Street for oriental medicines – Hai Thuong Lan Ong street, District 5
Stepping into Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street in District 5, you will immediately smell the characteristic aromas of oriental medicines and herbs.
This is the street of a big community of Chinese, who mainly earn their living by selling oriental medicines. There are all kinds of unprocessed materials which are contained in big sacks or the processed drugs which are classified into unguent, pills and powder, etc. When night falls, the street becomes sparkling in the light from Chinese-styled lanterns.
The Saigon music street – Alexandre De Rhodes Street, District 1
The Ho Chi Minh music street, all set to open across the Alexandre de Rhodes in District 1 is likely to provide a new cultural space for local residents and visitors to the city. during its pilot opening, the music street will be open to public every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
It is designed to feature performances of folk music and contemporary music as well as activities bringing together artists, instrumentalists and music lovers. It will also host tourism promotion activities as well as debut ceremonies for new artists, new songs and new musical products.
In addition, a loudspeaker system will be installed to broadcast themed background music during the day. Also, there are six food courts and around 20 booths to provide tourist information and a daily program schedule.
The book street – Nguyen Van Binh Street, District 1
Opposite the Notre Dame Cathedral, Nguyen Van Binh Street is now home to over 20 small sops run by Vietnamese publishing companies, including the Ho Chi Minh City General Publishing House, Tre Publishing House, Nha Nam, First News, and the HCMC General Science Library, as well as a number of smaller stalls and cafes. Saigon’s book street has since been referred to as a paradise for book lovers, and so far it has been living up to its reputation.
The highlight of the street is neither the bookshops nor the bargain bin bestsellers, but the tables of old and rare books, ranging from songbooks to classic Vietnamese novels. Each kiosk belongs to a specific publisher or bookstore looking to promote their products, which range from literary publications and magazines to reference books and comics. The city has also scheduled live music performances and author talks for the street’s weekend crowds.
This place is often filled to the brim with readers, young and old, absorbed in their books for hours on end. In a sprawling metropolitan, entertainment is in great demand and a vast array of recreational places are established to meet the ever-growing need.
Antique Street – Le Cong Kieu street, District 1
Le Cong Kieu Street in District 1 contains inside historical and cultural treasure of the nation, which is reproduced through antiques.
Coming here, you will be lost in a world of antiques, with large and small items displayed close together inside shops and on the sidewalk. The Indochina banknotes, coins of the Ly, Tran Dynasties, pottery jars and pots of the Nguyen Dynasty in Vietnam and the Qing Dynasty in China, etc are what you can see.
In addition, there are countless bronze items such as Buddha and Shiva statues of different sizes. You will also see ancient stamps, the utensils made of silver in glass cabinets. No one knows when this street of antiques was formed. They just know that it has become a familiar address not only for those who love antiques but also tourists.
The jewelry street, District 5
Ho Chi Minh City’s District 5 has honored its venerable goldsmith tradition by converting Nhieu Tam and Nghia Thuc streets into a jewelry street. Visitors to the area will be able to buy gemstones and jewels, in addition to learning about the process of making the goods. All of them will operate with legitimate business licenses and listed prices, and with a commitment to sell products with guaranteed quality and not to overcharge customers.
Used book street – Tran Nhan Ton street, District 5
There are dozens of used book shops next to one another on Tran Nhan Ton street. Come to a used book shop, you can find used magazines, newspaper, comics at 50-70% lower price. Used books are often sold at 50% lower price, but cost of some rare books is very high.
Most customers are pupils, students who want to buy books at low prices, researchers and book collectors. The owner would help customers to find the book they want to buy if they could not find it themselves. Walking along the street is the best way to totally relax while enjoying the calm and quiet atmosphere.