Cholon, the Chinese quarter that eventually merged administratively with Saigon, was founded by Chinese settlers, many originally Ming loyalists who fled southern China in the 17th and 18th centuries and later Cantonese traders who built it into one of the largest overseas Chinese communities in Southeast Asia. Thien Hau Pagoda, dedicated to the seafarers' protector goddess Mazu, stands as one of the oldest structures from that founding community, its incense-blackened beams and ceramic roof friezes largely unchanged since the 19th century.
| Admission | Free |
|---|---|
| Hours | 6:00am-5:30pm daily |
| Address | 710 Nguyen Trai, Ward 11, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City |
Why it matters
One of the oldest surviving temples of Cholon's Cantonese community, reflecting the area's founding by Chinese refugees and traders
Site facts
- Built
- Early 1800s
- Style
- Cantonese temple architecture
Location
710 Nguyen Trai, Ward 11, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City
10.7537, 106.6631 View on map
Highlights
- 19th-century Cantonese temple architecture
- Ceramic rooftop friezes depicting Chinese folklore
- Hanging incense coils
Tips for visiting
- Combine with a walk through Cholon's Binh Tay Market
- Dress modestly
When to visit
Late morning
Accessibility
Uneven flooring limits wheelchair access.
Frequently asked questions
Why is there a large Chinese community in this part of the city?
Cholon was founded by Chinese settlers and traders from the 17th through 19th centuries and grew into one of the largest Chinatowns in Southeast Asia before merging administratively with Saigon.