May islet is the land inheriting fresh water and alluvium of Mekong river. With four-season fruits laden with fruit, and the rice paper craft village for more than 100 years. May Island has become a famous riverside garden destination of Vinh Long province.
Address: Luc Si Thanh commune, Tra On District, Vinh Long province.
Added values: Referring to the islets on the Hau River, it is impossible not to mention May Island in Vinh Long. May Islet, also known as Luc Si Thanh Islet, belongs to two communes: Luc Si Thanh in the south and Phu Thanh in the north of Tra On district, Vinh Long province. With cool fresh air, charming rivers, poetic landscapes will make you remember this land forever.
Nearby attractions and hidden gems: Looking for places to stop on your way to and from May islet? Or maybe you found it too crowded here? We’ve got some ideas! Check out our list: Vinh Long Pottery & Brick Kiln Factory (59 km), Vinh Sang Eco-tourism (48 km), Coconut Candy Traditional Village in Vinh Long (42 km), Tra on floating market (10 km), Vinh Long museum (37 km), Van Thanh Mieu Temple (35 km), Phu Ly Pagoda (3o minutes), An Binh Islet (48 km), . . .
2. Travel Guide to May Islet
May Islet (Luc Si Thanh Islet) Vinh Long – Community-based Tourism
May islet has an area of about 4000 ha, inherits fresh water and alluvium of Hau river, so the land is lush, green fruit trees are laden with fruit, the people are kind and hospitable. Hau river and Tra On river, so the climate is cool all year round.
Cu Lao May is about 10km from Ninh Kieu – Can Tho wharf, traveling by boat within 45 minutes you will come here. Or visitors to Tra On market, via a small ferry to Cu Lao May.
Setting foot on the island, visitors can ride bicycles or motorbikes around the rich land with immense orchards, pomelo gardens, oranges, rambutan, mangosteen, milkweed, etc.
Taking a small boat through the green canals on both sides is also very interesting. The canals feed each other, forming a system of rivers and canals, rivers connecting rivers, gardens connecting gardens, Western-style space Walking on the village road shady with green trees, passing through monkey bridges. This is an interesting experience for those who do not know the type of primitive folk bridge crossing rivers and canals that was very popular in the old southern countryside.
May Islet (Luc Si Thanh Islet) Vinh Long – Community-based Tourism
On the village road, there are often refreshment shops in the garden, visitors can arbitrarily stop to drink Siamese coconut or lemon juice, squeezed oranges, eat fruit, swing on the hammock to relax, watch the train, the boat going up and down the immense river.
In particular, May islet is famous for rice paper products. The village of rice paper in this island country has existed for hundreds of years and still regularly produces thousands of products to supply the market every day. Visitors will meet many households making rice paper, witness the industriousness and ingenuity of rural women making delicious and fragrant cakes.
3. What to Do –See – Eat at May Islet
May Islet (Luc Si Thanh Islet) Vinh Long – Community-based Tourism
Visitors will be able to visit and pick fruits very comfortably with all kinds of longans, oranges, rambutans and can buy dried snakehead fish, dried “specialty” fish as gifts for their loved ones, etc.
Coming here, visitors can also join in the fun with interesting games such as cycling across the bridge, going to the monkey bridge, slapping ditches to catch fish and enjoying many delicious rustic dishes made from snakehead fish, catfish, and pangasius, snails, chickens, ducks, etc.
4. Free Itineraries from VeMekong
As a local travel expert, we have some ideas for you to think about.
From Vinh Long city center:
Route 1:
Route 2:
Route 3:
If you do not have much time left, it is easy to check out spots in one full day by boat or with bike or with motorbike and car. But there are much more than tourist sites like these in Vinh Long. Make sure you have more time to feel and explore more about the hidden gems and the culture, food, night life, wildlife and forest as well. Top tip:Stay in a homestay nearby, so you have more chances to visit it and surroundings. If you are looking for the package Vinh long daily tours with local, you can contact www.vemekong.com or Hotline/WhatsApp/WeChat/Zalo +84939888559; email: hello@vemekong.com
5. Google Maps of May Islet
Google Maps made a name for itself helping people travel from one place to another, avoid traffic (You probably know the route from your hotel to the gas station by heart, but what you can’t be sure about is gridlock), measure a distance, get back to the hotel on time, share the location…
6. Visit May Islet by yourself
May Islet (Luc Si Thanh Islet) Vinh Long – Community-based Tourism
Solo traveller? Travelling on your own means you will get out of any difficult situations by yourself. This, in turn, leads to more satisfying travel experiences and helps you improve your problem-solving skills. These days we rarely get the chance to sit with ourselves and simply be. That’s why you should consider the time you spend alone on your trip as a gift.
It is possible for solo travellers to use google maps and do it alone. But sometimes they need to update local maintained roads and bridges which close and lead you a longer road than the road from Google maps. It is just about the time. It takes more time to find the correct garden to come. Adventure is always fun. Wifi is strong in Vinh long village! The locals find it hard to speak English as well. Top tip: Sticking to one canal and keeping going along it which gives you more things to see and avoids getting lost. Contact vemekong.com to hire a car, scooter with English-speaking-guide or cycling tours in Vinh long
7. Responsible Travel and Advice to Visit May Islet
Don’t get us wrong. But we assure you that you totally agree with us. “Do not give candy and things to the children when you plan to visit any local villages”, the kids will leave the school and follow the sweets and later they find some things to give you or sell to you. The garden is a little forest, don’t pick and touch the flowers or fruits without the local’s smiles. We deal with traveling green and leaving green behind, not plastic. Top tip: Vemekong.com are some of the companies that care a lot about responsible travel and local respectation.
8. Amazing Video flycam/drone of May Islet (4k)
If a picture says a thousand words, it stands to reason that the video says many times more.
9. Incredible Tips for Photography, Specialists, KOLs, Media and Influencers
May Islet (Luc Si Thanh Islet) Vinh Long – Community-based Tourism
To get the best of the best for your unique writing, featuring, photo, video and insider’s stories. We do recommend you to have a local travel expert, the one who always gets more ground information and makes sure every single element is solved perfectly. The Vemekong (very exclusive Mekong) team is your priority choice. Email and have a private talk with them to customize your journey smoothly, personal and the most ultimately amazing. You can contact www.vemekong.com or Hotline/WhatsApp/WeChat/Zalo +84939888559; email: hello@vemekong.com
10. Pro Tips
Best time to visit Cai Be floating market is from 5:30am-6:30am. I hope you have an amazing sunrise on the Mekong Delta river.
You can stay in a homestay which is near the floating market, this will help you out the best option. Then you can hire a scooter, car or bike and explore it by yourself, but you still need to hire a boat for the Cai Be floating market.
If you plan to extend your travel to Cai Be Vinh Long homestay, do not forget to bring mosquito repellent cream.
Visit Vinh Long or do any customized tours, please choose reputable providers with boat trips equipped with lifebuoys, jackets, motorcycle and cycling tours with the helmets and. Safety is a priority! Choose Vinh Long responsible tours which help you give back while traveling. It’s a cliché, but it’s true.
Vinh Long food & drink guide ranges from street food, authentic, fancy to fusion foods. As a tropical land of many fresh vegetables and homegrown gardens, which always make Vinh Long cuisines fresh, close to nature and very traditional. If you are a food lover, don’t hesitate to put other bites onto your food lists such as Hu Tieu My Tho (a kind of noodle soup but it is really yummy), elephant ear fish, snails with pepper, rambutan jam, snake wine, coconut candy, pop rice, Durian Ri6…
Bring your hat, sunglasses, and sunblock, scarf to wear when visiting temples, pagodas, and the cathedral.
Bring the raincoat if you’re planning a trip to Vinh Long in the rainy season, as Vinh Long always looks fantastic in the full rain and full sun.
Hopefully, the above tips will help you to come up with a great plan for your adventure in Vinh Long province, Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Have a safe trip!
“Sleep less, travel more, respect more” – Thomas Vietnam – Local travel expert.
Cai Cuong ancient house is one of the most beautiful ancient houses in Vinh Long Viet Nam with a history of more than one hundred years. The old house is now an attractive stop for tourists on their journey to discover the gardens and islets of the Vinh Long, Mekong Delta.
Address: Binh Hoa Phuoc commune, Long Ho District, Vinh Long province.
Added values: There is a unique building when it has a harmonious combination between modern Western architecture mixed with ancient East Asian features. Experiencing many restorations, but the arrangement and decoration inside is still intact.
Nearby attractions and hidden gems: Looking for places to stop on your way to and from Cai Cuong ancient house? Or maybe you found it too crowded here? We’ve got some ideas! Check out our list: Vinh Long Pottery & Brick Kiln Factory (3 km), Vinh Sang Eco-tourism (10 km), Coconut Candy Traditional Village in Vinh Long (3 km), Tra on floating market (44 km), Vinh Long museum (7 km), Van Thanh Mieu Temple (7 km), Phu Ly Pagoda (39 km), An Binh Islet (10 km), . . .
2. Travel Guide to Cai Cuong Ancient House
The owner of the house is the family of Mr. Pham Van Bon, a great landowner who is “loving in the garden” on this ancient island. He is also called by other people in the area, Mr. Cai Cuong. Cai Cuong ancient house was built in 1885 in the shape of Dinh, including two folds arranged perpendicularly, the back of the house is in the middle of the front house, the main side faces to the North, overlooking Cai Muoi canal.
The house is a unique combination of Vietnamese and French architecture. Outside Western architecture, inside traditional wooden structure. This is a form of “external” design, i.e. the interior corresponds to traditional art and Eastern culture, while the exterior architecture is in harmony with Western architecture.
The old house has a width of 15m, with ironwood columns up to 6m high supporting the yin and yang tile roofs and the ancient fish-scale tile roofs of the houses. In front of the house is a corridor with doors on both sides with elegant bow-shaped stairs, the columns and walls are decorated with reliefs of the Renaissance period, bringing both high aesthetic elements and minimalism. effects of sun and rain.
French style clearly shows the roof, facade and floor lined with French cement tiles. Decorative patterns and motifs on the outside of the work according to Western architecture. The column head is in the form of a composite composite of the Hy-La style. Corridor columns create the traditional style of “three gates and four pillars” for each space, but combined with arched arches, Western-style “water hyacinth” parapets like a French mansion. Decorate the top of the columns and arches using Acanthus flowers, Western-style grape reliefs on the wall and the gable wall outside the house.
The open-air porch is the landing of two symmetrical bow-shaped stairs to the house, this is a Western architectural style mansion, in the middle there is a small shrine-like altar, from the entrance you can see the main part of the house. This is like a screen between the front of the house, influenced by the concept of feng shui in Hue gardens.
The decoration materials for the facade and porch are strange and unique. The wall on the top of the door leaf is covered with decorative cement tiles to create a harmonious pattern that is not heavy, which is also a very personal creation of the Pham family. Cement tiles are used to line the floor, but the feat of tiling the page. The decoration on the wall creates a very unique aesthetic. The porch is closed with a wooden ceiling and covered with a tile roof, which is different from the traditional house. The facade wall is decorated with zigzag patterns in terracotta brown and yellow earth. Below the frill line, there is a row of fringes with decorative turquoise colored cement tiles. On the roofs of the two roofs, there are still sophisticated decorative details in the style of a French mansion.
The outside veranda, two symmetrical bow-shaped stairs to go up to the house, in the middle there is a small temple with the facade looking at the center of the house, which is a bold Southern architectural and cultural feature. The door in the house is built in the shape of a semicircular arch, showing that the owner of the house is a rich and “influential” person in society.
Inside the house, the entire main structure is made of precious wood and decorated in oriental style. The house is divided into three parts: the front house, the middle house and the back house. The front house and the middle house are large spaces where the owner places tables and chairs to receive guests. Separating them is a massive wooden wall, stretching to separate the two houses.
