Nestled in the heart of the Mekong Delta, Chau Doc, Vietnam, is a captivating blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and historical intrigue. Often overshadowed by more well-known destinations, this charming riverside town offers visitors an authentic taste of southern Vietnam with its vibrant floating markets, serene temples, and picturesque waterways. From exploring Sam Mountain to experiencing the unique Cham culture, Chau Doc promises unforgettable experiences for every traveler. Dive into the charm and allure of Chau Doc and uncover the hidden wonders waiting in Vietnam’s enchanting Mekong Delta.

1. Where is Chau Doc located?

Chau Doc city is located on the banks of the Hau River, a city under An Giang province, about 210 km east of Ho Chi Minh City, about 115 km south of Can Tho city, about 55 km south of Long Xuyen city and about 149 km west of the capital Phnom Penh (Cambodia).

 

 

Chau Doc An Giang is a land with beautiful natural landscapes, ancient historical relics and a diverse and unique culture. Chau Doc is not only home to Vietnamese people, but also to Chinese, Khmer, Cham, …, creating an area with diverse and unique cultural identities. Chau Doc has Sam Mountain scenic area, with many historical – cultural sites ranked at the national level, including Ba Chua Xu Temple of Sam Mountain. The Ba Chua Xu Festival is held annually, attracting a large number of tourists to visit and worship. Therefore, this is considered one of the sacred and culturally rich lands in the Mekong River region.

Regarding climate and weather, Chau Doc City is located in the tropical monsoon region, with the general characteristics of the Mekong Delta climate, hot and humid all year round, the average annual temperature is 25oC – 29oC. The highest temperature is from 36oC – 38oC and the lowest annual temperature usually occurs in October, below 18oC.

With its location in the Western river region, Chau Doc has two seasons: rainy and dry. The rainy season starts in May and lasts until October, August to November is the high water season, ideal for visiting Tra Su forest and floating villages.From November to April, the weather is sunny and dry in Chau Doc with blue skies and pleasant winds.

The best time to visit Chau Doc is after the rainy season, when the water level has receded and the river is high enough for boats to move and see the surrounding scenery, from December to March of the following year.

 

2. Getting to Chau Doc from Can Tho or Ho Chi Minh

2.1 Can Tho to Chau Doc by Bus

The distance from Can Tho to Chau Doc is about 116km. Because the distance is not too far, tourists usually choose to travel by bus or limousine with a travel time of about 2 and a half hours. Asia Viva Travel would recommend you some bus and limousine company to travel to Chau Doc. 

 

Phuong Trang (Futa Bus Lines)

• Vehicle Type: Sleeper bus (45 seats) which is equipped with air conditioning, complimentary water, individual TVs for each seat, pick-up/drop-off in downtown Can Tho and Chau Doc.
• Ticket Price: Approximately $5 – $6 USD.
• Travel Time: About 3-4 hours.

Thai Duong Limousine

• Vehicle Type: Luxury 9-seat limousine, withpremium reclining leather seats, individual TVs, USB charging ports, complimentary water.
• Ticket Price: Approximately $7 – $8 USD.
• Travel Time: About 3 hours.

Van Thuan Limousine

• Vehicle Type: 9-seat limousine withspacious reclining seats, air conditioning, complimentary water, door-to-door service within city limits.
• Ticket Price: Approximately $6.50 – $8 USD.
• Travel Time: Around 3-3.5 hours.

Hung Cuong

• Vehicle Type: 16-seat standard or 29-seat sleeper bus, equipped air conditioning, complimentary water, pick-up/drop-off in town.
• Ticket Price: Around $4 – $6 USD.
• Travel Time: About 3-4 hours.

