Until fairly recently, Chợ Lớn was its own city, long inhabited by người Hoa (ethnic Chinese) who carved out an economic hub along the banks of the Saigon River over 200 years ago.
Due to its economic prowess, the neighborhood is home to stately colonial and modernist architecture, particularly those of the shophouse variety. On this tour, we will walk the streets of Chợ Lớn to gaze upon these architectural gems.
While we will focus on the neighborhood’s buildings, we will also engage with some of its human history with a stop at one of the city’s oldest coffee shops where the family has been roasting for over 70 years.
The tour is rounded out with a stop at the University of Medicine - a modernist masterpiece before ending at Thiên Hậu Pagoda, one of Saigon’s oldest buildings.
After heading back downtown we'll have lunch at a classic Vietnamese eatery before visiting highlights like Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum. We'll continue on to the Notre Dame of Cathedral, the Saigon Post office and the Jade Emperor Pagoda.
Head back to the meeting point or drop you off at your house in either d.1 / d.3