The central space of the middle house hangs a large diaphragm with the Chinese characters “Pham Phu Duong,” meaning the Pham family’s house. The two sides of the nave are the altars of the ancestors of Mr. Cai Cuong’s family.
The inside of the back house is divided into three compartments, the middle one is empty with a door leading to the back of the garden, the two adjacent compartments are two symmetrical bedrooms with ironwood walls. Therefore, although the carvings here are not sophisticated and sharp, they do not lack in aesthetics and elaborateness. Adding to the beauty of this old house is the number of large and small doors that are opened a lot, the furniture is very neat and tidy, adding to the nobility of the old house. Items such as altar cabinets, wardrobes, tables and chairs, couches, counters… are all made of ironwood or car spokes from the late 19th century, which are kept almost intact by the family.
3. What to Do –See – Eat at Cai Cuong Ancient House
The special thing with this ancient house is the familiar but unique carved images on the blue envelopes and wooden walls, which do not follow the classic standards of the usual images of the four spirits and nobles. Artists carve on here animals that are very familiar to the early southern river land such as Monkey, Horse, Bird, Deer, Tiger…,
Today, Cai Cuong ancient house is inherited and managed by Mr. Vo Huynh Long, 64 years old, the third generation descendant of the Pham family. The old house has services for Vinh Long tourists such as visiting, performing Don Ca Tai Tu, picking fruit in the garden… Visitors can stay overnight in two old bedrooms of Mr. Cai’s family. Strong. Sitting on a hundred-year-old sofa, chatting about East and West, eating fruit from the garden are interesting experiences in an old house on the southern island.
4. Free Itineraries from VeMekong
As a local travel expert, we have some ideas for you to think about.
From Vinh Long city center:
Route 1:
Route 2:
Route 3:
If you do not have much time left, it is easy to check out spots in one full day by boat or with bike or with motorbike and car. But there are much more than tourist sites like these in Vinh Long. Make sure you have more time to feel and explore more about the hidden gems and the culture, food, night life, wildlife and forest as well. Top tip:Stay in a homestay nearby, so you have more chances to visit it and surroundings. If you are looking for the package Vinh long daily tours with local, you can contact www.vemekong.com or Hotline/WhatsApp/WeChat/Zalo +84939888559; email: hello@vemekong.com
5. Google Maps of Cai Cuong Ancient House
Google Maps made a name for itself helping people travel from one place to another, avoid traffic (You probably know the route from your hotel to the gas station by heart, but what you can’t be sure about is gridlock), measure a distance, get back to the hotel on time, share the location…
6. Visit Cai Cuong Ancient House by yourself
Solo traveller? Travelling on your own means you will get out of any difficult situations by yourself. This, in turn, leads to more satisfying travel experiences and helps you improve your problem-solving skills. These days we rarely get the chance to sit with ourselves and simply be. That’s why you should consider the time you spend alone on your trip as a gift.
It is possible for solo travellers to use google maps and do it alone. But sometimes they need to update local maintained roads and bridges which close and lead you a longer road than the road from Google maps. It is just about the time. It takes more time to find the correct garden to come. Adventure is always fun. Wifi is strong in Vinh long village! The locals find it hard to speak English as well. Top tip: Sticking to one canal and keeping going along it which gives you more things to see and avoids getting lost. Contact vemekong.com to hire a car, scooter with English-speaking-guide or cycling tours in Vinh long
7. Responsible Travel and Advice to Visit Cai Cuong Ancient House
It is always good to repeat “responsible travel” over and over. Cai Cuong ancient house faces severe deterioration by termites and weather and time as well as scientifically maintained cleaning. We do appreciate any of you who do visit and take good behavior to the family and the ancient house. There are less and less traditional places like this in Vietnam because of fast and morden life. Top tip: Vemekong.com is one of the companies that care a lot about responsible travel and local respectation.
8. Amazing Video flycam/drone of Cai Cuong Ancient House (4k)
If a picture says a thousand words, it stands to reason that the video says many times more.
9. Incredible Tips for Photography, Specialists, KOLs, Media and Influencers
To get the best of the best for your unique writing, featuring, photo, video and insider’s stories. We do recommend you to have a local travel expert, the one who always gets more ground information and makes sure every single element is solved perfectly. The Vemekong (very exclusive Mekong) team is your priority choice. Email and have a private talk with them to customize your journey smoothly, personal and the most ultimately amazing. You can contact www.vemekong.com or Hotline/WhatsApp/WeChat/Zalo +84939888559; email: hello@vemekong.com
10. Pro Tips
Best time to visit Cai Be floating market is from 5:30am-6:30am. I hope you have an amazing sunrise on the Mekong Delta river.
You can stay in a homestay which is near the floating market, this will help you out the best option. Then you can hire a scooter, car or bike and explore it by yourself, but you still need to hire a boat for the Cai Be floating market.
If you plan to extend your travel to Cai Be Vinh Long homestay, do not forget to bring mosquito repellent cream.
Visit Vinh Long or do any customized tours, please choose reputable providers with boat trips equipped with lifebuoys, jackets, motorcycle and cycling tours with the helmets and. Safety is a priority! Choose Vinh Long responsible tours which help you give back while traveling. It’s a cliché, but it’s true.
Vinh Long food & drink guide ranges from street food, authentic, fancy to fusion foods. As a tropical land of many fresh vegetables and homegrown gardens, which always make Vinh Long cuisines fresh, close to nature and very traditional. If you are a food lover, don’t hesitate to put other bites onto your food lists such as Hu Tieu My Tho (a kind of noodle soup but it is really yummy), elephant ear fish, snails with pepper, rambutan jam, snake wine, coconut candy, pop rice, Durian Ri6…
Bring your hat, sunglasses, and sunblock, scarf to wear when visiting temples, pagodas, and the cathedral.
Bring the raincoat if you’re planning a trip to Vinh Long in the rainy season, as Vinh Long always looks fantastic in the full rain and full sun.
Hopefully, the above tips will help you to come up with a great plan for your adventure in Vinh Long province, Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Have a safe trip!
“Sleep less, travel more, respect more” – Thomas Vietnam – Local travel expert.
Visitors to vinh long, a city on the picturesque Co Chien river, will be able to explore a number of well-known historical and cultural monuments. The temple of literature is one of them, a typical architectural achievement in the 19th century in southern vietnam.
Address: On the banks of Long Ho River, Tran Phu Street, Ward 4, Vinh Long
Added values: When visitors come to see the historic moss-colored corrugated iron roof, they will be greeted with the space’s default ambience and the satisfaction of glass for the forefathers.
Nearby attractions and hidden gems: Looking for places to stop on your way to and from Vinh Sang tourism? Or maybe you found it too crowded here? We’ve got some ideas! Check out our list: Vinh Long Pottery & Brick Kiln Factory (5 km), Vinh Sang Eco-tourism (14 km), Coconut Candy Traditional Village in Vinh Long (7 km), Tra on floating market (40 km), Vinh Long museum (3 km), Phu Ly pogada, Phu Ly Khmer Pagoda (34 km), May Islet (68 km), An Binh Islet (14 km), . . .
2. Travel Guide to Van Thanh Mieu Temple
In front is the Tam Quan Gate and two auxiliary gates built in the ancient style, with 3 roofs. On the top of the roof, there is a blue ceramic decoration of two dragons adoring the sun, and the roof is tiled with big tiles. The two sides of the column have parallel Chinese characters embossed with cement, meaning to promote Khong Tu and Confucianism
From the gate, going straight to Dai Thanh Palace is called “shino”. On the two sides of Shintoism are two rows of soaring stars like two floors of sentinels..
The campus of Van Thanh Temple is very large and has many shady trees. There are two lakes formerly planted with lotus, on the left is Nguyet Anh Lake and on the right is Nhat Tinh Lake.
Located at the end of “the Way” is the Temple of Literature, the main part is Dai Thanh Palace worshiping Confucius, in front are Ta Vu and Huu Vu worshiping the Seven Decades. This architectural complex was built surrounded by a concrete fence, with a very respectful and dignified entrance.
The interior of Dai Thanh Palace is decorated with altars: the middle is the altar of Confucius, the two sides are the altar of the twelve sages. Before is the altar of Teacher Chu Van An, the left side and the owner are worshiping the Twelve Sages, which are his 12 good games.
3. What to Do –See – Eat at Van Thanh Mieu Temple
It is because the temple lies nearby the town, you will see the street paved with concrete so it is quite easy to reach the place without difficulty. Strolling along to Van Thanh Mieu, you and other tourists get to feel the fresh airflow of the wind blowing from Long Ho River.
The gate to Van Thanh temple has two roofs painted in golden shade. This color was often used by the royal family in the past. Besides, the gate has an arch while the main entrance is bigger than the other two ports. Look at the portal where you can see the Chinese line “Van Thanh Temple”.
Particularly, when visitors visit Van Thanh Mieu Temple, they will see three steles. The first stele is engraved with the content written by Mr. Phan Thanh Gian before his death, the stele was established by Mr. Truong Ngoc Lang in 1872. The front side writes the reason for building the temple, praises the merits of the saint and the court, and the back side lists the benefactor. The second stele was erected in 1917. The front side records the event that Mr. Tong Huu Dinh campaigned for the restoration of the Temple of Literature in 1903. The backside records the meritorious and meritorious people. The third stele was erected in 1931, recording the words of Mrs. Truong Thi Loan donating land and entrusting the worship of her biological father and father-in-law at Van Xuong Cac.
Cannons are two of the old guns that were placed along the banks of the Co Chien River to keep the Vinh Long citadel. In 1937, these two guns were brought here. The initial position of the barrel is facing the Long Ho River. In 1960, when the gun pedestal was rebuilt, the barrel turned to the Southeast as it is today.
The Van Xuong Cac is a unique cultural work built in the same way as the snail to create the unique appearance of the Temple of Literature in Vinh Long. Van Xuong Cac is also known as Tho Lau, Tan Dinh, and Tuy Van Lau, consisting of two floors: the upper floor worships 03 Van Xuong De Quan (the god who looks after literature) where books are stored; The lower floor is a resting place when coming to Confucius’ sacrifice ceremony and is a place to comment and discuss martial arts of great officials at that time. In front is the altar of Gia Dinh executioner Sung Duc Tien Vo Truong Toan and Kham sai Kinh strategist Phan Thanh Gian
4. Free Itineraries from VeMekong
As a local travel expert, we have some ideas for you to think about.
From Vinh Long city center:
Route 1:
Route 2:
Route 3:
If you do not have much time left, it is easy to check out spots in one full day by boat or with bike or with motorbike and car. But there are much more than tourist sites like these in Vinh Long. Make sure you have more time to feel and explore more about the hidden gems and the culture, food, night life, wildlife and forest as well. Top tip: Stay in a homestay nearby, so you have more chances to visit it and surroundings. If you are looking for the package Vinh long daily tours with local, you can contact www.vemekong.com or Hotline/WhatsApp/WeChat/Zalo +84939888559; email: hello@vemekong.com
5. Google Maps of Van Thanh Mieu Temple
Google Maps made a name for itself helping people travel from one place to another, avoid traffic (You probably know the route from your hotel to the gas station by heart, but what you can’t be sure about is gridlock), measure a distance, get back to the hotel on time, share the location…
6. Visit Van Thanh Mieu Temple by yourself
Solo traveller? Travelling on your own means you will get out of any difficult situations by yourself. This, in turn, leads to more satisfying travel experiences and helps you improve your problem-solving skills. These days we rarely get the chance to sit with ourselves and simply be. That’s why you should consider the time you spend alone on your trip as a gift.
