A Comprehensive Travel Guide to Chau Doc 2024

A Comprehensive Travel Guide to Chau Doc 2024

Have you thought about going to Chau Doc? Read this one, A Comprehensive Travel Guide to Chau Doc 2024, you can find out about the best times to visit, the best places to go, tours and free itineraries, history, and little-known gems in the official book. Learn from people who live in Chau Doc what to do, where to go, where to stay, and what to eat. If you can't go right now, plan ahead to get the most out of your wish lists.

1. Welcome to Chau Doc, Vietnam

Chau Doc is in the northwest Mekong Delta, about 250 kilometers west of Ho Chi Minh City and 120 kilometers from Can Tho City. It is a transfer point to Cambodia. People who want to see the Mekong Delta in Vietnam and keep going to Phnom Penh without going back to Saigon should stay at least one night in Chau Doc. Since 2000, when the borders were opened, there has been a lot more trade. 

A lot of people who are going on a tour from Vietnam to Cambodia pass through the city.  Every day, speedboats go from Chau Doc to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and back again. The trip takes about 5 hours. The Tinh Bien international border gate to Cambodia is also close to Chau Doc. It is on the mainland, which makes it easier for people from other countries to cross. The Cham, Khmer, Chinese, and Vietnamese cultures and histories have all lived together because it is close to Cambodia.

Minority groups that live in the area add color and variety, which can be seen most clearly in the traditional fabrics and clothes that are worn, as well as in the buildings that are built there. You might want to go to Chau Doc to see the Vinh Te Canal, the Tay An Pagoda, Sam Mountain, the Tra Su Cajuput Forest, and the floating towns. The Lady Temple is a national cultural relic. Chau Doc is great for photo tours, mental retreats, and trips to see nature.

2. Why You Should Visit?

Mountain, Forest and Minority

With an area of about 280ha and a moderate height of 241m, Sam Mountain is a famous tourist spot that everyone who comes to Chau Doc has to see. Tra Su forest is worth seeing because it is a very beautiful place that is about 25 kilometers from Chau Doc. You can go there to watch birds or just to find peace and quiet in a beautiful natural setting. 

The area has a number of nature parks and bird sanctuaries. Many kinds of birds and other animals live in Tra Su's streams and cajuput trees. The town of Chau Giang is right next to Chau Doc. It is peacefully set along the Hau River and has white mosques all around it. The largest group of Cham people in An Giang lives in Chau Giang, a town for the minority group.

Photography Tours

Chau Doc, An Giang, is in the Mekong Delta area of Vietnam. The most interesting places to take pictures in Chau Doc are the huge rice field of Ta Pa, a woman rowing a sampan by hand in the bush of Tra Su, a Khmer pagoda, the Cham minority, a cow race in October, a sugar palm field during flood season, and life in the Chau Doc River.

Chau Doc is a transit point to Cambodia

People who want to see both Vietnam and Cambodia often go to Chau Doc, which has a number of border crossings with Cambodia. Phnom Penh, which is about 100 kilometers from Chau Doc, is where most tourists go when they come or go.

You can get to this route by bus or daily speed boat. Vinh Xuong (Tan Chau District); Tinh Bien (Tinh Bien District); Khanh Binh (An Phu District); Vinh Hoi Dong (An Phu District); and Vinh Hoi Dong (An Phu District). Tip: You need to already have a Vietnam visa before you go from Cambodia to Chau Doc. You can't get this visa at any land border crossing in Vietnam.

>>Read more: Mekong delta tour 3days exit to Cambodia

Mekong Delta Cruises

The Chau Doc, or Bassac River, is where the rivers that flow into the Mekong from Cambodia and Vietnam meet. This town has many domestic and international cruises for visitors who want to see nature and the beautiful Mekong River. You can go on trips down the Mekong for a day, an overnight, or even all the way across Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. The great Mekong River helped more and more tourists decide that Chau Doc was the best place to start their once-in-a-lifetime Mekong Delta expedition.

3. Getting here and around

It's easy for everyone to get to and around Chau Doc these days. Of course, it also means that getting to town won't be hard, especially if you take the bus or my route. We'll talk about this in more depth below. Keep reading to learn which car is best for you.

