Chau Doc – Border town at the meeting of rivers and cultures
Chau Doc lies in the far northwestern corner of the Mekong Delta, on the banks of the Hau River close to the Cambodian border. It’s a small but busy town where Vietnamese, Khmer, Chinese, and Cham communities live side by side, giving the area a layered cultural identity that feels distinct from other Delta towns. Its position also makes it an important gateway for travelers moving between Vietnam and Cambodia.
Beyond tourism, Chau Doc has long been a hub of cross-border river trade and is famous throughout Vietnam for its pungent fermented fish products known as mắm. The town functions as a practical base for exploring An Giang Province, with religious sites clustered around Sam Mountain and wetlands such as the Tra Su Cajuput Forest within reach.
Sights & things to see inside Chau Doc
Most of Chau Doc’s highlights are right in town or just a few minutes away. They’re not full-day excursions on their own—think short stops that you can combine into a flexible half-day or day of exploring. A market visit might take 30 minutes, while Sam Mountain or a boat trip across the river could fill a couple of hours.
1. Floating villages on the Hau River
The floating village is a long community of raft houses anchored on the Hau River, each doubling as a small fish farm. Beneath the platforms, nets hold catfish and snapper that are raised for sale across Vietnam. It’s one of the few places left in the Delta where this way of life is still visible.
To see it up close, hire a boat from the riverfront near the Basa fish statue or Victoria Chau Doc Hotel. Early morning and late afternoon light are best for photos, and many boat trips can combine the floating houses with a stop at a Cham village across the river.
2. Sam Mountain (Núi Sam)
Sam Mountain rises just outside town, a 241-meter hill that’s covered with temples, pagodas, and shrines. Pilgrims visit sites like the Lady Temple (Mieu Ba Chua Xu), Tay An Pagoda, and the Cave Pagoda (Chua Hang), making it one of the most important spiritual centers in the Mekong Delta.
It’s only a short taxi or Grab ride from the city center. Most major temples are clustered around the base, but you can hike or ride up for wide views over rice fields stretching to Cambodia. There’s also a cable car option. Dress modestly, especially if you plan to step inside the temples.
3. Cham villages (Chau Giang & Chau Phong)
Across the Hau River lie two Cham villages, home to one of the largest Cham communities in Vietnam. You’ll find mosques, stilt houses, and a quieter pace of life that contrasts with the bustle of central Chau Doc.
The easiest way to visit is by combining it with a floating-village boat trip. Visitors are welcome but should dress modestly out of respect. Some households still weave textiles, and you may find small handicrafts for sale.
4. Local markets
The main Chau Doc Market is right in the center of town and gives a raw glimpse into local life. It’s known nationwide for its mắm—fermented fish pastes and sauces—as well as dried fish stalls and seasonal fruit.
This isn’t a tourist market, so don’t expect souvenirs or much English spoken. Half an hour is usually enough to wander the aisles, watch the trading, and maybe buy some fruit to snack on. Smaller neighborhood markets exist, but this central one is the easiest to reach.
5. Riverfront & 30/4 Park
The Hau River shapes daily life in Chau Doc, and the riverfront is where it shows best. A wide promenade runs past the 30/4 Park, marked by the large Basa catfish statue, with views of ferries and boats constantly crossing the water.
It’s most lively in the late afternoon when locals come to stroll, meet friends, or eat at the floating restaurants moored along the bank. This is also where the ferry departs for the Cham side of the river, and where you’ll find the landmark Victoria Chau Doc Hotel.
Best things to do around Chau Doc (day trips)
The most rewarding places to visit are scattered through An Giang Province and beyond, usually between 45 minutes and two hours from town. None of them demand a full day on their own, so it makes sense to combine one or two into a loop by car or motorbike. Distances are short, but local roads can be slow—plan realistically and start early if you want to cover more.
1. Tra Su Cajuput Forest (≈45–60 min)
Tra Su is a flooded cajuput forest and bird sanctuary, famous for its carpets of bright green duckweed and for hosting more than 70 bird species. A visit typically involves a motorboat ride along canals followed by a hand-rowed sampan through the quieter sections. The reserve also features Vietnam’s longest bamboo walkway, weaving through the trees above the swamp.
It’s at its best during the high-water season (roughly September to November), when the forest is fully submerged. For birdwatchers, the most active hours are early in the morning (7–9 am) and late in the day (5–6 pm). Even outside the peak months, it’s a photogenic and peaceful place to spend a few hours.