It is possible for solo travellers to use google maps and do it alone. But sometimes they need to update local maintained roads and bridges which close and lead you a longer road than the road from google maps. It is just about the time. It takes more time to find the correct garden to come. Adventure is always fun. Wifi is strong in Vinh long village! The locals find it hard to speak English as well. Top tip: Sticking to one canal and keeping going along it which gives you more things to see and avoids getting lost. Contact vemekong.com to hire a car, scooter with English-speaking-guide or cycling tours in Vinh long
7. Responsible Travel and Advice to Visit Van Thanh Mieu Temple
It is always good to repeat “responsible travel” over and over. Van Thanh Mieu temple is a solemn place, so you should choose beautiful clothes that are still polite and discreet. There are many statues. If you go with the children, please remind them not to climb/touch because these are sacred symbols of Buddhism. We do appreciate any of you who do visit and take good behavior to this temple. Please do not make noise when you get in. Top tip: Vemekong.com is one of the companies that care a lot about responsible travel and local respectation.
8. Amazing Video flycam/drone of Van Thanh Mieu Temple (4k)
If a picture says a thousand words, it stands to reason that the video says many times more.
9. Incredible Tips for Photography, Specialists, KOLs, Media and Influencers
To get the best of the best for your unique writing, featuring, photo, video and insider’s stories. We do recommend you to have a local travel expert, the one who always gets more ground information and makes sure every single element is solved perfectly. The Vemekong (very exclusive Mekong) team is your priority choice. Email and have a private talk with them to customize your journey smoothly, personal and the most ultimately amazing. You can contact www.vemekong.com or Hotline/WhatsApp/WeChat/Zalo +84939888559; email: hello@vemekong.com
10. Pro Tips
Best time to visit Cai Be floating market is from 5:30am-6:30am. I hope you have an amazing sunrise on the Mekong Delta river.
You can stay in a homestay which is near the floating market, this will help you out the best option. Then you can hire a scooter, car or bike and explore it by yourself, but you still need to hire a boat for the Cai Be floating market.
If you plan to extend your travel to Cai Be Vinh Long homestay, do not forget to bring mosquito repellent cream.
Visit Vinh Long or do any customized tours, please choose reputable providers with boat trips equipped with lifebuoys, jackets, motorcycle and cycling tours with the helmets and. Safety is a priority! Choose Vinh Long responsible tours which help you give back while traveling. It’s a cliché, but it’s true.
Vinh Long food & drink guide ranges from street food, authentic, fancy to fusion foods. As a tropical land of many fresh vegetables and homegrown gardens, which always make Vinh Long cuisines fresh, close to nature and very traditional. If you are a food lover, don’t hesitate to put other bites onto your food lists such as Hu Tieu My Tho (a kind of noodle soup but it is really yummy), elephant ear fish, snails with pepper, rambutan jam, snake wine, coconut candy, pop rice, Durian Ri6…
Bring your hat, sunglasses, and sunblock, scarf to wear when visiting temples, pagodas, and the cathedral.
Bring the raincoat if you’re planning a trip to Vinh Long in the rainy season, as Vinh Long always looks fantastic in the full rain and full sun.
Hopefully, the above tips will help you to come up with a great plan for your adventure in Vinh Long province, Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Have a safe trip!
“Sleep less, travel more, respect more” – Thomas Vietnam – Local travel expert.
Surrounded by ancient star trees and green palm trees, Phu Ly Khmer pagoda has a very tranquil setting and is an impressive vinh long tourist attraction that visitors should not miss.
Address: Phu Ly Khmer Pagoda is located in Dong Thanh Commune, Binh Minh Town, Vinh Long Province
Added values: More particularly, Khmer Phu Ly Pagoda is an ancient temple in Vinh Long with beautiful and peaceful landscape. This building is the interference between Indian, Thai and Cambodian architecture, creating a unique feature that few temples have.
Phu Ly Khmer pagoda
Nearby attractions and hidden gems: Looking for places to stop on your way to and from Vinh Sang tourism? Or maybe you found it too crowded here? We’ve got some ideas! Check out our list: Vinh Long Pottery & Brick Kiln Factory (39 km), Vinh Sang Eco-tourism (46 km), Coconut Candy Traditional Village in Vinh Long (4 km), Tra on floating market (16 km), Vinh Long museum (33 km), Van Thanh Mieu Temple (35 km), May Islet (3o minutes), An Binh Islet (51 km), . . .
2. Travel Guide to Phu Ly Khmer Pagoda
Phu Ly Khmer pagoda
Although located deep in the countryside, Phu Ly Pagoda is still very attractive to Buddhist pilgrims as well as an ideal stopover for many tourists. This is an ancient and beautiful temple associated with many unique legends of the Khmer people in the South. During the New Year holidays and other Khmer New Year holidays, the temple is the convergence of Khmer, Vietnamese and Chinese people to visit and celebrate Tet.
Book Direct: Hotline/WhatsApp/WeChat/Zalo +84939888559
hello@vemekong.com
The temple has bold Khmer architecture with main yellow painted walls and soaring dome with the statue of Goddess Kayno in the position of reaching up to support the roof frill, creating a transition between the vertical of the columns and the horizontal of the roof.
Phu Ly Khmer pagoda
The main hall of the pagoda follows the typical three-level roof architecture of the Khmer people in the Southwest region with the largest bottom fold and gradually decreasing to the top. The top crease is triangular, the center has a sharp spike that rises up.
The main hall worships Shakyamuni Buddha and many Arhats. On the walls and ceiling of the main hall are decorated with paintings telling stories of Buddha from birth to enlightenment and many Khmer fairy tales.
The main hall is built high and is about 1.5m above the ground. In addition to the main hall, when you go around the courtyard, you will see many other buildings that are dining rooms, rest rooms and offices of monks. Khmer Phu Ly Pagoda is not only a spiritual tourist destination, a pilgrimage site to worship Buddha, but also a place for local people to organize classes for young monks and children to learn Khmer, Kinh and Vietnamese languages. social sciences, natural sciences, and Buddhist teachings.
3. What to Do –See – Eat at Phu Ly Pagoda
Phu Ly Khmer pagoda
Walking around the temple, you will feel the peace, airy but no less ancient thanks to the appearance of ancient trees and palm trees. Outside the pagoda is a crematorium to serve the cremation needs of many families, most of which are of the Khmer. If you want to learn about the architectural style of Khmer temples in the Southwest region, visit Phu Ly pagoda. You will not only have the opportunity to admire the magnificent architecture, but also feel the peace at the Buddha’s door.
Route 2: By Scooter from Can Tho AM or PM, Phu Ly pagoda, village of making tofu skin, the plant nursery village, small tranquil canals deep in the countryside
Route 3: By bicycle
If you do not have much time left, it is easy to check out spots in one full day by boat or with bike or with motorbike and car. But there are much more than tourist sites like these in Vinh Long. Make sure you have more time to feel and explore more about the hidden gems and the culture, food, night life, wildlife and forest as well. Top tip: Stay in a homestay nearby, so you have more chances to visit it and surroundings. If you are looking for the package Vinh long daily tours with local, you can contact www.vemekong.com or Hotline/WhatsApp/WeChat/Zalo +84939888559; email: hello@vemekong.com
5. Google Maps of Phu Ly Pagoda
Google Maps made a name for itself helping people travel from one place to another, avoid traffic (You probably know the route from your hotel to the gas station by heart, but what you can’t be sure about is gridlock), measure a distance, get back to the hotel on time, share the location…
Book Direct: Hotline/WhatsApp/WeChat/Zalo +84939888559
hello@vemekong.com
Solo traveller? Travelling on your own means you will get out of any difficult situations by yourself. This, in turn, leads to more satisfying travel experiences and helps you improve your problem-solving skills. These days we rarely get the chance to sit with ourselves and simply be. That’s why you should consider the time you spend alone on your trip as a gift.
It is possible for solo travellers to use google maps and do it alone. But sometimes they need to update local maintained roads and bridges which close and lead you a longer road than the road from google maps. It is just about the time. It takes more time to find the correct garden to come. Adventure is always fun. Wifi is strong in Vinh long village! The locals find it hard to speak English as well. Top tip: Sticking to one canal and keeping going along it which gives you more things to see and avoids getting lost. Contact vemekong.com to hire a car, scooter with English-speaking-guide or cycling tours in Vinh long
7. Responsible Travel and Advice to Visit Phu Ly Pagoda
Don’t get us wrong. But we assure you that you totally agree with us. “Do not give candy and things to the children when you plan to visit any local villages”, the kids will leave the school and follow the sweets and later they find some things to give you or sell to you. The garden is a little forest, don’t pick and touch the flowers or fruits without the local’s smiles. We deal with traveling green and leaving green behind, not plastic. Top tip: Can Tho River Tour and Vemekong.com are some of the companies that care a lot about responsible travel and local respectation.
8. Amazing Video flycam/drone of Phu Ly Pagoda (4k)
If a picture says a thousand words, it stands to reason that the video says many times more.
9. Incredible Tips for Photography, Specialists, KOLs, Media and Influencers
Phu Ly Khmer pagoda
To get the best of the best for your unique writing, featuring, photo, video and insider’s stories. We do recommend you to have a local travel expert, the one who always gets more ground information and makes sure every single element is solved perfectly. The Vemekong (very exclusive Mekong) team is your priority choice. Email and have a private talk with them to customize your journey smoothly, personal and the most ultimately amazing. You can contact www.vemekong.com or Hotline/WhatsApp/WeChat/Zalo +84939888559; email: hello@vemekong.com
10. Pro Tips
Phu Ly Khmer Pagoda is a solemn place, so you should choose beautiful clothes that are still polite and discreet. In the temple grounds, there are many animal statues such as elephants, snakes, etc. If you go with the children, please remind them not to climb because these are sacred symbols of the Khmer people.
The monks don’t ask for money, although donations won’t hurt.
Best time to visit Cai Be floating market is from 5:30am-6:30am. I hope you have an amazing sunrise on the Mekong Delta river.
You can stay in a homestay which is near the floating market, this will help you out the best option. Then you can hire a scooter, car or bike and explore it by yourself, but you still need to hire a boat for the Cai Be floating market.
If you plan to extend your travel to Cai Be Vinh Long homestay, do not forget to bring mosquito repellent cream.
Visit Vinh Long or do any customized tours, please choose reputable providers with boat trips equipped with lifebuoys, jackets, motorcycle and cycling tours with the helmets and. Safety is a priority! Choose Vinh Long responsible tours which help you give back while traveling. It’s a cliché, but it’s true.
Vinh Long food & drink guide ranges from street food, authentic, fancy to fusion foods. As a tropical land of many fresh vegetables and homegrown gardens, which always make Vinh Long cuisines fresh, close to nature and very traditional. If you are a food lover, don’t hesitate to put other bites onto your food lists such as Hu Tieu My Tho (a kind of noodle soup but it is really yummy), elephant ear fish, snails with pepper, rambutan jam, snake wine, coconut candy, pop rice, Durian Ri6…
Bring your hat, sunglasses, and sunblock, scarf to wear when visiting temples, pagodas, and the cathedral.
Bring the raincoat if you’re planning a trip to Vinh Long in the rainy season, as Vinh Long always looks fantastic in the full rain and full sun.
Hopefully, the above tips will help you to come up with a great plan for your adventure in Vinh Long province, Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Have a safe trip!
“Sleep less, travel more, respect more” – Thomas Vietnam – Local travel expert.
Planning a holiday to Sa Dec? Discover top reasons to go, best time to visit, tours and free itineraries, history and hidden gems with the official guide! Find out what to do, where to go, where to stay and what to eat in Sa Dec from the local travel experts who know it best. If you’re not able to visit just yet, plan ahead to make the most of your wish-lists.
Sa Dec (Sadec) Travel Guide & Tickets – The Official Visitor Information Center
The former capital of Dong Thap province, Sa Dec is probably on the radar for most foreign visitors thanks to the vast flower nurseries located on the far side of the river. In addition, Sa Dec was immortalized by Jean-Jacques Annaud’s film L’Amant (The lover), based on the best-selling novel by French writer Marguerite Duras, which tells her love story with Huynh Thuy Le, the 27-year-old son of a wealthy Chinese family, when she was only 15. During the Vietnam War between 1966 and 1967, this Sadec town was a base for American patrol boats and fast boats. Sa Dec is about 175 km from HCMC, 51 km from Can Tho and 105 km from Chau Doc for PhnomPenh Cambodia by speedboat.
