If you’re looking for a change of pace from the bustling energy of Ho Chi Minh City, consider visiting Chau Doc in the south. This charming town on the banks of the Mekong River offers a more relaxed atmosphere with its floating markets, peaceful pagodas, and beautiful landscapes. This travel blog gives you the best ways to get from Ho Chi Minh City to Chau Doc, which will help you plan a perfect journey to this peaceful destination.
All you need to know about Chau Doc
- Chau Doc is a charming riverside town located at the intersection of a tributary linking the Mekong and Bassac Rivers, An Giang, which is a province in Vietnam that borders Cambodia,
- Known for its blend of Vietnamese, Khmer, and Cham cultural influences
- Local cuisine reflects the region’s diverse culinary influences, featuring fresh seafood, Khmer dishes, and traditional Vietnamese fare
- Home to a lot of mosques, temples, churches, and pilgrimage sites
- The area is really famous for its fish farming industry, particularly for raising basa fish in floating homes along the river
- Sam Mountain (Núi Sam), the highest point in the Mekong Delta at 230 meters, offers panoramic views of the surrounding rice fields
- The city has a significant Muslim Cham population, making it one of the few places in Vietnam with a notable Islamic presence
- Traditional silk weaving and handicrafts are important parts of the local economy
- The annual Ba Chua Xu Festival at Sam Mountain attracts thousands of pilgrims from across Vietnam
How to get from Ho Chi Minh City to Chau Doc?
By bus – recommended
- Price: $8 – 13
- Time: 6 – 7 hours
If you plan to travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Chau Doc, there are many buses available for this route. These buses typically leave from either the Mien Tay bus station or the bus company’s office in Ho Chi Minh City and make a stop at either the Chau Doc bus station or the bus company’s office in Chau Doc.
Buses start plying the route from 05:00 – you can also take a bus as late as 23:00. There is 1 bus trip every 2 hours.
It’s advisable to go by Phuong Trang (Futa Bus), which operates double-deck sleeper buses equipped with fixed berths and capacity for 40–44 passengers.
By limousine
- Price: $10 – 15
- Time: 6 hours
Limousine cars are upgraded versions of buses with only 9 seats. They have luxurious interiors with things like leather seats, Wi-Fi, USB ports, and electric sockets. However, they have limited luggage space. The bus usually picks up and drops off passengers at the bus offices in Saigon and Chau Doc.
High quality limousine car for reference: Limousine Thai Duong
- Price: 300.000/pax.
- Departure time: 7:00 AM, 3:00 PM, 8:00 PM
- Pick up: Ho Chi Minh City center area
- Drop off: Chau Doc City center area
- Tel: 0868.569.108
By taxi/private car
- Price: $139 – 190
- Time: 5 hours
If you’re looking for a quick trip, it’s recommended that you use a Taxi or private car. Taking a taxi or private car from Ho Chi Minh City to Chau Doc offers a more comfortable and personalized travel experience, but it comes at a higher cost compared to public transportation options.
It’s recommended to research and compare prices from different providers to find the best deal. Discuss a scenic route with your driver if you’re interested in exploring hidden gems or specific landmarks along the way.
Things to do in Chau Doc
Take a sampan boat ride on the canals: Chau Doc is known for its network of canals, and a sampan boat ride is a great way to see the city from a different perspective. You can also visit some of the floating markets along the way.
Explore the Tra Su Cajuput Forest: This unique forest is home to a variety of wildlife, including birds, monkeys, and otters. Take a boat tour through the forest and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Visit the Ba Chua Xu Temple: This temple is dedicated to the Mother Goddess, and is a popular pilgrimage site for Buddhists and Hindus with its ornate architecture and peaceful atmosphere.
Enjoy the local cuisine: Be sure to try some of the local specialties, such as Bun Ca Tieu (rice noodle soup) and Banh Mi Phu The (a unique take on the classic Vietnamese baguette).
Visit the Mubarak Mosque: This mosque is one of the oldest mosques in Vietnam, and is a testament to the city’s rich Cham culture.
Travel tips
- If you’re planning a trip to Chau Doc, the best time to visit is between August and November. This is when you can fully enjoy the water season and experience the lively Chau Doc floating market.
- When visiting temples at the beginning of the year, be mindful of the crowds and keep your personal belongings, such as money, phones, and identification papers, secure.
- For accommodation, consider staying in the center of Chau Doc City or the Sam Mountain area for convenience in exploring the city.
- Pack light, breathable clothing as Chau Doc has a tropical climate with high humidity year-round
- Bring insect repellent, especially if you plan to visit rural areas or during the rainy season
- Try the local specialties like bún cá (fish noodle soup) and canh chua (sour soup) which are popular in the region
- Book a boat tour in advance if you want to visit the floating villages and markets early in the morning
- Respect local customs when visiting religious sites by dressing modestly and removing shoes when required
- Consider bringing a water bottle with a filter as tap water is not safe for drinking
Where to go next?
From Chau Doc, Vietnam, there are several interesting destinations you can explore next.
- Can Tho, Vietnam: the largest city in the Mekong Delta, and it’s a great place to experience the region’s unique culture.
- Tra Su Forest: A beautiful cajuput forest reserve about 30 km from Chau Doc with boat tours through flooded forests
- Ha Tien: A peaceful beach town on the Gulf of Thailand, about 90 km from Chau Doc
- Long Xuyen: The capital city of An Giang province with its famous Long Xuyen Floating Market
- Sa Dec: A charming riverside town known for its flower gardens and as the setting for the novel “The Lover”
- Phu Quoc Island: Vietnam’s largest island with beautiful beaches, accessible by boat from Ha Tien
- Phnom Penh, Cambodia: Just across the border from Chau Doc is the bustling capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, which offers you a glimpse of cultural, historical, and architectural attractions such as the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda, the National Museum.
- Siem Reap, Cambodia: If you’re interested in seeing the Angkor Wat temple complex, then you’ll need to head to Siem Reap.
- Kampot, Cambodia: A relaxed riverside town known for its pepper plantations, about 4 hours from Chau Doc
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