 

2.2 Ho Chi Minh to Chau Doc by Bus

Another convenient starting point to travel, this is also the starting point that tourists often start to go to Chau Doc due to its convenience in the schedule. The distance from Ho Chi Minh City to Chau Doc is approximately 250 kilometers, and the travel time is generally around 6-7 hours by bus or limousine, depending on traffic and road conditions. Here are some recommended bus and limousine options for tourists to use when traveling from Ho Chi Minh city to Chau Doc: :

Phuong Trang (Futa Bus Lines)

• Vehicle Type: Sleeper bus (45 seats).
• Amenities: Air conditioning, complimentary water, individual TVs, pick-up/drop-off in central Ho Chi Minh City and Chau Doc.
• Ticket Price: Approximately $8 – $10 USD.
• Travel Time: About 6-7 hours.

Thai Duong Limousine

• Vehicle Type: Luxury 9-seat limousine.
• Amenities: Premium reclining leather seats, individual entertainment screens, USB charging ports, complimentary water.
• Ticket Price: Approximately $12 – $13 USD.
• Travel Time: Around 6 hours.

Kumho Samco Express

• Vehicle Type: Sleeper bus (40-45 seats).
• Amenities: Air conditioning, WiFi, complimentary water, pick-up/drop-off points in both cities.
• Ticket Price: Approximately $8 – $9 USD.
• Travel Time: Around 6-7 hours.

Hung Cuong Limousine

• Vehicle Type: Limousine 9-seat or standard 16-seat bus.
• Amenities: Comfortable seats, air conditioning, complimentary water, door-to-door service in central locations.
• Ticket Price: Around $11 – $13 USD.
• Travel Time: Approximately 6 hours.

 

3. Is Chau Doc Worth Visiting?

Tourists come to Chau Doc to learn about and experience the unique cultural activities of the Western river region. At Chau Doc, nature is extremely beautiful with breathtaking landscapes of Tra Su Cajuput Forest, a tranquil haven for bird watching and boating through lush greenery. In addition, here, visitors will see an image of Vietnam with unique spiritual values ​​and beauty when visiting the sacred Ba Chua Xu Temple, which draws thousands of pilgrims each year and provides insight into local spiritual practices. While places like Can Tho are popular for their large floating markets, Chau Doc offers a more intimate and serene experience. The combination of its spiritual sites, unique natural landscapes, and multicultural ambiance makes it stand out as a hidden gem within the Mekong Delta. 

In terms of price, food and services such as transportation and accommodation are all affordable. Surely a trip to Chau Doc will be full of excitement, a place where visitors can regain energy thanks to nature, friendly people and delicious food.

 

4. What to Do in Chau Doc

4.1.Discover Sam Mountain

Sam Mountain, located in Chau Doc, An Giang, is a remarkable destination in the Mekong Delta, offering a unique blend of spirituality, history, and stunning natural beauty. Known for the sacred Ba Chua Xu Temple at its base, Sam Mountain attracts thousands of pilgrims and visitors each year, especially during its vibrant annual festival held in the fourth lunar month. The trek up Sam Mountain is a favorite activity for travelers, allowing them to enjoy the peaceful landscape of endless rice fields and winding canals. Along the way, visitors can also stop at Tay An Pagoda and the Thoai Ngoc Hau Tomb, historical landmarks that provide insight into the area’s rich cultural heritage. The climb rewards visitors with fresh air, sweeping views, and a serene atmosphere—a true escape into the heart of the Mekong Delta.

 

4.2.Visit the Statue of Lady Chua Xu at  Ba Chua Xu Temple

About 200 large and small religious sites are scattered on the slopes of Sam Mountain – a famous mountain range that is the symbol of Chau Doc. One of the spiritual destinations that attracts tourists for its sacredness is Ba Chua Xu Temple. Previously, Ba Chua Xu Temple in Sam Mountain, Chau Doc, was just a simple wooden house with thatched walls for worship, but now it has become an architectural work imbued with Eastern cultural imprints, expressing people’s The surrounding people worship the Lord very much.  Because Lady Chua is very sacred, many tourists come to this temple to pray for smooth sailing and family peace. Here every year in the spring, a festival will be held to show gratitude to the holy Lady God.

