🏮 District 5 (Quận 5)

Chợ Lớn, Saigon's Chinatown — temples, wholesale markets, Chinese-Vietnamese food, major hospitals

What's the area like?

District 5 is Saigon's Chinatown, known as Chợ Lớn ('big market'). Ethnic Chinese (người Hoa) have lived here for generations, so you'll find Chinese-character signs, old assembly-hall temples (hội quán), wholesale markets and a traditional-medicine street.

New ward names: since 1 July 2025 districts (quận) no longer exist, and the wards of former District 5 were merged into 3 phường.
- phường Chợ Quán — former Wards 1, 2 and 4
- phường An Đông — former Wards 5, 7 and 9 (An Đông Market side)
- phường Chợ Lớn — former Wards 11, 12, 13 and 14 (Thiên Hậu Temple and Chợ Rẫy Hospital side)
Old names still work: people still often say Quận 5 (District 5). Drivers will understand 'Quận 5' or 'Chợ Lớn'.
Main streets: Nguyễn Trãi (clothing shops, temples), Trần Hưng Đạo, Hồng Bàng (hospitals), An Dương Vương, Hải Thượng Lãn Ông (herbal medicine street)

Local tips & warnings

With tourists, wholesale traders, hospital patients, cargo motorbikes and carts, the streets get very congested during the day. Visit the markets early in the morning.
In crowded places like the markets and the lantern street, carry your phone and bag in front. Watch out for motorbike snatchers too.
Wholesale markets work on 'lấy sỉ' (buying wholesale), so if you buy just one item you may be quoted a high price. Compare prices at several stalls.
When visiting temples, wear clothes covering your shoulders and knees. There's lots of incense smoke, so bring a mask if your eyes or throat are sensitive.
It's at its most colorful around Lunar New Year (Tết) and the Mid-Autumn Festival (Trung thu), but also at its most crowded.
When giving an address, say both the old name 'Quận 5' and the new name 'phường Chợ Lớn / An Đông / Chợ Quán' to be sure.

Places to visit

Chùa Bà Thiên Hậu (Thiên Hậu Temple)

Chinese temple · phường Chợ Lớn (former Ward 11)

An old Cantonese temple dedicated to Thiên Hậu, goddess of the sea, famous for the coiled incense (nhang vòng) hanging from the ceiling.

Usually open 06:30–16:30. Very crowded during its festival (22–24 of the 3rd lunar month) and over Tết.

📍 710 Nguyễn Trãi

checked 2026-02

Chùa Ông — Hội quán Nghĩa An

Chinese temple (Guan Yu) · phường Chợ Lớn (former Ward 11)

A Teochew assembly hall dedicated to Guan Yu (Quan Công), within walking distance of Thiên Hậu Temple.

Usually open 06:00–17:00. Some sources list it at number 676.

📍 678 Nguyễn Trãi

checked 2026-02

Chùa Ông Bổn (Nhị Phủ Temple)

Chinese temple · phường Chợ Lớn (former Ward 14)

One of Chợ Lớn's oldest Chinese temples, on the herbal medicine street (Hải Thượng Lãn Ông), so it pairs well with a walk down the street.

📍 264 Hải Thượng Lãn Ông

checked 2025-11

Nhà thờ Cha Tam (Cha Tam Church)

Church · phường Chợ Lớn (former Ward 14)

St. Francis Xavier Church, built around 1900, mixing Gothic style with Chinese touches.

Mass and opening times aren't in our sources. Avoid taking photos during Mass.

📍 25 Học Lạc

checked 2025-01

Phố lồng đèn Lương Nhữ Học (Lantern Street)

Street · Photo spot · phường Chợ Lớn (former Ward 11)

A short street of lantern (lồng đèn) shops, at its most dazzling around the Mid-Autumn Festival (Trung thu, 8th lunar month).

Very crowded 7–10 p.m. and on weekends. Watch for pickpockets. Outside Mid-Autumn season there's not much to see.

📍 Lương Nhữ Học (stretch between Nguyễn Trãi and Trần Hưng Đạo)

checked 2025-09

Shopping & food

Chợ An Đông (An Đông Market)

Wholesale & retail market · phường An Đông (former Ward 9)

A big market known for wholesale clothing, fabric and áo dài; you can also buy in small quantities.

