Chau Doc

Chau Doc, Southern Vietnam

A border town on the Bassac River, where Kinh, Khmer, Cham and Chinese communities live side by side and many families live on the water.

Highlights

  • Floating fish farms, with houses built over the cages
  • Cham villages at Chau Giang, with mosques and hand-weaving
  • Sam Mountain and the Ba Chua Xu temple, one of the busiest pilgrimage sites in the south
  • Tra Su cajuput forest, a flooded forest crossed by small boat
  • The river crossing to Phnom Penh, for travellers continuing into Cambodia

Best time to visit

The flooded forest and the rivers are at their fullest from September to November. December to April is dry and easier for travel.

Getting there

About 6 hours by road from Ho Chi Minh City, or around 2.5 hours from Can Tho.

How long to stay

One night.

Where to stay

Hotels in town look out over the river; the simplest option is a guesthouse near the market. Many travellers stay one night on the way to or from Cambodia.

What to eat

Bun ca Chau Doc, made with snakehead fish and turmeric, fermented fish (mam) from the market, and Cham beef curry from the villages across the river.

Good to know

  • The flooded forest at Tra Su is at its best when the water is high, from September to November.
  • Boats cross to Phnom Penh from here for travellers continuing into Cambodia.

Combine with

Mekong Delta · Ho Chi Minh City

Tours

We do not run a fixed itinerary here yet. Tell us your dates and we will plan it for you: ask for a quote.

Questions about Chau Doc? Message us on WhatsApp +84 345 827 501 or email booking@hynatravel.com.