• Air travel: Currently, there aren’t any direct flights to Chau Doc. The nearest ones are Tan Son Nhat International Airport and Cantho Airport.
• Bus travel: From Ho Chi Minh to Chau Doc. One of the top 5 best bus brands in Vietnam for getting from Saigon to Chau Doc is the Futa Bus Lines company. You can catch a bus from the Western bus station (address: 395 Kinh Duong Vuong, An Lac Ward, Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh City) with the time to travel to Chau Doc in 6 hours, to buy tickets, or to contact the system of specialized vehicles running the Saigon-Chau Doc route, such as Phuong Trang (futa bus lines), add in Saigon: 272 De Tham, District 1. Tel for booking ticket: 19006067. Once you’ve arrived at the Chau Doc Bus Station, take a taxi to your Chau Doc accommodation. Or, if taking the Futa bus line, take the complimentary transportation van which goes to certain areas in 10 km distance. For your return trip, you can pre-book your tickets or have your accommodation help reserve the tickets for you. If you choose to do the tour or homestay in Chau Doc, you’ll want the bus driver to drop you off at the 30 Thang 4 Park where the catfish statue is and next to the Victoria Chau Doc hotel. The locals from the homestays will arrange to pick you up in a boat when you arrive at the harbor.
• Bus travel: From Cantho to Chau Doc. Take the public bus on the Futa bus line. It's super easy to have a ticket. This bus is great, new, and AC, and it departs from Can Tho to Chau Doc every day. The bus ticket is about 120,000 VND. It is about a 3-hour drive, including the rest stop.
• Boat travel: not a public boat yet.
• Speed Boat travel: From HCMC to Chau Doc
• Speed Boat travel: From Can Tho to Chau Doc The charter sailing boat is available as a personal request.
• Cruises: There are many cruises from Chau Doc to My Tho, Can Tho, Phnompenh, and upstream and downstream the Mekong River.
• Train travel: Not yet.
• Bicycle and motorcycle travel: While it’s possible to rent a motorbike to explore the Chau Doc city, most visitors choose to utilize the free bicycles offered by most resorts and homestays. The roads are bumpy and occasionally muddy, but the distances are relatively short. You’ll notice that many of the locals opt to travel by bike as well, so you’ll be in good company. From HCMC, you can find “Thanh Lam motorbike rental shop: Address at No. 17C Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, contact: 0902 840 361” or “Style Motorbikes motorbike rental shop: Address at No. 42/24 Tran Dinh Xu Street, Co Giang Ward, District 1, contact: 0915.139.796” and “Dragon Bikes motorbike rental shop: Address at No. 182/5A De Tham Street, Cau Ong Lanh Ward, District 1, contact: 0909 283 280. Top Tip: Chau Doc has the most beautiful scenes in the Mekong Delta, and they are still very original. Renting a bicycle and riding around the streets in the countryside is really a memorable experience.
• Pedicab (or Xe Lôi in Vietnamese): The pedicab service used to be the most common and famous mode of public transportation in the Mekong Delta. Consisting of a normal bicycle with a large two-wheeled trailer attached to it where passengers sit, it is locally known as Xe Lôi or Xe Đạp Lôi. But with the introduction of more modern and even cheaper vehicles for hire recently, the traditional service is in serious danger of being totally obliterated. Chau Doc is the only place to have a Xe Loi ride, which is a unique experience for both locals and tourists.

4. The Perfect Time to Visit Chau Doc

In Chau Doc, you'll find a subsolar tropical climate with high and stable temperatures that are typical of the Mekong Delta River. The weather is hot and muggy all year, with an average temperature of 25 oC to 29 oC. The weather has two distinct seasons. The South West monsoon causes the wet season, which lasts from May to November, and the dry season, which lasts from December to April the following year, are very different.

You are welcome to visit Chau Doc at any time of the year because each season will bring you its own special happiness and pleasure. But from September to March is the best time to go to Chau Doc. You are free to do whatever you want because the weather is nice and comfortable.

• Floating season (September–December): It is the best time to visit the Mekong Delta region and Chau Doc in general. You can go fishing in our traditional wooden boats, discover pristine nature, and spend the best time in the amazing Tra Su forest.
• Rainy season (May–October): It is not a bad choice when traveling to Chau Doc during rainy seasons since the rains are short and will not affect your trip.
• Dry season (January–April): It is hot and dry during this time; however, it is harvesting time here, and you can enjoy watching the harvest activities with the locals.

5. Sites of Interest for Vacationers in Chau Doc

Tra Su Cajuput Forest

The Tra Su species is protected and kept alive. In Van Giao Commune, Tinh Bien District, An Giang Province, there is Melaleuca Forest. It is about 20 kilometers (45 minutes) from Chau Doc Town, 10 kilometers from the Cambodian border, and 124 kilometers from Can Tho City. First, go to Chau Doc Town. Then, drive 17 kilometers to Nha Bang Town in Tinh Bien District to get to Tra Su Cajuput Forest. The mountain of Cam is only 4 kilometers away, and it is right next to the Tra Su Cajuput Forest.

First, most tourists stay the night in Chau Doc. The next morning, they take a speed boat upstream to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Alternatively, they can do the Tra Su forest tour from Can Tho in one day. Taking a speedboat and a sampan (a type of dinghy) through the forest is the best way to see the important sights. It lets you take your time and see all the important parts of the ecological forest, which is home to lots of lotuses, water lilies, and water hyacinths. You can also listen to the beautiful songs that the birds (cormorant, stork, bittern, etc.) and different kinds of jungle insects make. 

People can also look at the beautiful duckweed (also called water lettuce) that covers the lake's surface and makes it look like an emerald sea. Sometimes, the rowing sampan stops to show tourists some huge honey bee hives that are sitting on a branch of a tree. There is a 23-meter tower with a telescope for watching birds after a short walk through the bush. From the tower, people can see a big green area with cajeput trees, birds sitting on trees, and Sam Mountain. 