Top Reasons to Go
Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House
If you ever fall in love with the novel “The Lover” of the French writer Marguerite Duras, which has been translated into 43 languages and made into film in 1992, this house is a place for you to know more about her passionate love. Made famous by The Lover, Huynh Le Thuy was Duras’ lover—at the time he was 27 and she 15—and while this was his home, their love–nest was in Cho Lon in Ho Chi Minh City. The house dates back to 1895, renovated in 1917, and is a meld of French, Chinese and Vietnamese styles.
Sa Dec Flower Village
For 100 years, it has been one of the largest floral centres in Southern vietnam. Several flowers and herbs such as roses, orchids, arecas, etc., grown alternately, make it a magical village full of colours and aromas. Sa Dec is famous for its rose garden which houses more than 50 kinds of roses that are transported daily to Ho Chi Minh City and other provinces.
Non-touristy
This city is not familiar to intl tourists yet.
Xeo Quyt Forest – Xeo Quyt Relic Area
The forest covers an area of 50 hectares, containing 20 hectares of cajuput over 30 years old. Xeo Quyt Relic Area, which conceals former Viet Cong bunkers deep in the cajeput forest 30km southeast of Cao Lanh. The district’s dense cover provided the perfect bolthole for Viet Cong guerrillas during the American War, and from 1960 to 1975 the struggle against America and the ARVN was masterminded from here.
Getting here and around
Nowadays Sa Dec is getting easier for everyone to get there and get around. It also means that traveling to the town won’t take much sweat, especially when you get here by public bus, car via the highway. We will break this down in detail, so check the information below to choose your best vehicle option.
Air travel: Currently, there aren’t any direct flights to Sa Dec. The nearest one is Tan Son Nhat intl airport and Tra Noc intl (Can Tho) airport.
Bus travel: From Ho Chi Minh city to Sa Dec. The best bus company for getting from Saigon to Sa Dec is the Futa Bus Lines company. You can catch a bus from the Western bus station (address: 395 Kinh Duong Vuong, An Lac Ward, Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh City) with the time to travel to Sa Dec is 3 hours (142km), to buy tickets or contact system of specialized vehicles running Saigon – Sadec route such as: Phuong Trang (futa bus lines), add in Saigon: 272 De Tham, District 1. Tel for booking ticket: 19006067. Once you’ve arrived at the Sa Dec Bus Station, take a taxi to your Sa Dec accommodation. Or, if taking the Futa bus line, take the complimentary transportation van which goes to certain areas in 10 km distance. For your return trip, you can pre-book your tickets or have your accommodation help reserve the tickets for you.
Bus travel: From Can Tho to Sa Dec. Take the public bus as Futa bus line. Super easy to have a ticket. These buses are great and new and AC and depart from Can Tho to Saigon. On the way, you can tell the driver to drop you off in Sa Dec if you do not go straight to HCMC.
Boat travel: Not a public boat yet.
Speed Boat travel: From HCMC to Sadec. Not yet
Speed Boat travel: From Can Tho to Sa Dec. Not yet
Cruises: Bassac cruise starts from Can Tho to Vinh Long Sadec Vinh Long Cai Be Tien Giang
Train travel: Not yet.
Bicycle and motorcycle travel: While it’s possible to rent a motorbike to explore the Sa Dec, most visitors choose to utilize the free bicycles offered by most resorts and homestays. The roads are bumpy and occasionally muddy but the distances are relatively short. You’ll notice that many of the locals opt to travel by bike as well so you’ll be in good company. From HCMC you can find “Thanh Lam motorbike rental shop: Address at No.17C Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, contact: 0902 840 361” or “Style Motorbikes motorbike rental shop: Address at No.42/24 Tran Dinh Xu Street, Co Giang Ward, District 1, contact: 0915.139.796” and “Dragon Bikes motorbike rental shop: Address at No.182/5A De Tham Street, Cau Ong Lanh Ward, District 1, contact: 0909 283 280.
Ferry travel:
Best time to Visit Sa Dec
Sa Dec welcomes you in any season all year round, each of which will certainly offer you specifically different types of pleasure and satisfaction. However, the best time to visit Sa Dec is in the dry season, from November to April, because the landscape and ecosystem are quite distinctive. If you visit Sa Dec in January or February (Tet holiday – Lunar New Year in Vietnam), don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Sa Dec’s flower village
Floating season (September – December): It is the best time to visit Sa Dec and the Mekong Delta region in general.
Rainy season (May – October): It is not a bad choice when traveling to Sa Dec during rainy seasons since the rains are short and will not affect your trip. May is also a great time for birding in Gao Giong bird sanctuary, many other places. If you want to see thousands of flying cranes in the sky at dawn as in a fantastic picture, you should visit Tram Chim National Park from late April to May.
Dry season (January – April): If you plan to travel to Sa Dec in the dry season, the sun can rise to 37-38oC, dry weather, canals begin to dry up, dry fields.
Sa Dec Tourist Attractions
Sa Dec Flower Village
Located near the Tien River, this village is becoming famous for its exotic and colourful varieties of flowers planted on 600 hectares. For 100 years, it has been one of the largest floral centres in Southern vietnam. Several flowers and herbs such as roses, orchids, arecas, etc., grown alternately, make it a magical village full of colours and aromas. Sa Dec is famous for its rose garden which houses more than 50 kinds of roses that are transported daily to Ho Chi Minh City and other provinces. You can also see century-old bonsai trees made by talented artists with beautiful and strange shapes. The particularity of Sa Dec flowers is that they are not planted on the ground but in bamboo baskets to avoid submergence. The best time to visit the flower village of Sa Dec is about 10 to 15 days before the Tet before they are shipped to markets in other parts of southern Vietnamese provinces… Read more info & pictures
Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House
From the Sa Dec market, walk back to the river again and walk further north along the river’s edge and, on your left you’ll see Huynh Thuy Le Ancient Home (admission 30,000 dong). If you ever fall in love with the novel “The Lover” of the French writer Marguerite Duras, which has been translated into 43 languages and made into film in 1992, this house is a place for you to know more about her passionate love. Made famous by The Lover, Huynh Le Thuy was Duras’ lover—at the time he was 27 and she 15—and while this was his home, their love–nest was in Cho Lon in Ho Chi Minh City. The house dates back to 1895, renovated in 1917, and is a meld of French, Chinese and Vietnamese styles. The Huynh Thuy Le old house, now administered by Dong Thap Tourism, features some elaborate carved panels and lashings of gold lacquer work, as well as some photos of the couple in question. The 119 year old house is recognized as one of the most impressive destinations in Vietnam by the Vietnam Federation of UNESCO Associations… Read more info & pictures
Tu Ton Rose Garden
A few kilometres north of town by the river, Sa Dec’s famed flower nurseries consist of more than a hundred farms cultivating a host of ferns, fruit trees, shrubs and flowers. The expansive grounds of Tu Ton Rose Garden get the lion’s share of tourists visiting the area. In addition to the varieties of rose cultivated here, over 580 species of plant are grown, ranging from orchids, carnations and chrysanthemums, through to medicinal herbs and pines grown for export around Asia… Read more info & pictures
Dong Thap Museum
While in town, it’s worth having a look around the Dong Thap Museum. Though there are no English signs, this place has a well-organized display of fossils, skulls, farming tools, fish traps, basketware and textiles, as well as the inevitable paintings of heroic Vietnamese forces repelling French and American troops… Read more info & pictures
Xeo Quyt Forest – Xeo Quyt Relic Area
The forest covers an area of 50 hectares, containing 20 hectares of cajuput over 30 years old. You’ll most likely need to go through the local tourist office if you want to take a trip out to Xeo Quyt Relic Area, which conceals former Viet Cong bunkers deep in the cajeput forest 30 km southeast of Cao Lanh. The district’s dense cover provided the perfect bolthole for Viet Cong guerrillas during the American War, and from 1960 to 1975 the struggle against America and the ARVN was masterminded from here. The boggy nature of the terrain made a tunnel system similar to that of Cu Chi unfeasible, so they made do with six submerged metal chambers sealed with tar and resin. If you travel through the cajuput forest in a sampan during your trip to Southern vietnam, you will have the opportunity to contemplate the beauty of the relic… Read more info & pictures
Gao Giong Eco-Tourism Park (Cao Lanh)
It has long been famous as a “green oasis” with the charming natural landscape, the land is like a miniature Dong Thap Muoi of the southwestern region by the wild and rustic features bestowed by nature. Gao Giong Dong Thap tourism, after purchasing the entrance ticket, you will be invited to drink lotus heart tea, eat roasted lotus seeds, watch an overview and detailed video introduction about the resort. Before visiting the garden, you will get to the observatory 18 meters high and borrow binoculars. From here, you can observe almost the entire bird garden with deep green Melaleuca forests… Read more info & pictures
Lai Vung Tangerine Garden
Lai Vung is a district in Dong Thap province. It’s located in the southern key economic region of Dong Thap province, with a very important position. Between the Tien and Hau rivers, adjacent to Sa Dec industrial park, across the Tra Noc industrial park in Can. Poetry and adjacent to major urban centres of the region such as Can Tho city, Long Xuyen city (in An Giang) are very convenient for attracting investment and development. Lai Vung was famous in the past for Nam Bo Nem Chua, in addition to there are tangerines… Read more info & pictures
Tram Chim National Park (Birding tour)
Of the 220 species of bird nesting at Tram Chim National Park (previously Tam Nong Bird Sanctuary), it’s the sarus cranes, with their distinctive red heads, which most visitors come to see. In flight above the marshland of the sanctuary, the slender grey birds reveal spectacular black-tipped wings. Cranes feed from the land, so when the spate season (July to November) waterlogs the delta, they migrate to Cambodia. Visiting the park can be quite expensive, so this is a trip for committed bird enthusiasts only – if you’re keen, ask at the office of Dong Thap Tourist in Cao Lanh for details. Most people do the rounds of the park by boat, though there’s not much to be seen outside the months of December to May… Read more info & pictures
Kim Hue Pagoda
Kim Hue Pagoda was built in 1806 by the tranquil channel of Cai Son, Sa Dec, Dong Thap Province. The highlight of the pagoda is its unique Chinese-styled architecture with red-brick walls, ancient tile roof, and solemn wooden pillars. Kim Hue Pagoda was once the Buddhism school for local monks in the Western Vietnam, which makes it one of the most famous pagodas in this region for hundreds of years. If you’re searching for a rare peaceful moment among bustling city life in Ho Chi Minh City, then taking a trip to Kim Hue to enjoy the sounds of placid wind chimes and peaceful wooden bells is a great idea… Read more info & pictures
Thap Muoi Lotus Field in Dong Thap
The outskirts of Sa Dec Town are home to immense lotus swamps that you can hardly find anywhere else in Southern Vietnam. One of the best things to do in Dong Thap is to unlock the lotus fields in Dong Thap Muoi where the hidden gem and its traditional beauty is. Tourists can weave in and out the farm for sightseeing, photos and studying more about lotus as the national flower of Vietnam.… Read more info & pictures
Sa Dec Tours and Free itineraries
As a local travel expert in Sa Dec, here is some options for your Sa Dec discovery:
Itinerary 1: Sa Dec Xeo Quyt Forest Tour from Sa Dec (full day)
Itinerary 2: Sa Dec Xeo Quyt Forest Tour from Can Tho (full day)
Itinerary 3: Sa Dec Tour from Can Tho (half day)
Itinerary 4: Sa Dec Tour from Can Tho (2 days 1 night)
Itinerary 5: Sa Dec Tour from Can Tho and Drop off in HCMC (full day)
Itinerary 6: Sa Dec Vinh Long Tour from Can Tho (full day)
Itinerary 7: Sa Dec Tour from Can Tho and Drop off in Chau Doc (full day)
If you do not have much time left, it is easy to check out spots in one full day by boat or with bike or with motorbike and car. But there are much more than tourist sites like these in Sa Dec. Make sure you have more time to feel and explore more about the hidden gems and the culture, food, night life, wildlife and forest as well. Top tip: Stay in a homestay nearby, so you have more chances to visit it and surroundings. If you are looking for the package Sa Dec daily tour with local, you can contact www.vemekong.com or Hotline/WhatsApp/WeChat/Zalo +84939888559; email: hello@vemekong.com
Sa Dec Homestays and Hotels
Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House
Address: 225A Nguyen Hue Street, Ward 2, Sa Dec City
Tel: (+84) 27 73 77 39 37
Price: VND 550,000/2 guests
The authority in Sa Dec is currently exploiting the tourism potential of Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House – an exquisite design with many historical values. They have offered homestay accommodation for tourists to Sa Dec. That’s why you should try a homestay experience in the house.
