On the far west of the Mekong Delta, Chau Doc is a riverside commercial centre, located on the west bank of the Hau River, at its junction with the Chau Doc River. It is a frontier town, and also a major gateway to Cambodia, as well as a regional trading point between the countries. It is a splendidly colourful city, with hues or purple, green and blue swirling together, and this is matched by the friendliness of the locals and the great Chau Doc hotels.
Chau Doc is one of Vietnam's most multicultural cities, with sizeable Chinese, Cham, Khmer and Vietnamese populations.
Chau Doc is located right on the border with Cambodia. Flowing through it is the Bassac River, which also operates as a border crossing for the various river traffic. Nearby is the Sam Mountain, which features some excellent views of the surrounding region. Chau Doc is an attractive, bustling city with lots to see and do, such as interesting market and various temples and pagodas. The economy is mostly based on fishing and fish-farming, which can be interesting to visit, and taking a tour in Chau Doc is a great way to see the sights.
Located 5 kilometres away from the town of Chau Doc is Nui Sam (Sam Mountain). The climb up the mountain is not overly strenuous, and can be completed at a relatively slow strolling pace. Once at the top you will be able to take in stunning views of the Mekong Delta as well as back over Cambodia - definitely worth a visit! A number of historical sites are situated around the mountain, including the old Tay An Pagoda, the Ba Chua Xu Shrine, the Hang Pagoda, and the Imperial Tomb of Thoai Ngoc Hau. A popular festival is also held at Nui Sam.
The festival of Ba Chua Xu (also known as the Via Ba Ceremony) is held yearly, from the 23rd night to the 27th day of the 4th lunar month (which is in May or June). The traditional Via Ba Ceremony attracts numerous people, who spend their time either praying for a good future, or enjoying the stunning scenery of the surrounding An Giang province.
The capital of An Giang province, Long Xuyen, features an interesting market that sprawls along the riverside, as well as a collection of old colonial relics and a massive cathedral. Probably the most interesting of the attractions within Long Xuyen town is the huge wet market, which meanders along the edge of the river, just to the east of the central pier. It is a great place to wander around, and you could easily spend a few hours doing so. Meanwhile, at Ba Chuc, there is a temple and ossuary which contains some remains of about 2,500 Khmer Krom that were massacred by the Khmer Rouge in September 1978.
You can find a range of places to stay in Chau Doc, Nui Sam and Long Xuyen. You can also choose your hotel in Chau Doc based on its location on our Chau Doc map. Make your choice and then book your stay in Chau Doc, Nui Sam and Long Xuyen and then relax. Chau Doc Hotels will do the rest.
Chau Doc was originally part of Cambodia, and only came under Vietnamese control in the middle of the eighteenth century. It was given as a gift by the Cambodian monarch, as help for putting down an insurrection. As such, there is a high proportion of ethnic Khmer within the local population, who are easily recognizable by their distinctive chequered scarves. Ethnic Cham and Chinese minorities are also reasonably prevalent, ensuring that the population in Chau Doc is quite diverse.
Whilst on your Chau Doc holiday, make sure you visit some other amazing nearby Vietnam destinations such as Saigon, Can Tho, and Phu Quoc.