Tips: Go to the bush at the right time. You don't have to go to the rowing sampan service or lunch. Make any changes to the camera that are needed. 

Top Tip: Get your camera ready because a picture of a woman pulling a sampan in the Tra Su forest would look great on a postcard.

The boat ride from/to Phnom Penh to/from Chau Doc

Not flying is better for the environment, but it's also a much more relaxing way to travel, and you can see the beautiful countryside and riverside towns of southern Vietnam that you might miss if you flew straight into Ho Chi Minh City, which is a little farther north. There are a variety of boats that can make this trip, which takes about five hours.

The speed boat leaves Phnompenh just after lunch and Chau Doc at 7 a.m. The main "Passenger and Tourist Terminal" in Phnompenh is where the departure is from, while the Con Tien ferry stop in Chau Doc is where the boat arrives. You can buy tickets at the port or from almost any tourist information center in the city. As long as the prices stay the same, it's best to book ahead of time.

Sam Mountain

With an area of about 280ha and a moderate height of 241m, Sam Mountain is a famous tourist spot that everyone who comes to Chau Doc has to see. The trees around the peak shade it all year. Along the winding streams around Sam Mountain in the summer, there are bright red flowers that make the mountain stand out. A network of old temples, pagodas, and interesting caves is connected to Sam Mountain, making the fertile fields a beautiful and appealing place to be.

The Lady Temple—The Ba Chua Xu Temple

The Ba Chua Xu Temple is at the base of Sam Mountain, which is Chau Doc's main draw. In Vinh Te Hamlet, Chau Doc Town, the temple was built in the early 1800s. The temple was first made out of wood. In 1962, double tiles were put on the roof. Then it was remade in 1972, except for the 10-meter-long stone wall in the back that was the old platform for the tower.

In 1976, the tribute was done. From April 23rd to April 27th of each year, the Ba Chua Xu Temple Festival takes place. Thousands of pilgrims come to the party to watch the statue be cleaned, burn joss sticks, give flowers, and pray for health and happiness.

Tay An pagoda

This is the famous Tay An Pagoda in Chau Doc. Its design is a mix of Vietnamese and Asian styles. The Tay An Pagoda is a beautiful sight. It is on one side of Sam Mountain, and at night, it looks like a monk in yellow going toward town in a calm and peaceful mood. The pagoda was constructed in 1847 and has been restored and fixed many times since then.

It has 1,250 m2 of room and almost 200 statues. It was completely redone in 1958. There are more than 100 statues in the main temple. Each one shows a different part of Buddhist authority. The most famous statue is of Buddha sitting on the Lotus Tower. It is said that the solemnity and holiness of the Tay An pagoda have become an invisible force that draws many monks and visitors. People will remember the serious and old-fashioned shape of the pagoda as well as the peaceful area.

>>Read more: The Top 10 Most Famous Pagodas To See in Vietnam

Getting a visa for the Phnom Penh to Chau Doc boat crossing

If you want to go from Cambodia to Vietnam through Phnom Penh to Chau Doc, make sure you have your Vietnam visa before you leave. The border point on the river is called Vinh Xuong and Song Tien Landport because it's a river. However, the boats stop at a pier, and you have to walk to the checkpoint on land to get your passport stamped with Song Tien. This place has a small coffee shop and a money exchange (but don't expect the best rate!). The process doesn't take long, and once you stamp out of Cambodia at the Khoorm Som Nor station, you can go right on your way.

Phuoc Dien Pagoda—Hang Pagoda

Some of the best parts of the Chau Doc to An Giang trip are the nearly 400 stairs that lead to Phuoc Dien Pagoda, which is also called Hang Pagoda (Cave Pagoda) on Sam Mountain. There are statues of A Di Da (the Buddha of the Past) and Thich Ca Buddha (Sakyamuni, the Historical Buddha) in the main sanctuary. In the caves and grottoes, there are images of many different gods, including a Quan Am with 1000 arms and 1000 eyes. A Buddha mirror room and a statue of Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism, are also there. 

Hang Pagoda is a village of relics with beautiful architecture that shows how the country's native culture is infused. A natural cave with the name Hang Pagoda is the subject of many stories that have been told orally for hundreds of years. This has amazed and interested many people.

>>Read more: Explore Everything At Jade Emperor Pagoda Ho Chi Minh

Vinh Te canal

Vinh Te Canal is an 87-kilometer-long canal, which is the longest and the most important location canal in the southern border of Vietnam during the Nguyen Dynasty, designed to connect two famous tourist spots in the west, Chau Doc City – An Giang province and Ha Tien town – Kien Giang province. This is a significant work in the field of economics and defense, associated with the name of Thoai Ngoc Hau – the worshiped person in the above tomb…

Thoai Ngoc Hau tomb

At the base of Sam Mountain, 5 kilometers southwest of Chau Doc, the Thoai Ngoc Hau Tomb is in front of the biggest monument. The respected person, whose birth name was Nguyen Van Thoai (1761–1829), was the first person from this area to work on undeveloped land, build towns, and dig out the Vinh Te and Thoai Ha waterways. He was buried there with both of his wives, and in the 1930s, a temple was built to honor him. The Thoai Ngoc Hau Tomb is a beautiful early example of architecture.