Maison En Bambou Phong-le Vent
Address: Khanh Hoa Hamlet, Tan Khanh Dong Commune, Sa Dec City
Phone: (+84) 93 929 83 88
Price: USD25/bungalow for 2 guests
Maison En Bambou Phong-le Vent is well-known as the Sa Dec’s most impressive homestay with the unique bamboo design. The homestay is nestled right in the middle of the Sa Dec flower village, so it’s fairly remote from the outside. You can find out the specialties of the Mekong Delta in this homestay, and there are also many interesting activities to experience, such as fishing, kayaking, and cycling around the flower village. The bamboo design looks amazing, and there is a private restroom in your own room. Keep in mind that there is no air-conditioning in any room of the homestay. The ambiance there is peaceful and awesome for people who love things of the countryside.
Flower & Frog Homestay
Address: 43 Bui Thi Xuan Street, Tan Quy Dong Ward, Sa Dec City, Dong Thap Province
Flower & Frog Homestay is absolutely ideal to experience the life of local people. Staying there is a chance to soak up the pleasant atmosphere full of flowers. Right when you step to the front of the homestay, it seems that countless colored flowers are welcoming you. Near the homestay is the Tien river, making the scenery around more romantic.
Rose Homestay
Address: 156 TL 848 Khanh Nhon Hamlet, Tan Khanh Dong Commune, Sa Dec City.
Tucked away in the large flower gardens, Rose Homestay looks like a princess protected by pretty flowers. What do you think about staying in a place full of flowers? If you love, Rose is exactly the place you choose.
Cat Moc Hostel: 82 Ton Duc Thang Street, Sa Dec City. Price from VND400,000/night
Thanh Gai Hostel: 45 Sa Nhien Street, Quy Dong Ward, Sa Dec City. Price from VND150,000/night
Thanh Cong Hotel: 279 Provincial Route 848, Sa Dec City. Price from VND250,000/night
Huong Sen Hotel: 18 Vo Truong Toan Street, Cao Lanh City. Price from VND600,000/night
Mong Yen Hotel: 786 Pham Huu Cau Street, Cao Lanh City. Price from VND200,000/night
Huynh Duc Hotel: 1 Ngo Thoi Nhiem Street, Cao Lanh City. Price from VND200,000/night
Kim Le Hotel: 260 Ton Duc Thang Street, Cao Lanh City. Price from VND250,000/night
Sa Dec Markets, Shopping and Souvenirs
Sa Dec Market
It is one of the many key destinations for those who want to get a glimpse of the daily life of the local population in this Southern Vietnamese city. The market is located near the river, so the boat is one of the best choices to visit this local market and enjoy the magnificent view from the river… Read more info & pictures
Sa Dec Night Market
Sa Dec market of Sa Dec city, Dong Thap province was formed from group meetings, along the banks of the Cai River, surrounded by many canals connecting this region with other regions. Sa Dec market specializes in wholesale and retail, and is also the largest wholesale market in the region. Sa Dec market includes many areas such as farmers market, food market, …, divided on the streets: Au Co, Lac Long Quan, An Duong Vuong, Nguyen Sinh Sac, Tran Hung Dao, Nguyen Hue of the city Sa Dec… Read more info & pictures
Things to buy in Sa Dec
After finishing the interesting Sa Dec tour, you can buy Sa Dec specialties to bring back as gifts. The specialties that many people choose to buy are Lai Vung spring rolls and Sa Giang shrimp crackers at Giao Quy store. Or you can stop by Lai Vung mandarin shop to buy very delicious pink tangerines.
Sa Dec Food and Drink
My Ngoc Noodle Soup
Location: 154 Hung Vuong Street, Ward 2, Sa Dec Provincial Town, Dong Thap Province.
Opening hours: 7:00 – 22:00.
Prices: from 60,000 VND.
Coming to Hu Tieu My Ngoc, you can order a portion of Clear rice noodle soup (Hủ tiếu nước) or a portion of Mixed clear rice noodles (Hủ tiếu khô). The Mixed clear rice noodles consist of clear rice noodles, toppings mixed with a special sauce, the broth is served separately in a bowl. The Clear rice noodle soup consists of clear rice noodles, toppings and broth. Both of the Hủ tiếu nước and Hủ tiếu khô are served with vegetables. Diners can add lime juice, chili pepper, soy sauce, fish sauce at their wishes. They usually eat the noodles, toppings and vegetables with chopsticks and eat the broth with spoons. The highlights of Hu Tieu My Ngoc include the delicious broth and secret recipe for the special sauce. Dong Thap is famous for tender, sticky, chewy, and smelling clear rice noodles. Any trip to Dong Thap has not been completed if clear rice noodle dishes are missed… Read more info & pictures
Khói Quán
A small restaurant that is loved for its lively atmosphere, the menu at the Khói Quán features a blend of Vietnamese and European influence. Meals at the restaurant are generous in portions, so travelers can easily place multiple orders to share amongst a group. For convenience, the restaurant does offer takeaway and delivery.
Tam Thanh restaurant
For good food with affordable prices, travelers should have a meal at the Nhà Hàng Tám Thành. Ingredients used by the chefs at the restaurant rely on the local fishermen to provide fresh fish to diners. For vegetarians, there are also a few items on the menu that use locally sourced vegetables instead.
Sa Dec Street Foods. If you want to enjoy the bustling riverside street atmosphere when the city lights up, the rows of shops along the embankment of Sa Dec River will be the ideal culinary choice for you. Because there are many restaurants, especially the delicious and cheap ones, especially Dong Thap crab hotpot specialty. If you want to enjoy delicious seafood, Loc Hue restaurant near Sat Sat Bridge (namely Tran Phu, Sa Dec) or a seafood restaurant on the street, restaurant 333, … is a suitable suggestion. For fans of hot pot, you should choose Tan Loc chicken hotpot shop (Zone A, Sa Dec industrial park) or Tu Lam hotpot shop (at the end of Thong Nhat street). Hai Hien beef hotpot and Ngoc Lan hotpot (near the bank of Sa Dec embankment) are also quite delicious.
Sadec crab hotpot (Lau Cua Dong Co Ut Sa Dec)
Visiting Sa Dec, you can’t leave its mouth-watering Mekong Delta cuisines behind. The first delicacy you have to try must be crab hotpot with the freshest crab collected only from local rivers and canals, various healthy vegetables, herbs and secret Vietnamese ingredients. Some other specialties you should try are grilled fish, snails… Read more info & pictures
Sa Dec noodle soup
Noodle dishes Sa Dec is definitely not to be missed when traveling Sa Dec. Almost every Mekong Delta province has a noodle dish, but the familiar dish of the Sa Dec people has a very strange taste. This is partly due to the fact that the noodles are chewy and slightly larger.
Here is a list of the famous noodle restaurants in Sa Dec that you can choose to enjoy in your Sa Dec tour:
Ba Sam noodle soup is located at 188 Tran Hung Dao, Ward 1, Sa Dec city.
Phu Thanh noodle soup, 75 Tran Hung Dao, Ward 1, Sa Dec City.
Co Lien noodle soup, 111 Tran Phu, Ward 1, Sa Dec city.
Baby Year vegetarian noodle soup: 27 Au Co, Ward 2, Sa Dec City.
Ms. Dau noodle soup: the shop is located in Hamlet 1, Tran Hung Dao, Ward 1, Sa Dec.
Dinh Yen mat village is in Dong Thap province’s Lap Vo District in the Mekong Delta and people are sure to be fascinated by the colourful mats there. Red, green, yellow, and purple are the main colours used and they can be seen almost everywhere in the village, which lies along the Hau River. Some 3,000 people from several generations are involved in mat making. There are many elderly craftsmen still working in the village. The mat makers grow the sedge they require along the river. According to the local elderly of the village, mat making emerged as a profession in Dinh Yen in the 1920s. Without enough raw materials back then, villagers had to source them from nearby provinces. The craft peaked in the 1980s when the village’s products were exported to Thailand, Cambodia and East European countries. Nowadays villagers use machines to save time though the details on the mats are still completely made by hand. The village’s craft was recognised as an intangible national heritage in 2013… Read more info & pictures
Kien An Cung Pagoda
Kien An Cung Pagoda, also known as Ong Quach Pagoda, is located in Ward 2, Sa Dec, Dong Thap Province. Kien An Cung Pagoda was built in 1924 and completed in 1927. This pagoda was built by a group of Chinese in Fujian (China) to worship ancestors, unite the community, meetings, discuss trading and exchanging information, etc. Kien An Cung Pagoda has a Chinese architecture design, with the overall picture of the word: “工” consisting of three compartments, the largest of which is the middle of the pagoda. Roof tiles are made meticulously, including 3 layers: the upper surface is tile, the middle is brick and the final layer is tile. Kien An Cung Pagoda roof is built like a wave, each wave is a miniature palace, consisting of 6 palaces. Kien An Cung Pagoda was built in a unique architectural style, with sophisticated and skillful carvings of artisans. The two sides of the wall have many images and symbols with many meanings of religion and education. The wall is decorated with many pictures of trees, birds, animals, and human statues made of miniature colored ceramic pieces. On the door, there are 6 gold lions and a picture of the king, and mandarin life scenes. On the two sides of the main entrance, there are two poem sentences decorated with a pattern around and carving apricot blossom and cranes background. In front of the main hall, there are two big stone unicorns with a big pearl on the mouth which are exquisitely carved. On the left and right sides, there are two gods of Good – Evil. Inside, there is a small courtyard for worshiping… Read more info & pictures
Phuong Nam Cultural Tourism Area
Phuong Nam Cultural Tourism Area is located in Long Hung A Commune, Lap Vo District, Dong Thap Province with an area of about 5ha, with many works. In particular, the highlight is Nam Phuong Linh Tu temple, built according to the ancient wooden architecture – new wood with traditional Hue style house. The temple has 7 compartments, 2 wings, 3 hearts with lower roof and patio surrounding an area of 509m2 with 60 pillars (diameter of 0.45m or more). The system of doors, covers, bas reliefs, horizontal lines, couplets all use wooden furniture, which is carved very artfully and elaborately. Inside the temple, there are 21 bronze statues of the public who open the door and the spirit of 125 characters who have publicly discovered, preserved and glorified the southern region … Phuong Nam Cultural Tourism Area is the venue for many entertainment activities, experiences, and culinary activities… Read more info & pictures
Phuoc Kien Pagoda (Lotus Leaf Pagoda)
14 kilometers from the city center of Sa Dec, Phuoc Kien Pagoda is renowned for ponds full of huge lotus leaves. It’s known that the lotus leaves are big enough for 1-2 adults to stand on. You’ll be astonished by that kind of lotus leaves once you visit Phuoc Kien Pagoda…
The burial place of Nguyen Sinh Sac
On the southwestern outskirts of town, a landscaped park contains a monument, shaped like an open clam, which marks the burial place of Ho Chi Minh’s father, Nguyen Sinh Sac. The park’s area has recently been expanded to include several examples of stilted houses typical of the south, as well as a replica of Ho Chi Minh’s house in Hanoi. With a lake and benches in shady areas, it’s a pleasant place to pass an hour or so… Read more info & pictures
Sa Dec town park
Besides the flower village and the old house of Huynh Thuy Le, the central park of Sa Dec city is also a tourist destination in Dong Thap with many unique features. When you come here, in addition to enjoying the fresh and cool space, you can also sit on the bench decorated in harmony with many kinds of plants and monuments. Many visitors are very excited to relax in this poetic scene… Read more info & pictures
Happy Land Hung Thy Tourist Area
Happy Land Hung Thy Tourist Area is located right in the campus of Sa Dec flower village. This place is considered a combination of ornamental and floral works but also fun garden entertainment games. When you come here, visitors will be visited to take pictures of beautiful flower gardens and participate in fun games with adventure such as monkey bridge cycling, river swing, monkey bridge, canoeing, bridge shake… Read more info & pictures
Address: 226 – Nguyen Thai Hoc, Ward 4, Cao Lanh City, Dong Thap, Cao Lanh City, Dong Thap.
