Ask anyone who has ever set foot in Saigon and they have undoubtedly heard of Cho Lon. Spanning the western half of District 5 and a few neighborhoods in Districts 6 and 11, the quarter has been one of the most significant hubs of trading and heritage in the city for more than two centuries.
Founded in 1778 as a settlement and market complex by Saigon's Chinese community, Cho Lon grew to encompass more businesses, including Binh Tay Market, and became a city in its own right in 1879. Today, Cho Lon is part of Saigon and no longer has an official name, but its status as a historic, prosperous commercial center still remains.
The collection of photos below, courtesy of Flickr user manhhai, presents Saigon’s Chinese quarter in all of its mid-20th century glory. Take a look to see how much the area has changed over the years:
[Photo via Flickr user manhhai]