2. Ta Pa rice fields & Ta Pa Pagoda (≈1 hour)
Ta Pa is one of the most iconic landscapes in An Giang, where emerald rice paddies are dotted with tall sugar palms. The mix of fields, palms, and ponds creates a scene often used to symbolize the Mekong Delta countryside.
A small hill rises above the fields, topped by Ta Pa Pagoda. From here you get panoramic views across the checkerboard of paddies. It’s best visited in the growing season when the rice is lush and green, but the landscape remains striking year-round.
3. Cam (Forbidden) Mountain & Tinh Bien area (≈1–1.5 hours)
Cam Mountain, known locally as “Núi Cấm,” is the tallest peak in the Mekong Delta at 705 meters. A cable car makes it easy to reach the summit, where you’ll find panoramic views, a giant white Buddha statue, and a noticeably cooler climate.
The mountain sits near the Tinh Bien border area, which has a busy cross-border market selling Cambodian goods alongside Vietnamese produce. While not essential on its own, it’s a worthwhile add-on if you’re heading to or from Tra Su, combining nature, views, and a look at local border trade.
4. Long Xuyen and the floating market (≈1–1.5 hours; very early start)
Long Xuyen is the provincial capital of An Giang, about an hour from Chau Doc, and a place most travelers pass by without stopping. It’s a lively riverside city with good food and a less touristy atmosphere than Can Tho or Chau Doc itself. For visitors with extra time, it can be paired with a short boat trip on the Hau River and nearby canals to see everyday life along the water.
The city is also known for its floating market, which once drew hundreds of trading boats but has declined sharply due to improved road infrastructure and, more recently, the effects of the pandemic. Today only a couple of dozen boats remain, and activity winds down quickly after sunrise. It’s no longer a major spectacle, but when combined with a river boat ride, it still offers a glimpse of wholesale trading and a river culture that is slowly disappearing in the Mekong Delta. Staying overnight in Long Xuyen is the easiest way to catch the market, though it can also be reached from Chau Doc before dawn with a private car.
5. Tram Chim National Park (≈2 hours; Dong Thap)
Located in neighboring Dong Thap Province, Tram Chim is a vast wetland reserve covering more than 7,000 hectares. It is home to hundreds of bird species, including the rare Sarus crane in certain seasons. Boat rides take you through lotus ponds, grasslands, and shallow canals where birdlife is abundant.
Reaching it from Chau Doc takes about two hours each way, making it a long day trip but worthwhile for birdwatchers or those visiting during the wet season when the park is at its most beautiful. For general travelers, it’s best combined with an extended Mekong Delta loop rather than a rushed outing.
Chau Doc – Phnom Penh (Cambodia) by speedboat
Chau Doc is not only a Mekong Delta destination but also a well-known border town for travelers heading to or from Cambodia. The most popular route is the daily speedboat service to Phnom Penh, which takes about five hours along the Hau River. The journey includes a mid-river land stop for immigration, which is straightforward if you prepare your documents in advance.
Visas & entry rules (read this first)
- Vietnam → Cambodia: Cambodia issues visas on arrival at this river border. Bring your passport, a passport photo, and cash in USD. Many travelers report that the Cambodia e-visa is not accepted on this route, so don’t rely on it.
- Cambodia → Vietnam: You must already have a valid Vietnam visa or e-visa that lists this entry point. Vietnam does not issue visas on arrival at land or river borders, so double-check before you travel.
Schedules, operators & booking
Boats depart each morning from the pier near the Victoria Chau Doc Hotel, usually around 7:00 am, arriving in Phnom Penh late morning or early afternoon. The reverse route leaves Phnom Penh just after lunch. Several operators run this service, and tickets are widely sold online, at hotels, or through travel agencies in both cities. In peak season it’s best to book at least a day or two in advance.
The ride & border process (step by step)
Check in at the Chau Doc pier where passports are collected before departure. After about an hour the boat stops at Vinh Xuong/Song Tien on the Vietnam side for exit stamps. You then continue a short distance upriver to the Cambodian post, where you pay in USD for a visa on arrival and receive your entry stamp. Once everyone is cleared, the boat continues to Phnom Penh, with arrival at the central riverside pier.
Practical notes
Luggage is stowed at the front or back of the boat, so keep essentials in a small day bag with you. Seating is simple and varies by operator; expect a mix of open-air and covered seats. Water levels can affect timing, but the trip usually takes about five hours in total. Pack water, sunscreen, and a hat, and make sure you have enough USD cash for the visa and any small fees along the way.
How to get to Chau Doc
Chau Doc sits in the far northwest of the Mekong Delta and has no airport, so all journeys are made by road or river. Travel times can vary with traffic, but most routes are straightforward to arrange.