Added values: Dong Thap Museum is a place to introduce the values of the traditional cultural history of Dong Thap people in the life and activities as well as the heroic history of the Dong Thap Party Committee, army, and people in the struggle for national liberation… Read more info & pictures
Sa Dec Nightlife
Sa Dec Festivals, Sports and Outdoor Activities
Sa Dec Health and Safety
Dos and Don’ts for Your Trip to Sa Dec
Practical tips: Ways to save, Internet, Water, Learn a little Vietnamese and pro Tips
Ways to save:
Stay somewhere with free breakfast. Many budget hotels offer free breakfast to guests.
Eat street food. Food stalls are cheap and plentiful and are a great place to try regional specialities.
Travel by bicycle/motorbike. These two-wheeled bikes are among the cheapest ways to get around Can Tho and Mekong Delta region.
Stick to free attractions. If you’re really tight for cash, attractions such as markets cost nothing.
Sa Dec group tours. If you want to see and learn as much as possible with your limited time.
Internet:
Free Wi-Fi can be found everywhere from hotels to coffee shops. If you are from the EU you should be able to use your own data plan too. Or contact the hotel for the sim card.
Water:
Tap water is supposed to be safe but I advise against drinking it. It’s just not worth the risk. My advice is to use bottled water and save yourself from unexpected stomach problems.
Learn a little Vietnamese:
Sure, you can get by with just speaking English, but trying to speak the local language opens you up to much more polite & meaningful interactions with people. Even if you are not perfect or you make a mistake, your effort is appreciated. At a bare minimum: Hello = xin chao (sin chow), yes = dạ vâng, no = không (khom), thank you = cám ơn (kahm uhn), I’m sorry = tôi xin lỗi (toy sin loy), no problem/you’re welcome = không có gì (khong koh zi), goodbye = tạm biệt (tarm byeet), I’m vegetarian = tôi ăn chay (toy an chayh), How much? = bao nhiêu? (baow nyew), spicy/hot (cay), Oh My God (ôi..choy…oi…).
Pro Tips:
You can stay in a homestay which is in the Sa Dec flower village, this will help you have the best experience in Sa Dec, Dong Thap province. There are so many flower gardeners who are watering and gardening the Sadec flower farms in the early morning with the amazing Sa Dec sunrise.
If you plan to extend your travel to Sa Dec homestay, do not forget to bring mosquito repellent cream.
Visit Sa Dec or do any customized tours, please choose reputable providers with boat trips equipped with lifebuoys, jackets, motorcycle and cycling tours with the helmets and. Safety is a priority! Choose Sa Dec responsible tours which help you give back while traveling. It’s a cliché, but it’s true.
Sa Dec food & drink guide ranges from street food, authentic, fancy to fusion foods. As a tropical land of many fresh vegetables and homegrown gardens, which always make Sa Dec cuisines fresh, close to nature and very traditional. If you are a food lover, don’t hesitate to put other bites onto your food lists such as Hu Tieu Sa Dec (Sa Dec noodle soup), Sadec Crab Hotpot, Nem Lai Vung (Vietnamese fermented pork roll in Lai Vung), Sa Giang shrimp chips, Lai Vung tangerine fruit…
Bring your hat, sunglasses, and sunblock, scarf to wear when visiting temples, pagodas, and the cathedral.
Bring the raincoat if you’re planning a trip to Sa Dec in the rainy season, as Sa Dec always looks fantastic in the full rain and full sun.
Hopefully, the above tips will help you to come up with a great plan for your adventure in Sa Dec, Dong Thap province, Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Have a safe trip!
“Sleep less, travel more, respect more” – Thomas Vietnam – Local travel expert.
Planning a holiday to Ca Mau? Discover top reasons to go, best time to visit, tours and free itineraries, history and hidden gems with the official guide! Find out what to do, where to go, where to stay and what to eat in Ca Mau from the local travel experts who know it best. If you’re not able to visit just yet, plan ahead to make the most of your wish-lists.
Ca Mau Travel Guide & Tickets – The Official Visitor Information Center
Ca Mau Vietnam – Swamps, rivers, mangrove forests, houses on stilts and small canals, hidden villages, birding paradise and The South pole of Vietnam. The town of Ca Mau is situated far away from any travel itinerary in the Mekong Delta and in the south of the country, which is why international tourists are still very rare. So far, the city is visited by more Vietnamese travelers. Ca Mau is located 370 km from Ho Chi Minh City, 180 km south of Can Tho. It is the last province of the S-shaped strip of Vietnam, with a narrow width with 3 sides bordering the sea. The East borders the East Sea, the West and the South borders on the Gulf of Thailand. This is also the reason why Ca Mau is the province with the longest coastline with nearly 254 km.
Top Reasons to Go
Conquering the South Pole of Viet Nam
With a hobby of conquering the East, West, South, and North landmarks of the country, the Southernmost point of Ca Mau Cape (Dat Mui Ca Mau) is the last milestone you can conquer in your journey to discover the Southwest region of Vietnam.
Look like a former Mekong Delta
For mentioning Ca Mau, Vietnamese people know right away that this is a swampy land, popular for its water channels, vast green and the forests of U Minh forest. They have more idyllic landscapes than ever! A special attraction are the many original creeks that meander wildly through the countryside – there are mighty river arms, several hundred meters wide, that roam through the green province. The way the whole delta looked before the many canals were drawn. The coasts are fringed by extensive mangrove forests.
Birding in Mekong delta
There are many bird sanctuaries in Ca Mau where there are different kinds of birds and wild tropical species for the nature lover to visit and study.
Non-touristy
This city is not familiar to intl tourists yet.
Getting here and around
Nowadays Ca Mau is getting easier for everyone to get there and get around. It also means that traveling to the town won’t take much sweat, especially when you get here by public bus, car via the highway. We will break this down in detail, so check the information below to choose your best vehicle option.
Air travel: Currently, there is a direct flight from HCMC to Ca Mau. Travelers will take a flight to Ca Mau and arrive at Ca Mau Airport, around 10km away from the city center, taking 20 to 30 minutes to commute. One can hail a motorbike or a taxi at the terminal gate for VMD60,000/ride and VND150,000/ride, respectively. There are other airports nearby Ca Mau like: Rach Gia domestic airport, Tra Noc intl (Can Tho) airport and Phu Quoc intl airport.
Bus travel: From Ho Chi Minh city to Ca Mau. The best bus company for getting from Saigon to Ca Mau is the Futa Bus Lines company. You can catch a bus from the Western bus station (address: 395 Kinh Duong Vuong, An Lac Ward, Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh City) with the time to travel to Ca Mau is 8 hours (302km), to buy tickets or contact system of specialized vehicles running Saigon – Ca Mau route such as: Phuong Trang (futa bus lines), add in Saigon: 272 De Tham, District 1. Tel for booking ticket: 19006067. Once you’ve arrived at the Ca Mau Bus Station, take a taxi to your Ca Mau accommodation. Or, if taking the Futa bus line, take the complimentary transportation van which goes to certain areas in 10 km distance. For your return trip, you can pre-book your tickets or have your accommodation help reserve the tickets for you.
Bus travel: From Can Tho to Ca Mau. Take the public bus as Futa bus line. Super easy to have a ticket. These buses are great and new and AC and depart from Can Tho to Ca Mau, 143km about 4 hours. On the way, you can tell the driver to drop you off in Hau Giang, Soc Trang or Bac Lieu if you do not go straight to Ca Mau City.
Boat travel: Not a public boat yet.
Speed Boat travel: From HCMC to Ca Mau. Not yet
Speed Boat travel: From Can Tho to Ca Mau. Not yet
Cruises: Not yet.
Train travel: Not yet.
Bicycle and motorcycle travel: While it’s possible to rent a motorbike to explore the Ca Mau city, most visitors choose to utilize the free bicycles offered by most resorts and homestays. The roads are bumpy and occasionally muddy but the distances are relatively short. You’ll notice that many of the locals opt to travel by bike as well so you’ll be in good company. From HCMC you can find “Thanh Lam motorbike rental shop: Address at No.17C Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, contact: 0902 840 361” or “Style Motorbikes motorbike rental shop: Address at No.42/24 Tran Dinh Xu Street, Co Giang Ward, District 1, contact: 0915.139.796” and “Dragon Bikes motorbike rental shop: Address at No.182/5A De Tham Street, Cau Ong Lanh Ward, District 1, contact: 0909 283 280.
Ferry travel:
Best time to Visit Ca Mau
Ca Mau welcomes you in any season all year round, each of which will certainly offer you specifically different types of pleasure and satisfaction. However, the best time to visit Ca Mau is in the dry season, from November to April, because the landscape and ecosystem are quite distinctive.
Floating season (September – December): It is the best time to visit Ca Mau and the Mekong Delta region in general.
