Location: Ithaca, Saigon, DC, Toronto, Yorba Linda
Posts: 235
Inside Saigon's "Chợ Lớn"
"Chợ Lớn" (literally, "big market") is Saigon's "Chinatown." It was established by refugees from the collapse of the Ming Dynasty, and is actually older than the Vietnamese city of Saigon. The two cities were only formally amalgamated in the in the 1956. The "big market" these days is Chợ Bình Tây, built in 1928.
chè, a sweet, bean-based drink with dozens of varieties
Was that a reflection of you in the mirror?....Dam, what a tour. That is truly a way too see how the locals live and eat, that is true with any country, visit the local farmers market. It looks like the place was full of cheap Chinese exports as well. It must have been mid day judging by the lack of people and venders relaxing with each other and the amount of people sleeping..
You really wonder, what will become of these exciting shopping places over time, with online shopping. Similar, in some ways, to the public markets of Latin America!
You captured the vibe of the market really well - slippery, chaotic and yet sleepy all at the same time.
There are a few things to see in Cho Lon but overall, as a Chinatown, it's a little disappointing. After all, the last thing you're going to see in Vietnam is a celebration of Chinese culture - too much history there.