Opening hours differ between sources (roughly 07:00–18:00). Many stalls close in the late afternoon.

📍 34-36 An Dương Vương

checked 2025-03

Chợ Kim Biên (Kim Biên Market)

Wholesale market · phường Chợ Lớn (former Ward 13)

Known for wholesale kitchenware, household goods, cosmetics, chemicals and packaging. Great for stocking up right after moving in.

Usually 06:00–19:00. The address was confirmed by only one travel site. For cosmetics, always check they're genuine and in date.

📍 37 Vạn Tượng

checked 2025-03

Tiệm cơm Tân Nhã

Chinese-Vietnamese restaurant · phường An Đông (former Ward 5)

A long-running Chinese-style eatery famous for crispy roast suckling pig (heo sữa quay).

📍 100 Trần Tuấn Khải

checked 2025-11

Huê Ký Mì Gia

Noodle shop (wonton noodles) · phường Chợ Lớn (former Ward 12)

A Chinese-style egg noodle and wonton noodle shop with a light, clean broth.

📍 59C Thuận Kiều

checked 2025-11

Clinics & pharmacies

Bệnh viện Chợ Rẫy (Chợ Rẫy Hospital)

Major general hospital (national) · phường Chợ Lớn (former Ward 12)

The largest national general hospital in southern Vietnam. The ER is open 24 hours. Regular outpatient hours are Mon–Fri 07:00–16:00, Sat 07:00–11:00.

The phone number is the main line listed in several sources. You can also book appointments via the Medpro app or 1900 2115.

📍 201B Nguyễn Chí Thanh

checked 2025-10

Bệnh viện Đại học Y Dược TP.HCM (University Medical Center HCMC)

University hospital · phường Chợ Lớn (former Ward 11)

A well-equipped university hospital with many departments, popular with foreigners too.

📍 215 Hồng Bàng

checked 2025-10

Getting around

Bến xe buýt Chợ Lớn (Chợ Lớn Bus Terminal)

City bus terminal · Former District 5, Ward 14 (opposite Bình Tây Market)

A terminal for many city bus routes (e.g. to Miền Tây Bus Station, Miền Đông Bus Station, toward Long An). No long-distance buses.

Route numbers and times can change. Check with the 'BusMap' app.

📍 46 Lê Quang Sung

checked 2026-01

Useful phrases for this area

Vietnamese	Meaning	Pronunciation
Anh chở em tới Chợ Lớn, Quận 5 nha.	Please take me to Cho Lon, District 5.	an chuh em tuhy chuh luhng, wuhng nam nya.
Cho em xuống ở chùa Bà Thiên Hậu, đường Nguyễn Trãi.	Please drop me off at Thien Hau Temple on Nguyen Trai Street.	chaw em soo-uhng uh choo-uh ba tee-uhng huh-oo, dew-uhng ngwee-uhng chai.
Phố lồng đèn Lương Nhữ Học đi hướng nào vậy?	Which way is the Luong Nhu Hoc lantern street?	foh lohng deng lew-uhng nyew hawk dee hew-uhng nao yuhy?
Chợ An Đông mấy giờ đóng cửa?	What time does An Dong Market close?	chuh ang dohng muhy yuh dawng kew-uh?
Lấy sỉ thì bao nhiêu một cái?	How much each if I buy wholesale?	luhy see tee bao nyee-oo mohk kai?
Mắc quá, bớt chút được không chị?	That's too expensive, can you lower it a bit?	mak wa, buhk chook dew-uhk khohng chee?
Em muốn đi bệnh viện Chợ Rẫy.	I want to go to Cho Ray Hospital.	em moo-uhng dee buhn yee-uhng chuh ruhy.
Khoa cấp cứu ở cổng nào vậy anh?	Which gate is the emergency department at?	khwa kuhp kew-oo uh kohng nao yuhy an?
Cho em một tô mì hoành thánh.	One bowl of wonton noodles, please.	chaw em mohk toh mee wan tan.
Bây giờ chỗ này là phường Chợ Lớn hả?	Is this area Cho Lon Ward now?	buhy yuh choh nai la few-uhng chuh luhng ha?

Sources

📱 Open in the app (audio · favorites)