Rainy season (May – October): It is not a bad choice when traveling to Ca Mau during rainy seasons since the rains are short and will not affect your trip. May is also a great time for birding in Ca Mau bird sanctuaries, U Minh Ha National Park & Forest and many other places…
Dry season (January – April): If you plan to travel to Ca Mau in the dry season, the sun can rise to 37-38oC, dry weather, canals begin to dry up, dry fields. Ca Mau tourism at this point you will be participating in exciting activities such as bee eating, catching rats (clean ones from the fields), slap fishing…
Ca Mau Tourist Attractions
Ca Mau City Bird Garden
The City Bird Garden is situated inside the Cultural Park, also known as Lam Vien May 19th Park, in Ca Mau City. Only 2km away to the West of the center of the city, this garden is the place where many precious types of bird reside and gather every year. The Cultural Park covers a total area of 18.2 ha including amusement parks, monuments, botanical gardens, stilt houses, Ho Chi Minh pond, etc. Besides, there are also many typical tropical species raised in this park such as crocodile, monkey, snake, lizard, python, etc. However, the bird garden is the most popular spot of the whole park. This is actually a 2-ha forest where thousands of birds, storks, etc. gather every afternoon. Recently, there are also other types of bird such as teal, swan, etc. choosing to reside and procreate in this area. For the last couple of years, the garden has been newly expanded to an area of 6ha circled by fences. At the moment, as a separate ecological site, the City Bird Garden has a harmonious beauty made of natural ponds, forests, flower bushes and the most valuable birds in Southeast Asia… Read more info & pictures
Ca Mau Cape – The South Pole of Vietnam
This voyage to the end of the earth may not quite be a Jules Verne epic, but it’s a fun and satisfying way to pass a day, as you get to visit not only the southernmost point of Vietnam but also the end of mainland Southeast Asia. The Cape of Ca Mau belongs to Ngoc Hien District in Ca Mau Province. It is located only 118km away from the center of Ca Mau City. This is a unique spot of Vietnam Tourism not only because of its southernmost location, but also because of the fact that it is the only place in Vietnam where one can see the sun rising in the East and setting in the West. The cape was discovered at the end of the 17th century. You can take a photo of yourself standing beside a boat-shaped monument marking the latitude (8 degrees north) and longitude (104 degrees east) of this remote location, then gaze out over the endless ocean and the mountainous Khoai Island just off the coast. There’s even a lookout tower from where you can get good views over the mangrove forests, and a restaurant on stilts over the water – the hammocks are a nice touch… Read more info & pictures
Hon Khoai Island
Only 14.6 km away to the southwest of Nam Can Town, the Hon Khoai Island is located in Ngoc Hien District of Ca Mau Province. This is a stone island on which the hills and the forest still remain untouched with many specious types of wood, animal, and plants, as well as a mesmerizing artless wilderness. Three enjoyable hours on the 90CV cruise from RachGoc (the gate to the East Sea of Ngoc Hien District) will take you to the spectacular Hon Khoai Island, one of the most beautiful islands in the Southernmost region of the country. You should not confuse Hon Khoai Island with the Hon Khoai archipelago, which is a group of 5 spectacular islands. The Hon Khoai Island is the biggest and also the highest island surrounded by the other four. Setting foot on Hon Khoai Island enables all tourists to enjoy the poetically beautiful seashores that are full of white egg-shaped cobbles. Tourists can also challenge their bravery by climbing up the mountains or discovering the tropical jungle. However, no matter what they do, the rare and priceless scenery of primitive forest with more than 1000 types of plants and hundreds species of wild animals will surely leave them speechless from time to time. Nowadays, on the highest peak of Hon Khoai Island still stands a beautiful lighthouse built by the French at the end of the 19th century. This is the place where a revered teacher named Pham Ngoc Hien led a group of prisoners to success over the French leader of the island, which resulted in their ownership of the lighthouse. This is a wondrous exploit that always appears in the local tales today. From this lighthouse, visitors can use the telescopes to look closely at one of the 5 surrounding islands called Hon DoiMoi, which resembles a tortoise swimming in the middle of the ocean. However, the most special thing is that they can also use the telescopes to have a look at the Cape of Ca Mau, to once in their life know how beautiful the cape is from afar. Without coming to Hon Khoai, such an opportunity would be nearly impossible!… Read more info & pictures
Mui Ca Mau National Park
Mui Ca Mau National Park includes the The South Pole of Vietnam – The Cape of Ca Mau.
Ca Mau Cape National Park is the natural scenery full of mangrove forests featuring a plethora of birds, wild animals, and fishes gives Ca Mau a very distinctive beauty of a newly discovered land: mysterious and fresh at the same time. With a diverse system of wild plants and animals, the giant mangrove forests are surely the most noticeable feature of this land, as they are the intersection of the East Sea and the West Sea. As the area of the forest expands greatly on a yearly basis, the most precious types of plant also develop, benefiting the wild animals residing there. It is estimated that there are over 240 types of plants, 36 species of animal, 194 species of bird, and 260 species of fish, with many endangered species. From the Cape of Ca Mau, one can see the Hon Khoai Archipelago which is 20km away from the mainland. This is a huge cluster of beautiful islands such as Hon Tuong, Hon Sao, Hon Kho, Hon Lon, Hon Doi Moi, etc., among which the Hon Khoai Island is the biggest and highest with a width of 4km2 and a height of 318m. But don’t just stand still and look, come to this amazing island! This is where you can find the most important (and probably the most romantic) lighthouse in the Gulf of Thailand and the East Sea!… Read more info & pictures
U Minh Ha National Park
Ticket: Service price: visit 10k / time, rent a boat to travel 150k / person / hour
Address: Within the administrative boundaries of 4 communes in 2 districts of Tran Van Thoi and U Minh, Ca Mau province.
Added values: The outstanding feature is the Melaleuca forest ecosystem formed in flooded, alkaline conditions, on peat soil, which is a typical tree of the Mekong Delta. On May 26, 2009, U Minh Ha National Park was recognized by UNESCO as one of the three core zones of the Cape Ca Mau World Biosphere Reserve.
Located in U Minh forest with an area of 8,000 hectares, the forest is recognized as an old forest, a large biosphere reserve of the whole Mekong Delta region, so this is a common roof of countless rare plants and animals. With its unique wetland ecosystem and cajuput forest on peatland, U Minh Ha plays an important role in protecting and restoring the landscape, ecological environment and biodiversity values… Read more info & pictures
Ngoc Hien Bird Sanctuary
Ngoc Hien bird sanctuary covers 130 hectares and is known to be one of the largest natural bird sanctuaries in Vietnam. There is a Bay Hap river flowing through it, creating rich and lush vegetation all year round. It is home to many species of birds, including some that have been involved in the red book. Every evening, in the sunset, a flock of thousands of birds flocked back and forth, chirping an area like a concert… Read more info & pictures
Thi Tuong Lagoon
Thi Tuong Lagoon is comparable to an onshore ocean of the southwest, particularly as the sun peeps out, hurling its dark tanned rays on the surface and exposing silent, humble huts. On the borderless waters, visitors can easily spot fishermen releasing their fishing nets. Nets are tossed to trap the sun, then dipped underwater… Read more info & pictures
Ca Mau Floating Market
As an official guide. We are talking again. The Ca Mau floating market is gone. No more Ca Mau floating market.
Ca Mau Floating Market is home to many trading ships filled with agricultural products and people’s goods.
This is a market where locals meet every day and are most active between 2 and 3 am. Visitors here will have the opportunity to experience a trip around the floating market in the early morning… Read more info & pictures
Cao Dai Temple in Ca Mau
Worth a look for its ornate towers, Ca Mau’s Cao Dai Temple is evidence of how deeply rooted the religion is in the Mekong Delta; these temples are a distinctive feature of many delta towns and add a playful splash of colour with their Disneyesque decorations. This particular one isn’t great, to be honest – it scores high for concrete and low for atmosphere, and if you’ve made it as far as Ca Mau you’ll doubtless have seen better examples. However, a couple of parks opposite the temple offer shady areas to escape the bustle of town near the canal… Read more info & pictures
Nam Can Mangrove Forest
Nam Can mangrove forest is a primaeval forest hidden within itself so many mysteries in Cha La hamlet, Tam Giang commune, Nam Can district, Ca Mau province. To visit this biodiversity area, tourists have to take a boat trip through a road with thousands of mangroves on both sides. Leaving on a motorboat deep into the forest. Visitors will have the opportunity to access the primaeval forest core, almost unexplored. You can even see ancient trees the size of a human body, the roots spread to 5-6 people and many rare animals… Read more info & pictures
Quan Am Ancient Temple
Quan Am Temple, also known as Phat To Pagoda, is a large temple both in terms of scale and artistic architecture. The temple was built in 1840, bearing bold ancient architecture of the 19th century, harmoniously combining the modern and traditional features of Vietnamese temples and pagodas. The temple campus is arranged neatly, with a giant open-air statue of Quan The Am standing on a lotus, holding a vase, wearing a gentle facial expression looking at the main hall. This temple is a famous tourist destination in Ca Mau Vietnam that you must definitely visit, to worship and discover about the lives of the people here. Every year, on the full moon days of January and July, Quan Am Temple holds huge Nguyen Tieu and Vu Lan festivals, when people from all over the place come to admire and worship. Location: Hamlet 2, Ward 4… Read more info & pictures
Memorial Of President Ho Chi Minh
It is located at cluster 1, ward 1, Ca Mau city. This is not only a place where the people of Dat Mui show their respect to the country’s leader but also a place to educate revolutionary traditions for the young generation. Besides, it is also a popular tourist attraction to visit the southernmost land of the country. Uncle Ho memorial area includes many items. Such as the temple, house on stilts, movie theatre, gallery, stone statue exhibition, ornamental lake, greenery, internal road … artefacts, precious images and documents about Uncle Ho’s revolutionary career… Read more info & pictures
Ca Mau Tours and Free itineraries
As a local travel expert in Ca Mau, here is some options for your Ca Mau discovery:
Itinerary 1: The South Pole of Vietnam Tour and Bird Sanctuary from Ca Mau (full day)
Itinerary 2: Ca Mau Homestay Tour from Ca Mau (2 days 1 night in the mangrove forest homestay)
Itinerary 3: U Minh Ha forest Tour from Ca Mau (Full day)
Itinerary 4: Bac Lieu Soc Trang Tour from Ca Mau (Full day, drop off in Soc Trang for Con Dao island by speed boat)
Itinerary 5: Hau Giang Can Tho Tour From Ca Mau (Full day, drop off in Can Tho)
Itinerary 6: Ca Mau South Pole Tour from Bac Lieu 2 Day (2 days, 1 night in Ca Mau and End the tour in Ca Mau city)
Itinerary 7: Can Tho Hau Giang Soc Trang Bac Lieu Ca Mau (4 days 3 nights, Start from Can Tho, 1 night in Can Tho, 1 night in Ca Mau, 1 night in Bac Lieu and end the tour in Can Tho)
If you do not have much time left, it is easy to check out spots in one full day by boat or with bike or with motorbike and car. But there are much more than tourist sites like these in Ben Tre. Make sure you have more time to feel and explore more about the hidden gems and the culture, food, night life, wildlife and forest as well. Top tip: Stay in a homestay nearby, so you have more chances to visit it and surroundings. If you are looking for the package Ben Tre daily tour with local, you can contact www.vemekong.com or Hotline/WhatsApp/WeChat/Zalo +84939888559; email: hello@vemekong.com
Ca Mau Homestays and Hotels
Muong Thanh Luxury Ca Mau Hotel – One of the top luxury hotels in Ca Mau
Muong Thanh Luxury Ca Mau Hotel is one of Delta Mekong 5-star hotels strategically located in Ca Mau Administration & Political Center. With the architecture from the master to the interior designed in the style of European luxury, class combined classic, delicate, Muong Thanh Luxury Ca Mau promised to bring guests relaxation moments through the excellent service experience.
Address: Unit C3A – Ca Mau Administration & Political Center, Ward 9, Ca Mau City, Ca Mau Province, Vietnam.
Phone: (+84) 290 222 8888
Website: www.luxurycamau.muongthanh.com
Email: info@camau.muongthanh.vn
Reference price: US$ 43/night
Phu Cuong Hotel
Only about 3km from the airport, Phu Cuong Hotel has 91 rooms that are meticulously designed to every detail. Along with a variety of service facilities including a bar system, a restaurant, … the enthusiastic reception of the staff will help make the experience of your trip more complete.
– Address: No.81 Phan Ngoc Hien Street, Ward 4, Ca Mau City Vietnam
The International Hotel is located in the center of Economics, Politics, Culture of Ca Mau on Avenue Phan Ngoc Hien from the airport. The hotel offers a wide range of room services for guests at various rates to meet all kinds of needs so visitors do not have to fret about the price. In general, the hotel is designed with simple criteria but still thoughtful, convenient with airy space, clean and comfortable.
Address: 179 Phan Ngoc Hien, Ward 6, Ca Mau, Vietnam
Located in the heart of Ca Mau City Center, Anh Nguyet Hotel is an ideal spot from which to discover Ca Mau. From here, guests can enjoy easy access to all that the place has to offer. This modern hotel is in the vicinity of popular city attractions and popular attractions. The hotel’s recreational facilities, which include a garden, are designed for escape and relaxation. Nguyet Hotel is a smart choice for travelers to Ca Mau.
