Mekong Delta has become an interesting destination which is fallen in love by many travelers in recent years. In particular, Chau Doc – An Giang is a beautiful place which not only has special features of palm trees, green vast rice fields but also the peaceful life of the local on floating villages.

WHY TRAVEL TO CHAU DOC?

Altogether with Long Xuyen, Chau Doc is one of two cities of An Giang which have a very important role in economy of Mekong Delta. Chau Doc shares border with Cambodia. If people traveled to Chau Doc for Mieu Ba temple which is the place for Buddhists, recently Chau Doc is famous for beautiful, tranquil landscape, diversified culture and is a transit gate for trips to Cambodia and nearby cities.

BEST TIME TO VISIT CHAU DOC

Like other places in Mekong Delta, Chau Doc has a climate of tropical monsoon with two separated season, dry and rainy ones. The weather in Chau Doc in general is quite suitable for travel all year round.

In the rainy season from May to October, Chau Doc often see much rain and from August to November, it is the floating water season. If you travel to Chau Doc during this time, you will see a typical character of people in the watery region, but you need to be cautious when traveling this time. The remaining period, Chau Doc is quite hot, but the temperature is not very high which affects your trip to this land.

HOW TO TRAVEL TO CHAU DOC

The distance from Chau Doc to other cities in Mekong Delta.

Chau Doc – Rach Gia: 130km

Chau Doc – Can Tho: 120km

Chau Doc – My Tho, Tien Giang: 182km

Chau Doc – Ha Tien: 110km

Chau Doc – Bac Lieu: 224km

Chau Doc – Ben Tre: 180

Chau Doc – Ca Mau: 243

The distance from Chau Doc to Ho Chi Minh and nearby

Chau Doc – Ho Chi Minh: 245km

Chau Doc – Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa: 678km

Chau Doc – Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan: 432km

Chau Doc – Dalat, Lam Dong: 540km

By Bus: from Saigon, it takes about 6 hours for driving to Chau Doc. There are many bus companies operating this route, so it is quite easy to buy a ticket in Mien Tay station at 395 Kinh Duong Vuong str..

Some bus companies for reference

Phuong Trang: in Chau Doc: 076 3565333. In Saigon: 08 38333468

Hung Cuong: in Chau Doc: 076 387651116, in Saigon: 08 .85240301

Vinh An: in Chau Doc: 076 3866495, in Saigon: 08 38369229

Prices vary from VND 120,000 (USD 5) to VND 150 (USD 7)

From cities near Saigon such as, Dalat, Nha Trang, Phan Thiet, Vung Tau, if you travel to Chau Doc, you will need to take bus to Saigon, then bus to Chau Doc.

You also can rent a car from Saigon to Chau Doc, if you travel in a big group.

By motorbike: if you want to have an adventure and interesting trip, you can go to Chau Doc by a motorbike but you have to ensure the safety before driving on your own. You will travel along national road 1A to Tien Giang through My Thuan bridge, then continue on the national road 80 going past Sa Dec and Vam Cong ferry, you will reach Long Xuyen city before arriving Chau Doc.

There is another way for those who want to see the bordering areas. You will head out to national road 62 toward to Binh Hiep bordering gate, then go past hong Ngu – Tan Chau bordering towns, you will arrive Chau Doc.

How to travel in Chau Doc

By bike: you can rent a bike from a Vietnam travel agency in the center of Chau Doc or even at your hotel. Traveling around Chau Doc by a bike is also a wonderful experience which should be tried once.

By bike trailer: this mode of transport was very popular in Mekong Delta, but now it is not as popular as before. You can rent it in the central area or places next to markets or at your hotel.

By bus: most famous sites in Chau Doc are quite close so you can use a bike or motorbike, but for a trip to Sam mountain, Tinh Bien, taking a bus from center is a good option. It is easy to find a station in the central city.

