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District 11 in Ho Chi Minh City
Among many districts making up the Chinatown in Ho Chi Minh City, District 11 is only second to District 5 in terms of the number of Chinese residing in the city. The culture of the Chinese community in District 11 plays a big part in the locals' daily life. Like other districts in the area, there is no sign to welcome you to the little Chinatown. You will just know when there are rising numbers of Chinese eateries and signages along the streets.
Map of District 11's Attractions:
District 11 Overview
With 41% of the population of Chinese descent here, District 11 is a part of Cho Lon, the Chinatown in Ho Chi Minh City. It was first established by combining the southern parts of District 5 and District 6 to form an area of over 5 square kilometers. From District 11, you can easily go to District 5 and District 6 in the south, District 10 in the east, and Tan Binh and Tan Phu District in the north. Located 7 kilometers away from the city center, the district is less crowded and less bustling compared to its neighbor, District 5 and District 10.
How to Get to District 11
Because of the distance, the two most convenient transportation for tourists to go to District 11 is the bus and taxi. You can spend as little as VND 5,000 to catch a bus (Route 11 or 2) from Ham Nghi Station and get there in about 30 minutes. The taxi should cost you a little more about VND 120,000, but you will be dropped off and picked up at the address you want if you don’t know your way around.
A note to solo travelers, it is better to go with a local guide when exploring District 11 as there are many residential areas in the district with good foods but its maze of numbered streets may cause confusion.
Attractions in District 11
Dam Sen, the man-made park for a picnic day out
Giac Vien Pagoda, the hundreds-year-old Buddhist architecture in Ho Chi Minh City
The biggest and most interesting attraction in District 11 is the Dam Sen Amusement Park Complex, including the Dam Sen Theme Park, or how the locals call it Dam Sen Kho, and the Dam Sen Water Park (Dam Sen Nuoc). There are various games, attraction rides, mini scheduled circus performance shows, and activities for families with kids to enjoy. There are many packages with different prices and discounts based on the number of people in your group, the time you visit, the games and rides you wish to participate, and whether you wish to add a combo ticket with the other park in the complex.
Another perfect location for you to cool down the heat in Ho Chi Minh City is Phu Tho Pool. The pool is located in the Phu Tho Stadium where many sports classes like basketball and martial arts as well as events and market sessions are held. Because of its long establishment and proximity to District 10, Phu Tho Pool has been one of the to-go destinations of the locals when it comes to swimming.
Besides the fun activities, you should come to District 11 to visit Giac Vien Pagoda, an over-a-century old pagoda, a true witness of historical and cultural development of the district and the city. Read more on the best temples and pagodas in Ho Chi Minh City.
| Name | Entrance Fee | Address | Category |
| Dam Sen Park | VND 100,000/person (games and rides are excluded) | 3 Hoa Binh, Ward 3 | Amusement park |
| Dam Sen Water Park | VND 150,000/adult (above 1.4 meters) VND 110,000/child (1-1.4 meters) | 3 Hoa Binh, Ward 3 | Amusement park |
| Phu Tho Stadium - Phu Tho Pool | VND 17,000/person | 215A Ly Thuong Kiet, Ward 15 | Stadium |
| Giac Vien Pagoda | Free | 161/85/20 Lac Long Quan, Ward 3 | Religious site |
| Phung Son Pagoda | Free | 1408 3 Thang 2, Ward 2 | Religious site |
| Khanh Van Nam Vien Pagoda | Free | 46/5 Lo Sieu, Ward 16 | Religious site |
| Phu Binh Church | Free | 423 Lac Long Quan, Ward 5 | Religious site |
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Eating in District 11
The nutritious black chicken herbal soup
District 11 may fall short of attractions to explore compared to District 5 or District 1, but your stomach will be treated to a feast with various kinds of foods. If you go to Chinatown, you cannot go without trying the Chinese cuisine there, from mouth-watering looking dishes like jiaozi (sui cao in Vietnamese), clear rice noodle (hu tieu), to a bit unusual ones like nutritious black chicken. Besides that, Vietnamese foods, snails, and coffee shops can be found in many streets like Lu Gia, Binh Thoi, Le Dai Hanh, and Lac Long Quan.
| Category | Location |
| Chinese Cuisine | Black chicken - Phan Xich Long Street, Ward 16 Jiaozi - Ha Ton Quyen, Ward 4 |
| Vietnamese Cuisine | Broken rice Vermicelli with shrimp paste Bun cha Hanoi |
| Street Eats | Binh Thoi, Xom Dat, Cong Chua Ngoc Han, and Nguyen Thi Nho (Ward 15) Street |
| Cafes |
Coffee Chains Garden Cafe |
Shopping in District 11
Dam Sen Flower Market, one of the biggest flower markets in Ho Chi Minh City
One of the biggest shopping malls in District 11, Parkson Flemington, was closed down this year, but there is still one shopping mall where you can shop for clothes as well as be entertained in its game center or movie theater. Without the upscale fun, District 11 is still a place you can visit to buy some local foods and beautiful flowers.
| Category | Address | What to Buy |
| Local markets | Wet markets Flower market | Produces, clothes, daily necessities, and flowers |
| Shopping mall | Lotte Mart Phu Tho - 968 3 Thang 2, Ward 15 | Cinema, clothes, foods, and accessories |
| Supermarket | Co.op Mart Phu Tho - Phu Tho Apartment, Lu Gia, Ward 15 | Clothes, foods, produces, and daily necessities |
Nightlife in District 11
Eateries in District 11 at night
At night, the streets in District 11 are still crowded but not as jammed as those in the city center. Most eateries open their business from the evening, and that is where people are heading. This is the time for the locals to go out for dinners and shopping. Some may opt for the cheap yet delicious seafood with a refreshing beer. The nightlife in District 11 does not promise any fancy but fun and authentic local lifestyle.
Summary of District 11 in Ho Chi Minh City
As a small outskirt of the Chinatown in Ho Chi Minh City, District 11 is where many Chinese choose to reside. The district may not be as developed as District 5 and District 10 in terms of economics and facilities, but it reserves most culture and lifestyle of the locals. If you want some places to have fun with your families or to crave cheap and delicious foods, a visit to amusement parks and eateries in District 11 will not disappoint you.
Want to know more about other districts in Ho Chi Minh City? Check out our guide Ho Chi Minh City Districts Overview.
Or are you looking for some backstreets fun in Ho Chi Minh City on a motorbike? Go to the featured tours page and see our offers.
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Comments
Is this near the airport? If it is, I can make a quick trip during my layover at the airport
Giac Vien pagoda is peaceful, but a bit out of the city center