Tra Su Bird Sanctuary

Tra Su Bird Sanctuary is worth a visit because it is a surprisingly beautiful landscape around 25 kilometers from Chau Doc. Whether you are a person who is interested in watching the birds or just looking for a quiet time in a stunning natural setting. There are a handful of nature reserves and bird sanctuaries. Tra Su is home to a rich array of birds and other wildlife that lives among the canals and cajuput trees.

>>Read more: The Wildlife & Nature & Bird Sanctuary of Can Tho

Cam Mountain – Forbidden Mountain

Addressed at An Hao ward, Tinh Bien District, An Giang province, Cam Mountain is located at an elevation of 705m above the sea level with a panoramic view on the top. Cam Mountain is considered as a Dalat (a famous highland resort) in the Mekong Delta with such spectacular mountainous terrain.

The Great white sitting Buddha statue is the most impressive symbol of the Cam Mountain area. The mountain has a cool climate year-round, original natural sights associated with interesting, heart-warming stories that attract numbers of tourists and vacationers.

Cam Mountain cable car has become a new remarkable thing for An Giang tourism and also been a pride of people here. As one of the most expensive tourist destinations of Chau Doc, Cam Mount annually welcomes thousands of tourists to visit. Since it is channeled more capital to the cable car, Cam Mount has become an extremely crowded and attractive destination of the region… 

Cham Minority Village

Quietly draped on the banks of Hau River, Chau Giang village with white Mosques as a peaceful place in the opposite of Chau Doc. The Cham minority village named Chau Giang is the largest Cham community in An Giang. From Chau Doc city, just over 5 minutes by ferry you are in Chau Giang village. The Cham religion of the coastal Cham is influenced by Hinduism.

The Cham people around Chau Doc, represent the mixture between a rustic form of Sunni Islam, due to being come by seafaring Muslim traders in the late 10th and early 11th centuries and immigrated of Muslim Chams from Cambodia to the Mekong Delta in the mid-19th century. Chau Doc is home to diverse ethnic and religious communities where Cambodian Buddhists, Vietnamese Buddhists, ethnic Chinese and Muslim Cham live peacefully side by side…

>>Read more: Kim Bong Carpentry Village In Hoian

Tinh Bien Market

Tinh Bien market is a Cambodian/Vietnamese border market in Chau Doc. Goods here are mostly imported goods, the most are goods imported from Thailand and prices are relatively cheaper than goods from many places in the country.

On Saturdays and Sundays visitors increase much more, mainly of them are from the Eastern provinces, Ho Chi Minh City and provinces of the Mekong Delta following spiritual tourism, mountainous and border tourism.

From Chau Doc Town, it takes about 30 minutes to get to Nha Bang Town. From there, move on about 10 kilometers heading to Xuan To Town to get to the Tinh Bien border gate market.

>>Read more: Top 12 Best Markets in Ho Chi Minh City

Amazing Chau Doc Mosques

There are many beautiful mosques in the Cham village.

Murabak Mosque: Located in Tan Chau Township, Mubarak Mosque is accessible by river and is close to Chau Doc City. After some minutes on the Chau Giang ferry, tourists will see the onion-shaped peak in the distance and crescent moon patterns—a typical feature of Muslim architecture.

Masjid Jamiul Ahza Mosque: Masjid Jamiul Azhar is one of the oldest and most fabulous mosques in An Giang province, located in Chau Phong commune, Tan Chau town, An Giang province. The Masjid Jamiul Azhar mosque was built in 1959 and upgraded in 2012; it is now under construction and officially opened on August 3, 2014.

Masjid Al Ehsan Mosque: Masjid Al Ehsan was built in 1937. The canals that flow quietly alongside the border town of Chau Doc are all tributaries that feed the Mighty Mekong River. The Cham Muslim people have made these backwaters their home. The Masjid Al Ehsan lies riverside, the treasured heart of their community. White-domed and marble-tiled tranquility offers respite from the heat and bustle of the thronging markets that lie on the shores nearby. Masjid Al Ehsan, through whose arched windows one can stare off into the marshy fields of the Mekong, is a destination most worthy!

Chau Doc Floating Village and Fish Farm

Located to the west of Chau Doc city center, about 3 kilometers of riverway in the direction of the upstream Mekong River in An Phu district, Chau Doc floating village is a freshwater fish farming village formed in the 1960s of the last century. Since it is a tourist spot on the river, it is necessary to take a boat.

Therefore, if you want to go to Chau Doc floating village, you must go to Chau Doc junction (about 500 meters from Chau Doc Victoria Hotel) or Chau Giang Wharf located across Chau Doc town to rent a boat.