Taxi and motorbike: like other cities, you can rent a motorbike from a Vietnam tour operator in the center. If you want to take a taxi, you can contact Mai Linh – 076 3922266, Saigon Hoang Long: 076 3688688…

Boat, ship or ferry: to visit some area such as Bung Binh Thien, fishing villages, Cham villages in Chau Giang…you will need to travel on the river. You can rent a boat or take ferry at Chau Doc port.

How to travel to other areas in Mekong Delta from Chau Doc

From Chau Doc, if you want to visit other areas in Mekong Delta, you can take buses at Chau Doc station on Le Loi street and pick up your route.

WHAT TO VISIT IN CHAU DOC

Tay An pagoda

Tay An pagoda is also called as Tay An Sam mountain pagoda or ancient Tay An pagoda which is a Buddhism pagoda located at the T-junction point next to Sam mountain. The pagoda is situated on an altitude of 284m above the sea level. Tay An pagoda has a special architecture which is combined by Indian and Muslim and Vietnamese architecture. Tay An is not only a place for worshipping but also for tourism.  

Chau Phu temple

Located on Tran Hung Dao – Nguyen Van Thoai streets (Chau Phu A ward), Chau Phu is dedicated to St Nguyen Huu Can who had many contributions in protecting country and was awarded under dynasties.

Chau Doc floating village

The most significant feature of Chau Doc is floating villages which are typical culture of watery land. sampans and motorboats are the main transport of people here. All rafts are connected together like houses along the river bank. Each owner has about 3-4 rafts.

Thoai Ngoc Hau shrine

The mausoleum is one of many monuments located on the foot of Sam mountain. This mausoleum is dedicated to Thoai Ngoc Hau who had outstanding contributions to the country and the locals.

Cham village

You will need to take a boat or ferry of Chau Giang to Con Tien island where is the home of Cham people. The village is very tranquil with mosque of Cham community and uniquely traditional house on stilts. Visiting Cham village, you will get more understanding about the culture, weaving products and enjoy special local food.

Sam mountain

 Sam is a 284-meter-high mountain located in the plain area which has a beautiful 5-km road from the foot to the top of mountain. Sam mountain and other mountains in the Seven mountain area are the significance for the natural beauty of Mekong Delta. According to legend, this mountain is very sacred so there are a lot of people come here for worshipping. Because of sacred feature, there are over 200 temples, pagodas and shrines situated scatteredly from the bottom to the top of mountain. Also, there is a fortress built in the French colony on the top of the mountain.

Hang (Cave) pagoda

Located on the middle of Sam mountain and is a well-known landscape of An Giang, Cave pagoda is totally separated with the Sam monument complex. When visiting the pagoda, you will see the ancient and solemn architecture with many mystic stories transmitted orally from generations which are attractive to visitors. This pagoda was built around 1840 and 1845. Because of the combination of natural beauty and skillful human being, Cave pagoda is one of the most interesting places to visitors.

Besides mentioned places, there are many other interesting destinations near Chau Doc such as, Cam mountain, Tra Su bird sanctuary…

WHAT TO EAT WHEN TRAVELING TO CHAU DOC?

Chau Doc fish noodle

The most famous thing in Chau Doc is fish sauce. Therefore, fish noodle of Chau Doc is more moreish than that in other areas. To mix the fish sauce with broth, the chefs in Chau Doc have their own secrets which make the soup moreish but not fishy.

Besides fried slices of fish, chefs will add lean pork paste, roasted pork and vegetable.

Banh bo cake of Chau Doc

Banh bo cake is the mixture of flour and milk and sugar which made from palm tree which help making a mouthwatering smell. The cake costs about VND 5000 (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.

WHERE TO STAY IN CHAU DOC?

The accommodation in Chau Doc offers a wide range from standard to luxury. However, you should book in advance during the peak season or on holidays to have a good price.

5-star: Victoria Chau Doc

4-star: Victoria Nui Sam

3-star: Chau Pho