History

Chợ Lớn literally means "big" (lớn) "market" (chợ).In 1778, the Hoa (Chinese minority of Vietnam) living in Bien Hoa hadto take refuge in what is now Cholon because they were retaliatedagainst by the Tay Son forces for their support of the Nguyen lords. In1782, they were again massacred by the Tay Son and had to rebuild. Theybuilt high embankments against the flows of the river, and called theirnew settlement Tai-Ngon (meaning "embankment" inCantonese).Incorporated in 1879 as a city which was 11 kilometers fromSaigon, it had expanded and became coterminous with Saigon by the1930s. On April 27^th, 1931, the two cities were merged toform Saigon-Cholon by the French colonial government. By 1956, the nameCholon was dropped from the city name. These days, Cholon attracts anumber of tourists, especially those from Mainland China and Taiwan.Aso, it is known as a scenario of Marguerite Duras's autobiographicalnovel The Lover (1984), where the young French girl fell in love for the first time with her Chinese lover.

Daily life

Duringdaylight, Cholon is bustling with buyers and sellers trading goods.Binh Tay Market, one of the most important markets of Ho Chi Minh City,is located inside Cholon. It can be said that nothing is not sold here.Three or four-star hotels, restaurants, including Aquatria, Dong Khanh,Bat Dat, Ngoc Lan Dinh, Soai Kinh Lam, Ai Hue, Thien Hong, and A Dong,the fairly popular names in Sai Gon. Tourists getting around thisfamous market town mostly can find here anything they may think in mind!

When night falls

Inthe evening, Cholon seems to rejuvernate. From distance, one can seeneon signs of various sizes, shapes, and colours. Tourists flock intothis area not only for purchasing goods but tasting the gastronomy ofthe Hoa as well.

Inthis lively area, visitors can enjoy mouth-watering dishes, such asdumplings, Duong Chau fried rice, Tu Xuyen tofu, and so forth.

Themajority of tourists to Sai Gon and Cholon are lured by this vastgoods-covering market town, glistening when night lights are turned on.This is the panaromic picture of Saigon-Cholon, please come and explore!