Through the lens of her camera and the expert guidance of Saigon On Film, first-time Vietnam visitor Kate Lewis uncovered the cinematic soul of Cholon on a Sunday afternoon walking tour. What began as a search for authentic photography evolved into a visual love letter to Saigon's Chinatown. Kate's journey unfolded like frames in a film reel – from the architectural geometry of An Dong market's glass-roofed escalators to the surprising European elegance of St. Jeanne D'Arc Church nestled within Asian streetscapes. The textile market spoke to her maker's heart, while the mysterious ghost towers whispered urban legends against the sky. But it was Birds Street that truly captured her imagination – witnessing Sunday's ritual of feathered socialization that exists nowhere else in the world. As golden hour painted Binh Tay market into a palace of light, Kate realized she wasn't just taking photos; she was collecting stories. The constant perfume of Chinese herbs threading through narrow alleyways, the final pause at S'mores cafe with its dome-view perspective – each moment became part of Saigon's visual narrative that only reveals itself to those who know where to look. This is the magic Saigon On Film creates: transforming Sunday afternoon walks into profound visual discoveries.
Q: What drew you to join a Saigon Chinatown walking tour on your first visit to Vietnam?
K: Honestly, I was overwhelmed by Saigon's energy when I first arrived. Everyone told me to visit Ben Thanh Market or the War Museum, but I wanted something more authentic. When I discovered Saigon On Film's Sunday afternoon Chinatown walking tour, it felt perfect – combining my love for photography with exploring a neighborhood that seemed untouched by typical tourist trails. The idea of capturing "real" Saigon through my camera lens was exactly what I was looking for.
Q: How did the Sunday afternoon timing enhance your walking tour experience?
K: What a revelation! Sunday afternoons in Saigon Chinatown have this magical quality – the harsh midday sun softens, creating perfect golden hour lighting that filters through the narrow alleyways. The wholesale markets that dominate weekdays give way to families gathering, children playing in temple courtyards, and quiet moments that are pure photography gold. The lighting at this time creates incredible contrast and depth in every frame. My camera captured moments I never would have found on a typical tourist schedule.
Q: What surprised you most about Saigon's Chinatown during the walking tour?
K: The sheer visual richness caught me off guard. An Dong wholesale market was our first stop – those escalator stairs under the blur glass roof create such unique geometric patterns for photography! The food court there has this incredible Chinatown twist with all the local products beautifully displayed. Then discovering the Church of St. Jeanne D'Arc was mind-blowing – I had no idea there was a church named after her in Saigon! The contrast of European architecture against the Chinatown backdrop made for stunning shots. Every corner offers Instagram-worthy compositions that blend different cultural aesthetics in the most photogenic way.
Q: How did being with a photography group enhance your Saigon Chinatown walking tour?
K: As a first-time visitor, I was nervous about photographing people and places I didn't understand. The Saigon On Film community created this wonderful buffer – everyone was respectful, curious, and genuinely interested in learning about Vietnamese-Chinese culture. When I hesitated to photograph the incense-filled Quan Am Pagoda, another photographer shared techniques for capturing the atmospheric smoke without being intrusive. The group dynamic made me braver and more thoughtful as a photographer.
Q: What specific moments from the walking tour stood out photographically?
K: Several unforgettable visual moments! The mystery towers – these fascinating ghost towers that might be construction mistakes or something more mysterious – created such dramatic silhouettes against the sky. Then there's Birds Street, where I discovered this whole Sunday culture of people training birds to sing and socializing them with other birds. The visual of dozens of bird cages hanging while owners chat was surreal and completely Instagram-worthy. But the absolute showstopper was Binh Tay market during sunset – it looked like a golden palace, a perfect movie scene that had me shooting non-stop. The way the light hit the architecture was pure photography magic.
Q: How did the walking tour help you understand Vietnamese culture as a first-time visitor?
K: The sensory experience was incredible! The special smell of Chinese herbs follows you throughout the entire walking tour – it becomes this constant backdrop that makes every photo feel more authentic and atmospheric. I was personally fascinated by the textile market we visited. Even though it was late and half the shops were closed, seeing all those tailoring supplies and fabrics was amazing for someone who loves sewing. The textures and colors created beautiful detail shots. Then we stopped at S'mores cafe, which perfectly maintains the Chinatown style and vibe, with this incredible view over a dome building opposite. The combination of traditional architecture with modern cafe culture made for such compelling visual storytelling.
Q: What practical advice would you give other first-time visitors considering this walking tour?
K: Bring comfortable walking shoes and a camera with good low-light capability – you'll be moving between bright outdoor markets like An Dong and dimmer spaces like the textile market. The Chinese herb aromas are constant, so if you're sensitive to strong scents, just be prepared. Make sure to have extra battery power because you'll be shooting constantly – from the geometric beauty of escalator stairs under glass roofs to the golden hour magic at Binh Tay market. Don't rush; each location from S'mores cafe to Birds Street offers completely different photographic opportunities that deserve time to explore properly.
Q: How did this walking tour compare to other tourist activities in Saigon?
K: Night and day difference. Most tourist activities in Saigon feel designed for tourists – sanitized, predictable, focused on checking boxes. This Sunday afternoon Saigon Chinatown walking tour felt like being invited into someone's neighborhood. We wandered through residential areas, peeked into family courtyards, and experienced the rhythm of local life. My photos from this tour capture the soul of Saigon in ways my shots from famous landmarks never could.
Q: Would you recommend this experience to other first-time visitors to Vietnam?
K: Absolutely, especially if you want to understand Saigon beyond the surface level. The Sunday afternoon Saigon Chinatown walking tour with Saigon On Film gave me context for everything else I experienced in Vietnam. When I visited other cities later in my trip, I could recognize architectural influences, understand cultural practices, and appreciate the Chinese-Vietnamese connections throughout the country. Plus, the photography skills and cultural sensitivity I learned during this walking tour improved every other aspect of my Vietnam journey.
It's more than a tour – it's an invitation to see Saigon through local eyes, capture authentic moments, and connect with a community of people who genuinely love this incredible city.
Discover Saigon's Chinatown Together with Saigon On Film
Sunday Walking Tour In Saigon Chinatown
Join us for a journey through Saigon's most authentic neighborhood. Once a separate city called Cho Lon, this historic Chinatown remains largely untouched by mass tourism. Perfect for travelers seeking genuine cultural immersion combined with hands-on photography experience.