Boat rentals will have different price levels, depending on the visiting spots and the size of your group. Generally, you can be assured that the price is relatively reasonable. Top tip: Ask the hotel to help you out! If you hire a scooter or bicycle to get around and remember to reach Con Tien Bridge, which is a fantastic free spot to see the floating village from above.

>>Read more: All Things About Can Tho Floating Market

30 Thang 4 Park in Chau Doc

Stretching from the main market to the Victoria Chau Doc Hotel, this park is the city’s main promenading spot and a superlative area for river gazing. Women may approach you here offering rides in small boats if you're interested in getting river-borne. Manicured lawns and paths frame sculptures and a fountain.

Chau Doc Floating Market

One of the best highlights to see and do in Chau Doc town is the authentic Chau Doc floating market and hidden gems—small canals. It is just about the traditional and cultural river life in the Mekong Delta now and then. A boat trip is the only way to reach the floating market located in the middle of the Chau Doc River (Bassac River). No, it is a very central distance from your hotel. 

Firstly, you get to Chau Doc Riverside Park, where the basa fish sculpture is. Secondly, you take the boat trip from there; there are small sampans and big boats for a big group. The last, the boat trip, just takes you about 15 minutes from that boat station to the floating market.

Top tip: You should hire a boat a day ahead at least; the next early morning is too dark, so hurry to have a boat at 5 a.m. As a local expert, we do know that the Chau Doc floating market will be closed after 7 a.m and it is very small and very local, there are about more or less 20 boats and sampans at this market.

>>Read more: Rent a Boat, Bike & Local Guide at Can Tho Floating Market by Yourself

Chau Doc Cycling Tour

This is a favorite thing to do in Chau Doc, Mekong Delta. While biking or driving a scooter only induces panic and stress in Vietnam’s big cities, the bicycle is actually enjoyable in Vietnam’s small towns. Be sure to pin your hotel or homestay’s location on your map when you embark on your journey. There are a lot of twists and turns on these roads that could get you confused.

If you take a ferry to another village, don’t be worried if your Google Maps feature just shows a block of green without mapping any actual roads. Just learn or write down the phrase “Phà ở đâu?” (Where is the ferry?) Show someone this and give them the name and address of your accommodation; that will probably get you where you need to be.

>>Read more: Car hire Ho chi minh to Can tho Vinh long Chau Doc tour 4days

6. Chau Doc Homestays and Hotels

The address of Hang Chau II Hotel is 10 Nguyen Van Thoai. The phone number is +84 76 868891, +84 91 3970831, and the email address is hangchau2agg@hcm.vnn.vn. A relatively inexpensive choice that is close to the river and market via foot. Large spaces and a regal 1960s vibe coexist with an impersonal feel and a lack of decorative accents throughout the property. It is possible to park. Make sure to arrive early because it's a well-liked destination for travel groups.

Bach Dang 86, Trung Nguyen hotel. Great personnel. The rooms are compact yet immaculate, equipped with air conditioning, hot water, and a TV.

6 Phan Van Vang St., Motel Number 6 Thanh Mai, ☏ +84 76 867622. The decor is tidy and soothing for a low-cost establishment. The Mekong slow boat/bus travel to Phnom Penh and bus station pickup are possible options.

Hotel Vinh Phuoc, 12-14 Quang Trung, ☏ +84 76 866242, +84 76 562265, vinhphuochotel@yahoo.com. Run by a kind British lady who is a terrific source of local travel information, this hostel is a great bargain on a budget. WiFi is available for free at the front desk.

Call +84 76 865010 or send a fax to +84 76 865020 at the Victoria Chau Doc Hotel, 4****, 32 Le Loi. Unexpectedly located in a prime location, this opulent hotel offers every modern convenience. has four suites, ninety-two rooms, and a complete out of place appearance. Private speedboat transfers are offered to Phnom Penh. Prices for rooms range from USD 99 to USD 155, while suites with a river view cost USD 144 to $220.

At Vinh Dong 1, Sam Mountain, Chau Doc City, is the Victoria Nui Sam Lodge - 3***. With a tiered room structure that allows you unobstructed views, Victoria Núi Sam Lodge is an exquisite hotel. Awakened to breathtaking views of rice fields, the pool area was an ideal place to start the day. Situated on a hill, the breathtaking scenery makes the short extra drive out of town well worth it. Together with great views and an excellent restaurant and breakfast, this fairly priced hotel offers remarkable value. We went to a beautiful Buddhist temple, which was just a short walk from the hotel, for morning meditation. It was such a peaceful place.

Murray Guesthouse is located in Chau Doc City, An Giang Province, at No. 11–15 Truong Dinh Street, Chau Phu B Ward. The banks of the Bassac River are ten minute's walk from the Murray Guesthouse, which is situated in the city hall. Free bike parking is offered, as well as free WiFi access throughout the entire house. With its air conditioning, the room is simply equipped. Chau Doc Bus Station is 2 kilometers away from the guest house, and 30/4 Park is 800 meters away.

