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Châu ĐốcMekong Delta, Southern Vietnam10.70° N · 105.12° E
A friendly river town near the Cambodian border, with a holy mountain, a flooded forest, floating fish farms and Cham villages. Here is what to see and how to continue to Phnom Penh.
Chau Doc sits on the Hau River close to the Cambodian border, and it feels different from the rest of the delta. Vietnamese, Khmer, Cham and Chinese communities live side by side, so pagodas, temples and mosques share the same river banks. Behind the town rises Sam Mountain, one of the few hills in this flat landscape and an important pilgrimage site.
Most travellers come to Chau Doc for its mix of sights: the Tra Su cajuput forest, floating fish farms on the river, Cham villages across the water and the views from Sam Mountain. It is also the starting point for the river journey to Phnom Penh, a slow and memorable way to cross into Cambodia.
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The experiences our travellers enjoy most, in order of what we would not miss.
A flooded forest about an hour from town, explored by motorboat and small rowing boat through a carpet of duckweed. At its best from about September to November.
Drive or walk up for views over rice fields to Cambodia, then visit the much-loved temple of the Lady of the Realm at its foot.
Houses floating on the river with fish raised in cages below. Visit by boat and see how families live and work on the water.
Cross the river by small ferry to Cham Muslim villages with wooden stilt houses, mosques and traditional weaving. Dress modestly and ask before taking photos.
Continue up the Mekong to Cambodia's capital by boat, crossing the border along the way. A relaxed alternative to the road.
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Customise My TripMost travellers reach Chau Doc by road from Can Tho as part of a delta trip. From here, boats and roads continue to Phnom Penh in Cambodia.
Places that pair well with Chau Doc, with approximate travel times.
The dry season from December to April is easiest for travel. The high-water season from around September to November is the best time for the Tra Su forest and the flooded fields, though some days are wet.
A general guide. Weather varies from year to year, and we plan each route around the season.
Quick answers from our local team. Anything else, just ask your travel specialist.
Ask us on WhatsAppYes, if you have time for a slower delta trip or are travelling on to Cambodia. Its mix of cultures, the Tra Su forest and Sam Mountain make it quite different from the rest of the delta. Most travellers spend one or two nights here.
You can travel by boat up the river or by road, crossing the border on the way. Boats are more scenic. Check Cambodian visa arrangements before you travel. The boat journey takes around five hours including the border formalities, and boats usually leave in the morning, so plan to stay the night before in Chau Doc.
From around September to November, when the water is high and the forest is at its greenest. It can be visited all year, but water levels are lower in the dry season. Come early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the light is soft, the birds are active and the heat is lower.
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