk while others specialize in brocade or velvet. <\/span>If you ask the merchants where to buy a certain type of fabric, they will point you straight to the stall that sells it, so you won\u2019t spend too much time searching.<\/span><\/p>\n

The market is situated in an old corner of Tr\u1ea7n H\u01b0ng \u0110\u1ea1o Street, so you\u2019ll see many stalls in colonial shophouses here that still retain many elements of the past.<\/span><\/p>\n

Address:<\/b><\/span> \u0110\u1ed3ng Kh\u00e1nh Plaza, <\/span>481 Tr\u1ea7n H\u01b0ng \u0110\u1ea1o, Ward 14, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City
\n<\/span>Opening hours:<\/span> <\/b>7AM-4.30AM, Daily<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

14. Find affordable goods at An \u0110\u00f4ng Market<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

\"Saigon
\nImage credit: @cholondowntown<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

If you want to negotiate to your heart\u2019s content with every purchase, the only place where you can do so is in a market, where vendors are open to bargaining.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Saigon
\nImage credit: @shauna7604<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

At <\/span>An \u0110\u00f4ng <\/b>M<\/strong>arket, <\/b>one of the largest wholesale markets in Saigon since 1951, you’ll find a dizzying array of goods, from dry food to cooking ingredients to fashion.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Saigon
\nImage adapted from: @gareths.negative<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The most frequented area here is the fashion zone, famous for selling some of the cheapest fashion selling a wide array of textiles and clothes, ranging from casual wear to business wear to shoes to ready-made \u00e1o d\u00e0i.<\/em>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Compared to the more renowned B\u1ebfn Th\u00e0nh Market and B\u00ecnh Tay Market, An \u0110\u00f4ng market offers many items at a slightly lower price point (about 5%-10% cheaper). It is also <\/span>frequented by fashion shop owners looking for a good deal with their bulk purchases, so try to haggle a little like they do when purchasing anything here. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"Saigon<\/i><\/a>
\nImage credit: @mrshungryghost<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

If you are not fluent in Vietnamese but have a good command of Mandarin or Cantonese, you can still have a good bargaining session at An \u0110\u00f4ng Market as most of the vendors here, if not all, are of Chinese origin and able to communicate in Chinese languages.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We recommend always shopping on a full stomach so your mental faculties are at full power. Before heading for the clothing vendors, you can visit the food court on the ground floor to sample a myriad of Vietnamese-Chinese comfort foods such as pho<\/em>, crepes, dumplings, and desserts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The market also sells a well-curated selection of dry fruits, tea, and coffee beans that you can fill your pantry with.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Address:<\/span> <\/b>18, 34-36 An D\u01b0\u01a1ng V\u01b0\u01a1ng, Ward 9, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City
\n<\/span>Opening hours: <\/b><\/span>5.30AM-8PM, Daily<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

15. Shop and watch folk art performances at Garden Mall<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

\"SaigonImage credit: <\/span>The Garden Mall<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The Garden Mall <\/b>has a gamut of F&B offerings, from Korean BBQ to Japanese food to Taiwanese milk tea. You can even enjoy authentic\u00a0 Chinese cuisine in the comfortably air-conditioned Cocochin Ch\u1ee3 L\u1edbn food court.<\/p>\n

Brand-savvy fashionistas can see the latest from Nike, Charles & Keith, PUMA, Adidas, and more here. <\/span>But the most unique part about the mall has to be <\/span>Th\u00e9atre de Ch\u1ee3 L\u1edbn, <\/b>a theatre that regularly features Chinese and Vietnamese folk performances.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"SaigonImage credit: <\/span>The Garden Mall<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

After a full day of fun shopping and eating here, you can visit the theatre and enjoy a fun show at this inclusive theater – the first located in a city mall in Saigon. Prices vary by performance.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re interested in checking out more malls in Ho Chi Minh City, we\u2019ve got you covered <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Address:<\/span> <\/b>190 H\u1ed3ng B\u00e0ng, Ward 12, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City
\n<\/span>Opening hours:<\/b> <\/span>10AM-10PM, Daily
\n<\/span>Telephone:<\/span> <\/b>0888 938 855<\/span><\/p>\n

Website<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Things to do in Saigon’s District 5<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

Home to Saigon’s largest Vietnamese-Chinese community, District 5 is where you can discover vibrant Chinese and Cantonese influences in the city.<\/p>\n

From centuries-old historic gems to traditional Chinese dishes with a Vietnamese twist, District 5 has a lot to offer history buffs and local foodies.<\/p>\n

Also check out:<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n