District 5 is west of central Ho Chi Minh City, and it’s far enough out that transportation is necessary for
getting to and from the city center. This part of the city is known for its ethnic Chinese community, several
hospitals and a few traditional markets that are popular with tourists and locals. Accommodation in District 5
mostly caters to budget travelers, but there are a few major hotels with particularly comfortable rooms and five-
star service.
For tourists’ purposes, this is HCMC’s Chinatown. By
some estimates, this is the world’s largest Chinatown. Despite the distance to other Saigon-area attractions, this
is a great place to be based. It centers on massive Binh Tay Market, with an array of side streets leading to
temples and pagodas.
The most memorable places are its religious sites. Ha Chuong
Hoi is a pagoda constructed with pillars shipped in from China by boat. Nearby is Thien Hau Pagoda, dedicated to
ancient legends of a psychic sea goddess. This temple is a lively place for people-watching any day of the week. The
set of Buddhist sites completes with On Lang Pagoda and Hoi Quan Nhi Phu. District 5 also houses Cha Tam Catholic
cathedral, with a distinctive Buddhist appearance despite its Christian roots.
An Dong
Market teems with shoppers by day and transforms into a lively disco scene after hours. Tourists flock here
during high season, when hotels in District 5 – Chinatown are busiest.