In Chau Doc City, An Giang Province, at 96 Dong Da Street, is the Hung Cuong Hotel (2**). With free WiFi and air conditioning, the Hung Cuong Hotel is a contemporary lodging with views of the Chau Doc River. Private parking is provided, there's a restaurant, and a 24-hour reception. Located 84 kilometers from Rach Gia Airport and 500 m from Chau Doc Market is the hotel.

At 88 Trung Nu Vuong Street in Chau Doc City, An Giang Province, sits the three-star Chau Pho Hotel. In the heart of Chau Doc City, the Chau Pho Hotel is conveniently close to tourist attractions and historical and cultural sites like Sam Mountain, Thoai Ngoc Hau Tomb, Tay An Pagoda, and Champa Village. Foreign visitors on a tight budget frequently choose Chau Pho for their one-night stay in Chau Doc.

>>Read more: Combo Car Rental Ho Chi Minh To Ben Tre CanTho Chau Doc Ha Tien

7. Chau Doc Markets, Shopping and Souvenirs

Chau Doc Market

Located in Chau Phu A ward, Chau Doc city, An Giang province, Chau Doc market is a tourist destination not to be missed in an An Giang travel journey. The market has a lot of goods, and the time to market is from early morning to noon. The market is given the name “the kingdom of fermented fish” because half of the stalls in the market sell fermented fish.

There are about 30 kinds of Fermented Fish with delicious tastes, including catfish, snakeskin gouramis, snake-head fish, anabas, henicorhynchus, and salted melon, displayed on the counter. Besides the delicious fermented fish, dried fish of hundreds of species is also sold in Chau Doc Market. The famous things here are dried catfish, snakes, snakeskin gouramis, loaches, and mystuses. In addition to the famous specialties, Chau Doc Market also sells many other items for tourists, such as clothes, shoes, hats, wallets, belts, backpacks, bags, masks, etc. 

You can find many other items if you have time around Chau Doc Market. Chau Doc Market is not only a busy market offering the necessary items to locals and tourists but also more meaning. This market is considered one of the tourist attractions in An Giang, attracting both domestic and foreign visitors. Here, visitors learn about the culture, habits and ways of living of Chau Doc people in particular and An Giang people in general.

Mam

“Mam” is a kind of sauce made of fermented ingredients, including fish or shrimp. Unlike the more familiar fish sauce, “mam” is powerfully pungent, similar to shrimp paste. Locals often eat “mam” with rice or vegetables or use it to spice up some dishes. You should go to Chau Doc Market, the busy market with a variety of “mam” for you to choose from…

Sugar Palm Fruit

On their trip to Chau Doc, tourists should buy delicious Chau Doc palm sugar fruit as a special regional gift. 

Tamarind and Rattan Fruit

In Chau Doc, tourists are easily “enchanted” by the fresh and delicious tamarind, which are sold everywhere. Along the roads to Chau Doc, visitors will encounter many fruit stalls selling rattan fruit (also known as Thai rattan), a rare fruit that is only popular in An Giang.

8. Chau Doc Food and Drink

Chau Doc town is pretty small and about 20 minutes walking to explore the riverside where you may be interested in some floating restaurants from Sunrise, Victoria, Con Tien, Be Noi floating restaurant…Top tip: Take your own insect repellent if you want to have food or drink at the local riverside. We recommend you have food near or in your hotel. Set up the alarm or hotel morning call for your early trip if needed…

Bay Bong restaurant

Bay Bong restaurant on 22 Duong Thuong Dang Le (with the indoor market on your right hand side, continue until you can only go left or right; go right there and you’ll eventually see it on your left), ☏ +84 76 867 271. Good food with a very long menu; locals and visitors eat here. The atmosphere isn’t particularly romantic.

Chau Giang Floating Restaurant

Chau Giang Floating Restaurant on Trần Hưng Đạo street. You can get a cheap drink with a great view of the river at the Chau Giang Floating Restaurant, on the pier at the opposite end to the Victoria Hotel, near the Hang Chau ferry office.

Thanh Tinh restaurant

Thanh Tinh restaurant on 13 Quang Trung (close to the indoor market). 06:00-21:00. A nice and clean local restaurant that serves vegan food. Friendly and English-speaking staff. They can also prepare take-away meals.

Chau Doc Street Foods

Also like other cities in the Mekong River Delta area, Chau Doc also has many different traditional and special food which is created and cooked directly by the locals at here, and arriving here we should not miss the dishes such as Com Tam (rice) this is one kind of rice but it is cooked very differently and specially, it is eaten with many different meats and vegetables, you should try this kind of food in Ly Tu Trong street because this street offer this kind of food is the most delicious.

The second special food which we must list is Bun Ca (the soft noodle is cooked with fish), you should try this food at the area which is located nearby Bo De temple, this place offers the best of this kind of special food. Another famous food in this city, we also should try other dishes in this city such as Lau Mam, Lau Trau, Bo Bay Mon, Xoi Phong, Bun Nuoc Ken, Banh Bo…

Banh bo cake of Chau Doc is a mixture of flour, milk and sugar which is made from palm trees which help make a mouthwatering smell. The cake costs about VND 5,000 (USD 0.2) per unit. The cake has a crispy outer ring and a soft inner layer. You should not miss this specialty during your trip to Chau Doc.