From Ho Chi Minh City (≈6 hours by bus or car)
The distance from Ho Chi Minh City to Chau Doc is about 250 km. The most convenient option is an intercity bus—companies like Futa Bus (Phuong Trang) run multiple daily departures, with modern coaches and rest stops along the way. A private car or van transfer takes roughly the same time, though it allows for more flexibility with stops en route. There are no direct flights to Chau Doc.
From Can Tho (≈3 hours by road)
Chau Doc is about 120 km from Can Tho, making it an easy hop by bus or private car. Futa Bus also operates frequent departures on this route. Some Mekong Delta cruises include a connection between Can Tho and Chau Doc, giving the option of combining sightseeing with your transfer.
From other regions
If you’re exploring more of the Delta, Chau Doc can also be reached from towns like Ha Tien or Rach Gia in Kien Giang Province, both about three to four hours away. These routes are useful if you’re combining Chau Doc with ferry connections to Phu Quoc Island or traveling along the Ha Tien corridor toward Cambodia. Longer loops through Dong Thap or other Mekong provinces can also be arranged with private transport or as part of multi-day tours.
Getting around Chau Doc & region
Chau Doc itself is small enough to navigate easily, but the sights you’ll want to see are scattered in the countryside. Different transport options suit different travel styles, from quick town hops to full-day excursions.
Taxi & Grab
Taxis are readily available, and Grab operates in Chau Doc as well. Both are fine for short trips within town, such as from your hotel to the riverfront or market. For sightseeing further out, they’re less practical since you’ll need multiple rides and drivers may not wait.
Car with driver (day hire)
Hiring a car with a driver is the most comfortable way to explore Tra Su Forest, Ta Pa rice fields, or Cam Mountain. You can set a fixed itinerary in advance, agree on a price, and the car will wait at each stop. This option is especially useful in hot or rainy weather.
Motorbike/scooter
For experienced riders, renting a motorbike gives the most freedom. Traffic in town is moderate compared to big Vietnamese cities, and the countryside roads are generally quiet. That said, an international driving permit (IDP) and proper license are strongly recommended, and the usual road risks still apply.
Cycling in and around Chau Doc
Cycling is a pleasant way to explore the riverfront and nearby villages. Some homestays offer free bicycles, though these are often basic and only suitable for short rides. Distances to major attractions like Tra Su or Sam Mountain are too long for casual cycling, so consider renting a better-quality bike or joining a guided cycling tour if you want to go further.
Where to stay in Chau Doc
Most accommodations in Chau Doc are either in the town center along the riverfront or on the slopes of Sam Mountain a short drive away. Staying by the river is practical for boat trips and border connections, while Sam Mountain offers more scenery and open space.
The best-known hotels are both part of the Victoria brand. Victoria Chau Doc Hotel sits right on the riverfront next to the pier, making it ideal if you’re taking the speedboat to Phnom Penh. It’s one of the town’s few upscale options, with colonial-style architecture and reliable service. Victoria Nui Sam Lodge is perched on the hillside of Sam Mountain, with terraced rooms, a pool, and panoramic views over rice fields—perfect if you want more of a retreat setting.
For budget travelers, there are plenty of small hotels and guesthouses in town, offering basic but decent rooms within walking distance of the market and river. Options are functional rather than charming, and prices are generally lower than in Can Tho or Ho Chi Minh City. Unlike other parts of the Delta, rural homestays are limited around Chau Doc, so it’s not the best place if you’re looking for that kind of experience.
Tips for traveling to Chau Doc
Use these pointers to prepare for your visit and make the most of your time in Chau Doc. They cover practical details that don’t fit elsewhere in this guide but will help you avoid common surprises.
When to go & seasons
Chau Doc has two clear seasons. The high-water months from about August to November are best for visiting Tra Su Forest and seeing floating villages in full effect. The dry months from December to April bring sunny skies and the clearest views from Sam Mountain.
Border-crossing prep
If you plan to continue to Cambodia, carry a passport photo, printed proof of your Cambodia visa (or USD cash for visa on arrival), and any onward booking details you might need. For Cambodia → Vietnam, make sure your visa or e-visa is valid for this specific entry point, as visas on arrival are not issued at land or river borders.
Money, supplies & services in town
Chau Doc has ATMs, pharmacies, and convenience stores for basics, but it’s not a place to stock up on specialized gear. Bring sun protection for the hot afternoons, and be aware that evenings near the river can be buggy—repellent is useful.
Etiquette around temples & Cham communities
When visiting temples or Cham villages, wear modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees. Always remove shoes before entering pagodas or mosques, and ask politely before photographing people.
