Chinatown — Cho Lon
Cho Lon, Ho Chi Minh City‘s historic Chinatown district, is an amazing fusion Vietnamese and Chinese cultura, offering photographers an authentic glimpse into daily life across its dynamic streets and ancient temples and pagodas. The neighborhood spans Districts 5 and 6, with the most photogenic areas concentrated around Binh Tay Market and its surrounding streets.
Some of the best Photography locations include:
Binh Tay Market
- Exterior architecture features French-Chinese design elements
- Early morning (4:00-7:00 AM) captures produce deliveries and market setup
- Second-floor balcony provides elevated shots of the market floor
- Side alleys offer intimate views of vendors and local life
- Best angles from Thap Muoi Street and Phan Van Khoe Street
Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street
- Traditional medicine shops with dried herbs and ingredients
- Colorful displays of traditional remedies
- Morning light (7:00-9:00 AM) illuminates shop fronts
- Merchant interactions and traditional weighing scenes
- Narrow perspective shots down the street’s length
Temple, Pagoda, and Assembly Hall Circuit:
Thien Hau Temple
- Intricate roof sculptures and hanging incense coils
- Early morning worshippers
- Atmospheric shots during prayer times
- Detail shots of architectural elements
- Best light: early morning or late afternoon
Quan Am Pagoda
- Ornate gateway and courtyard
- Prayer ceremony documentation
- Architectural details of the main hall
- Incense smoke effects
- Best photography during festival dates
Nghia An Hoi Quan Pagoda
- Ceramic roof sculptures
- Interior shrine details
- Traditional architecture elements
- Best angles from the courtyard
St Francis Xavier Church
- Ornate interior
- Beautiful at blue hour after sunset when lights are turned on
- Side buildings and exterior worship spaces
- Ultrawide best and leave space to fix distortion in post
Street Photography Hotspots:
Tran Hung Dao Street
- Wide boulevard with colonial architecture
- Street vendors and local commerce
- Morning rush hour scenes
- Mix of old and new urban elements
Hong Bang Street
- Traditional shophouses
- Street food vendors
- Local market activity
- Best during morning and evening golden hours
Nguyen Trai Street
- Shopping activity
- Modern and traditional contrast
- Street life and local interactions
- Best during business hours
Photography Tips for Cho Lon:
Timing:
- Early morning (4:00-7:00 AM) for market activity
- Golden hour (5:30-7:00 PM) for street scenes
- Midday for temple interiors
- Festival dates for cultural celebrations
Technical Considerations:
- High ISO capability for dark temple interiors
- Wide-angle lens for narrow streets
- 35mm or 50mm for street photography
- Polarizing filter for harsh midday light
Key Photo Opportunities:
- Merchant-customer interactions
- Traditional medicine shops
- Religious ceremonies
- Street food preparation
- Architectural details
- Local daily life
- Market transactions
- Cultural fusion elements
Hidden Gems:
- Back alleys between Thap Muoi and Tran Hung Dao
- Small family temples
- Traditional craft workshops
- Rooftop views from older buildings
- Local coffee shops
- Traditional barber shops
- Food preparation areas
- Family-run businesses
Best Access Points:
- Bus stations along Tran Hung Dao
- Taxi drop-off at Binh Tay Market
- Walking distance from District 1
- Multiple parking areas for motorbikes
The district is most active from dawn until early afternoon, with peak photographic opportunities during the morning hours when markets are busiest and the light is most favorable.
The area offers endless possibilities for documentary, street, architectural, and cultural photography, with each visit potentially yielding different perspectives and moments.