>>Read more: The Ultimate Vietnamese Street Food Guide: 30 Delicious Dishes

9. Chau Doc: Undiscovered Treasures

Ta Pa rice fields

Ta Pa's huge rice fields are the most beautiful rice fields in the Mekong Delta. The palm trees that stand between the fields make this a beautiful and iconic image. You can find them about 40 kilometers from the city and can be perfectly combined with Sam Mountain and Tra Su, which can be found along the way.

Long Xuyen floating market

The capital of An Giang Province is Long Xuyen, a town located nearly 60 kilometers from Chau Doc. Early every morning, you will find the Long Xuyen floating market here, so if you want to visit it, it is best to be in this city the day before. A boat trip is the only way to reach the floating market located in the middle of the Long Xuyen River. No worries; it is a very central distance from your hotel.

Firstly, you get to Long Xuyen market on the mainland, where the O Moi ferry station is. Secondly, you take the boat trip from there; there are small sampans and big boats for a big group. The last, the boat trip, just takes you about 10 minutes from that boat station to the floating market. Top tip: You should hire a boat a day ahead at least; the next early morning is too dark, so hurry to have a boat at 5 a.m. 

Tuc Dup Hill

For those interested in the Vietnam War, Tuc Dup Hill is worth a visit. It is also referred to as the 2 Million Dollar Hill because the Americans are said to have used $2 million in bullets and bombs to target this hill. This was because the Viet Cong fought heavily here during the American attack that lasted four months. There is little to see now, but near this hill you will find a cemetery and memorial...

Chau Phu Temple

Dinh Chau Phu (Chau Phu Temple) represents the essence and typical architecture bearing a bold imprint of the Nguyen dynasty, as well as the traditional style of the communal village of South Vietnam. So, Chau Phu Temple was the decision of the Ministry of Culture to recognize national architectural monuments in 1988.

Every year, the temple holds a ceremony on Nguyen Huu Canh's death anniversary on the 10th and 11th of May, according to the lunar calendar, and celebrates the death anniversary of Thoai Ngoc on June 6 of the lunar calendar. 

Every festival attracts crowds to worship. Dinh Chau Phu is on Tran Hung Dao-Nguyen Van Thoai Street (Chau Phu A Ward), worshiping Cardinal Nguyen Huu Canh. He was the one who made many great achievements and was conferred the title by the king dynasty: Admiral Marshal of the Spirit, Noble God, the Nation of the Gods, and Feast.

>>Read more: Top 20 Best Tourist Attractions To Vietnam 2024

Ba Chuc Tomb—Ba Chuc Crypt

Ba Chuc’s memorial, 40 kilometers south of Chau Doc, stands as a ghastly reminder of the horrors perpetrated by the Khmer Rouge. Between April 18 and April 30, 1978, the Khmer Rouge killed 3157 villagers here, leaving only two survivors. The memorial consists of two parts: the ossuary housing the skulls and bones of more than 1100 victims; and the memorial room next door, displaying wrenching post-massacre photos. 

Between 1975 and 1978 Khmer Rouge soldiers regularly crossed the border into Vietnam and slaughtered innocent civilians. Over the border, things were even worse, with nearly two million Cambodians killed during the period of Pol Pot’s Democratic Kampuchea regime. In the ossuary, designed to resemble a flowering lotus, the skulls and bones are divided by age group (including the minute skulls of toddlers and babies) and gender.

This collection resembles Cambodia’s Choeung Ek killing fields, where thousands of skulls of Khmer Rouge victims are on display, but as it’s clean, sterile and well lit, with a spot to leave offerings in the centre, it appears almost cheerful compared to what confronts you next door. The memorial room showcases the weapons used by the Khmer Rouge (knives, bayonets and cudgels) and sticks used for torture, particularly of women. Many of the Ba Chuc victims were tortured to death. The photos are for strong stomachs only. 

The bottom of walls at the Phi Lai Tu Temple behind the memorial room are still stained dark with the blood of the slain; more than 300 villagers were slaughtered inside. The Vietnamese government might have had other motives for invading Cambodia at the end of 1978, but certainly outrage at the Ba Chuc massacre was a major one. Ba Chuc is 4km south of the road running parallel to the Cambodian border between Ha Tien and Chau Doc. The site was extensively renovated to mark the 40-year commemoration of the massacre in 2018… 

10. Chau Doc Festivals, Sports and Outdoor Activities

Cow Racing Festival

If tourists visit Chau Doc in the period of Sene Dolta Day of Khmer People in Mekong Delta (from the 9th to the 10th day in Lunar Calendar), they can participate in the Ox Racing - A must-see festival in An Giang. This festival has existed for a long time in the Seven Mountains Region of An Giang Province with the purpose of expressing gratitude toward ancestors. The unique and interesting point of cow racing is that two cows are tied by a special rake. After the signal whistle of the referee, the driver will hit into the cows’ asses with a tow.