 

 

4.3. Explore the Tra Su Melaleuca Forest

Tra Su Melaleuca forest is about 30 km from Chau Doc, only about 10 km from the border area of ​​Vietnam and Cambodia, planted according to a typical ecosystem model of the flooded area west of Hau River. When coming here, the main means of transportation to visit is the dinghy and the boatmen will be the guides. These are local people with many years of boating experience who can ensure your safety as well as help tourists understand more about Tra Su Melaleuca forest. There are more than 70 species of birds nesting in Tra Su Melaleuca Forest. This is the ideal place to immerse yourself in nature, take a jungle cruise and learn about the area’s biodiversity.

 

 

4.4.Experience the Floating Villages

Learn more about local culture with a visit to Chau Doc floating village, a 50-year-old fishing community on the Hau River. The houses here are built on rafts and are also fish farms, where catfish and snapper are raised for sale. The architecture of the “houses” in the floating village is also very unique. The wooden houses are lightly painted, have simili-patterned ceilings with full amenities, have a 5m deep bottom made of star wood, and are surrounded by stainless steel mesh to raise basa fish and some other types of fish.  Because of that, this location creates excitement for visitors when observing and interacting with people on the river, gaining Insights into local life and fishing practices. Because it is a tourist destination on the river, visitors will visit by boat.

 

 

4.5.Explore the Cham culture

Chau Doc is home to some of the largest Cham communities in Vietnam. Chau Giang and Chau Phong are located on two small islands across the Hau River. In the place, visitors can experience the activities of creating handicraft textile products with local people. In particular, these are traditional products of Cham culture in Vietnam with ingredients and decorations that boldly represent the culture of this ethnic group.

 

 

4.6.Taste Local Cuisine

Chau Doc Vietnam, a charming town in An Giang, is renowned not only for its beautiful landscapes and rich cultural diversity but also for its distinctive cuisine, embodying the authentic flavors of the Mekong Delta. There are some must-try dishes which tourists should try when visiting Chau Doc:

 

 

Chau Doc Fish Noodle Soup (Bún Cá Châu Đốc)
This rustic dish is known for its rich, flavorful broth made from freshwater fish and seasoned with local fish sauce. The noodles are served with fresh herbs and vegetables, giving a fresh, aromatic balance to the soup.

 

Chau Doc Fermented Fish (Mắm Châu Đốc)
Fermented fish is a specialty in Chau Doc and plays a big role in regional cuisine. Known for its bold and unique flavor, mắm can be eaten with rice, noodles, or wrapped in fresh vegetables, giving you an unforgettable taste of the Mekong.

Sam Mountain Seven Courses of Beef (Bò Bảy Món Núi Sam)
This feast consists of seven different beef dishes, each prepared with unique spices and herbs. Popular among locals and tourists alike, this dish reflects Chau Doc’s culinary creativity and the area’s rich cultural heritage.

Palm Sugar Sponge Cake (Bánh Bò Thốt Nốt)
Made with fresh palm sugar and rice flour, this fluffy, fragrant cake has a unique sweetness and aroma. It’s a delightful dessert that showcases the region’s palm trees and local ingredients.

Tung Lamow (Tung Lò Mò)
This traditional Cham sausage, made from beef and seasoned with lemongrass, garlic, and spices, is a tasty, chewy snack often enjoyed grilled or fried. It’s a specialty that highlights the Cham community’s influence on Chau Doc’s diverse food culture.

 

Conclusion

Chau Doc’s allure lies in its harmonious blend of natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and unique cuisine, offering visitors an authentic taste of life in the Mekong Delta. From the spiritual ambiance of Sam Mountain to the vibrant flavors of its signature dishes, Chau Doc Vietnam  promises an unforgettable journey filled with discovery and connection.

 

 

At Asia Viva Travel, we are committed to supporting society, especially in Vietnam’s remote regions. By traveling with us, you help support local tourism workers and contribute to building schools and providing free lunches for disadvantaged children in North Vietnam’s mountains.Join us to help build a better future for Vietnam’s children and vulnerable communities in the “Nuôi em” project .