However, this driver must be very skillful in hitting two cows with the same energy to make them run with the same speed. According to the rule, a pair of cows running out of the racing course must get out of the competition. In addition, the driver must stand steadily on the rake because falling out of the rake will be considered a loser. 

The pair of cows trampling on the rake of the front pair will be the winner. During the race, pairs of cows and their drivers are always encouraged and urged by the inspiring and exciting atmosphere of simmering cheers and applause. Coming to the Cow Racing Festival, tourists will experience unique cultural festivals which can only be seen in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta…

11. Practical tips: Ways to save, Internet, Water, Learn a little Vietnamese and pro Tips

Ways to save:

Stay somewhere with free breakfast. Many budget hotels offer free breakfast to guests.

Eat street food. Food stalls are cheap and plentiful and are a great place to try regional specialities.

Travel by bicycle/motorbike. These two-wheeled bikes are among the cheapest ways to get around Can Tho and Mekong Delta region.

Stick to free attractions. If you’re really tight for cash, attractions such as markets cost nothing.

Chau Doc group tours. If you want to see and learn as much as possible with your limited time.

Internet:

Free Wi-Fi can be found everywhere from hotels to coffee shops. If you are from the EU you should be able to use your own data plan too. Or contact the hotel for the sim card.

Water:

Tap water is supposed to be safe but I advise against drinking it. It’s just not worth the risk. My advice is to use bottled water and save yourself from unexpected stomach problems.

Learn a little Vietnamese:

Sure, you can get by with just speaking English, but trying to speak the local language opens you up to much more polite & meaningful interactions with people. Even if you are not perfect or you make a mistake, your effort is appreciated. At a bare minimum: Hello = xin chao (sin chow), yes = dạ vâng, no = không (khom), thank you = cám ơn (kahm uhn), I’m sorry = tôi xin lỗi (toy sin loy), no problem/you’re welcome = không có gì (khong koh zi), goodbye = tạm biệt (tarm byeet), I’m vegetarian = tôi ăn chay (toy an chayh), How much? = bao nhiêu? (baow nyew), spicy/hot (cay), Oh My God (ôi..choy…oi…).

Pro Tips:

Best time to visit Chau Doc floating market, Long Xuyen floating market is from 5:30am-6:30am. I hope you have an amazing sunrise on the Mekong Delta river.

You can stay in a homestay which is near the floating market, this will help you out the best option. Then you can hire a scooter, car or bike and explore it by yourself, but you still need to hire a boat for the floating market tour.

If you plan to extend your travel to Chau Doc homestay, do not forget to bring mosquito repellent cream.

Visit Chau Doc or do any customized tours, please choose reputable providers with boat trips equipped with lifebuoys, jackets, motorcycle and cycling tours with the helmets and. Safety is a priority! Choose Chau Doc responsible tours which help you give back while traveling. It’s a cliché, but it’s true.

Chau Doc food & drink guide ranges from street food, authentic, fancy to fusion foods. As a tropical land of many fresh vegetables and homegrown gardens, which always make Chau Doc cuisines fresh, close to nature and very traditional. If you are a food lover, don’t hesitate to put other bites onto your food lists such as Bun Ca Chau Doc (the soft noodle is cooked with fish), Banh bo cake of Chau Doc, Sugar palm fruit, Caramelized and Braised Catfish, Grilled Rice-field Rat with Salt and Chili, Long Xuyen Broken Rice, Nui Cam Pancake, O Thum’s Chicken Grilled with Lime Leaves, Sour Soup with Siamese Mud Carp Soup & Sesbania Flower, Stir-fried Shrimp with Sesbania Flower, Phu Huong Beef Noodle Soup, Basa Fish Hotpot, Mam (Fermented Fish)…

Bring your hat, sunglasses, and sunblock, scarf to wear when visiting temples, pagodas, and the cathedral.

Bring a raincoat if you’re planning a trip to Chau Doc in the rainy season, as Chau Doc always looks fantastic in the full rain and full sun.

Chau Doc tourist attractions are magnificent itself, but if you have enough time, don’t forget to put other places onto your bucket lists such as Tra Su Cajuput forest & Birdwatching, Chau Doc Floating Village, Fish Farm & Cham Minority Village, Chau Doc floating market & small canal, Sam mountain, Tuc Dup hill, Chau Doc river tour, Chau Doc cycling tour, Chau Doc photography tour, Ta Pa Rice Fields, Vinh Te Canal, Seven-Mountain Ox Racing Festival, Tay An Pagoda, Chau Doc Market, The Lady Temple – The Ba Chua Xu Temple, Phuoc Dien Pagoda – Hang Pagoda, Thoai Ngoc Hau Tomb.

We hope that A Comprehensive Travel Guide to Chau Doc 2024 above has helped you gain some insightful knowledge and you can prepare thoroughly before traveling to this place and have the best experience.