Address: 207 Phan Ngoc Hien, Ca Mau, Vietnam
Phone: (+84) 0780 356 7666
Website: anhnguyethotel.com/
Email: anhnguyethotel@yahoo.com
Reference price: US$ 36/night
Dong Anh Hotel – As warm and cozy as your home
Dong Anh Hotel, located in the heart of the city with the front facing the busiest center of Ca Mau city, Tran Hung Dao Street, will be an ideal stopover for all visitors for commercial purposes. With all the dedication and thoughtful service, this place is sure to bring the most relaxing moments and most pleasurable for visitors. Come, feel and let your emotions sublimate with Dong Anh Hotel.
Address: 25 Tran Hung Dao, Ward 5, Ca Mau, Vietnam
Phone: (+84) 0780 357 6666
Website: www.donganhhotel.com.vn
Email: donganh@donganhhotel.com.vn
Reference price: US$ 16/night
Song Hung Hotel
Having a scale of 30 extremely clean and beautiful rooms, Song Hung Hotel is full of amenities, with a full hot and cold system, free wifi and a terrace in each room. The hotel’s staff is extremely professional, always trying to serve all the needs of customers, which made this hotel rated as the best value for money in the area.
– Address: No.28 Phan Ngoc Hien Street, Ward 4, Ca Mau City
There are many local homestays in the mangrove forest as well.
Ca Mau Markets, Shopping and Souvenirs
Ca Mau Market
Running along 6A, 6B & Phan Boi Chau Streets in the city center, the market starts to sell goods from about 4pm to 10pm with bustling sellers and buyers. You can easily find items from high-end to affordable, from clothes and shoes to jewelry and souvenirs… Besides, you can also easily come across food and beverage outlets, serving fast food and refreshment needs, as well as various specialities of Ca Mau Province. At the end of the year, the number of tourists coming here to visit and shop increases greatly, making the scene here even more bustling.
Ca Mau Night Market
Ca Mau Food and Drink
Ca Mau Street Foods
Banh tam ga cay (Silkworm rice cake with curried chicken)
The silkworm rice cake with curried chicken here has two major parts, including “banh tam” (silkworm cake) and curried chicken. Besides, the cake is exactly the noodles which are quite similar to the silkworms so that’s how it’s called. Silkworm cake and curried chicken are served with bean sprouts and salad. When the dish is served, the silkworm cake is topped with steamy curried chicken and a bit of broth poured onto the rice noodles. Some veggies you can enjoy are salad and bean sprouts. Also, don’t forget to sprinkle some ground black pepper salt to add flavor to your food… Read more info & pictures
Grilled Vop clams with salt and pepper
The mangrove forest of this province has a unique and diverse ecosystem, in which there is a species of clam which is a rare specialty and can be processed into many delicious dishes, but the most delicious one is grilled Vop clams with salt, pepper, and lemon. The Vop clams are about 3 – 4 cm large, are washed, drained and then grilled on a charcoal grill, adding seasonings such as salt, pepper, lemon, and monosodium glutamate. Ca Mau people also often add a little onion fat, peanuts to enhance the taste, and vegetables including laksa leaves, herbs, and basil. When eating, you will feel the sweetness of the clam, the freshness of the vegetables, the sourness and saltiness blending in with the characteristic scent of charcoal… This delicious and unique dish offers the taste of the forest and the sea, attracting any visitor coming to Ca Mau Province… Read more info & pictures
Grilled snakehead fish
Grilled snakehead fish is a specialty that should not be missed, especially if it has to be grilled with straw, the fish meat will be fragrant and delicious. After the straw is burned, the fish is taken out and scraped off the burnt black scales on the outside to get a fresh and hot golden grilled meat, with a distinctive aroma that is hard to resist. According to our Ca Mau travel tip, grilled snakehead fish is wrapped in rice paper with some vermicelli, lettuce, herbs, … and must be dipped with thick tamarind fish sauce or fish sauce mixed with garlic, lemon, chili, sugar, etc. All these salty, sweet, sour, spicy and fleshy flavors of fish meat plus the pungent taste of a glass of alcohol are unmatched.
Grilled mudskipper fish
Grilled mudskippers with salt and pepper is a famous delicacy in the land of Ca Mau Cape. Despite its ugly appearance, the meat is very firm, sweet, fragrant and not fishy, and can be made into many delicious dishes that make diners praise nonstop. The fresh fishes are washed to clear the mud, marinated with a little salt and pepper, then placed on a charcoal grill over medium heat until the skin turns yellow and smells fragrant. Eating grilled mudskippers with salt and pepper is indispensable with the right dipping sauce to increase the delicious taste, served with vermicelli, rice paper and vegetables such as broccoli, salad, herbs, sour star fruit… Read more info & pictures
Stone crab roast with salt
Stone crabs can be made into a variety of attractive dishes, but the most attractive is still roasted salt crabs. When the roast is finished, the crab will turn red, the meat is white, soft, slightly tough but sweet and eaten. This is considered one of the valuable specialties in Ca Mau. If you go to Ca Mau and want to eat this dish, you can enjoy the stone crab in restaurants under Ganh Hao Bridge. Or else, the Old street restaurant in 239 Phan Ngoc Hien Street, Ward 9, Ca Mau City, Ca Mau is also the best choice. This dish have the price about US$ 7… Read more info & pictures
Young bee salad
Young bee salad is known as the best dish of Ca Mau. Pupae salad is not eaten as a fish salad, after harvest it will be roasted with spices. When eaten with herbs, green bananas, you will feel the smell and fat of the pupae. In addition, you can also eat a few other dishes that are also made from young bees such as roasted bee noodles, fried noodles with bee porridge…Young bee salad is often served at restaurants in the U Minh Ha forest area because honey bees in the U Minh Ha forest are fat and delicious… Read more info & pictures
Ba Khia – A traditional food in Ca Mau
Ba Khia is one more traditional food in Ca Mau. Not only the local people but also the visitors love this food very much. Ba Khia’s shape is almost the same as the crab but the texture and texture of the meat is very different, and is more delicious. These are often eaten by salt or boiled with lemongrass. If you want to eat Ba Khia, come to Rach Goc in July, August during the lunar year. One of the best seafood restaurants is Quat Mo Seafood Restaurant in No. 14 Bui Thi Truong Street, Ca Mau… Read more info & pictures
Ca Mau Crab
Ca Mau crabs are actually the most typical specialty for any visitor. The crabs are big, tough and fleshy and processed in a variety of dishes such as charcoal grilled crabs, beer steamed crabs, grilled crabs, roasted crabs with tamarind sauce, crab hotpot or crab rice soup… Crab prices range from VND 450,000-550,000 / kg.
Hai Yen Restaurant. Address: No.210 Tran Hung Dao Street, Ward 5. Price range: 30,000 – 100,000 VND / dish ($1.32 – 4.4). Opening hours: 3pm – 12am… Read more info & pictures
Ca Mau Hidden Gems
Watch the Sunrise and Sunset at Ca Mau Cape
If you stay in one of the local mangrove homestays, do not forget to take an amazing boat trip. Go through the mangrove paradise which is super chill in the early morning as well as the late afternoon. And the weather allows, you will enjoy the golden hours during your exploration. Fingers crossed beautiful nature.
Monivongsa Bopharam Pagoda
Monivongsa Bopharam pagoda is located in Ward 1, Ca Mau city centre. This is a Khmer temple with the typical architecture of Theravada Buddhism and is the largest temple in the city. Visiting the temple you will own the fantasy living pictures like in the land of golden pagodas or Cambodia… Read more info & pictures
Thien Lam Pagoda
In addition to its untouched wilderness, Ca Mau also boasts various remarkable places of worship. Thien Lam Pagoda, markedly inspired by Chinese religious architecture, is a popular and much visited religious landmark of the province. Its gable, walls and beams are covered by sophisticated dragon and leaf and floral decorative engravings… Read more info & pictures
U Minh Forest
Ca Mau City borders the U Minh forest, a huge mangrove forest covering 1000 sq km of Ca Mau and Kien Giang provinces. Local people use certain species of mangrove as a source of timber, charcoal, thatch and tannin. When the mangroves flower, bees feed on the blossoms, providing both honey and wax. The area is an important habitat for waterfowl. The U-Minh Forest, which is the largest mangrove forest in the world outside of the Amazon basin, was a favourite hideout for the VC during the American War. US patrol boats were frequently ambushed here and the VC regularly planted mines in the canals. Unfortunately the mangrove forests are being further damaged by clearing for shrimp-farming ponds, charcoal production and woodchipping. The government has turned to limit these activities, but the conflict between nature and humans continues… Read more info & pictures
Hon Da Bac Island
Hon Da Bac Island located 50 kilometers from Ca Mau city, in the area of Khanh Binh Tay commune, Tran Van Thoi district, Ca Mau province. This is the common name of a cluster of large, small rocks on an area of 6.43 hectares. This is a large island consisting of many small islands located close to each other such as Hon Ngo island, Da Ly island and Da Bac island. Here, you can experience the wonderful moments when fishing shrimp, squid or delicious seafood… Read more info & pictures
Dam Doi Bird Sanctuary
Dam Doi Bird Sanctuary belongs to Tan Dan Commune, Dam Doi District with a total area of 132ha. This is the habitat and breeding ground for many species of plants and animals, including 116 species of birds, especially storks. Dam Doi Bird Sanctuary in Ca Mau Vietnam possesses the scenery of a peaceful village with fields stretching to the distance, filled with mangrove trees stretching and covering the lake surface. Coming to Dam Doi Bird Sanctuary, you will have the opportunity to immerse in a fresh atmosphere, listen to the sounds of birds, and explore their daily life. This is also a great opportunity for you to film and take photos from different angles to get unique and precious pictures… Read more info & pictures
Khai Long Tourist Area
Khai Long is one of the very attractive coastal eco-tourism in Ca Mau. It has long sandy beaches, cool blue ocean rows, in the calming sea, four sides are mangrove ecosystems, creating a cool space suitable for relaxation and relaxation. From Khai Long beach, visitors can also see the whole cluster of beautiful Khoai islands… Read more info & pictures
Ca Mau History and Culture
Ca Mau History
After the Fall of Saigon, 30 April 1975, Bạc Liêu and Cà Mau provinces were merged into one big province which was called Minh Hai. In 1996, Minh Hai was split into two, with the northeast becoming Bạc Liêu Province and the southwest becoming Cà Mau Province.
Don Ca Tai Tu & Da Co Hoai Lang
The people of the Mekong Delta are known for their love of music. Don Ca Tai Tu, a Vietnamese style of folk opera originally from the Mekong Delta, is a mix of ballads and theatre accompanied by a musician playing a zither or, in modern renditions, a guitar. The amusing storylines are often set in Vietnam’s countryside and can be lighthearted, sorrowful, or both. Regardless of language barriers, it’s easy to enjoy Don Ca Tai Tu, thanks to expressive acting and melodious singing. Ca Mau gardens and homestays are some of the places that perform Don Ca Tai Tu music throughout the day and at dinner time.
Ca Mau Museum
Ca Mau Nightlife
Ca Mau Festivals, Sports and Outdoor Activities
Ca Mau Health and Safety
Dos and Don’ts for Your Trip to Ca Mau
Practical tips: Ways to save, Internet, Water, Learn a little Vietnamese and pro Tips
Ways to save:
Stay somewhere with free breakfast. Many budget hotels offer free breakfast to guests.
Eat street food. Food stalls are cheap and plentiful and are a great place to try regional specialities.
Travel by bicycle/motorbike. These two-wheeled bikes are among the cheapest ways to get around Can Tho and Mekong Delta region.
Stick to free attractions. If you’re really tight for cash, attractions such as markets cost nothing.
Ca Mau group tours. If you want to see and learn as much as possible with your limited time.
Internet:
Free Wi-Fi can be found everywhere from hotels to coffee shops. If you are from the EU you should be able to use your own data plan too. Or contact the hotel for the sim card.
Water:
Tap water is supposed to be safe but I advise against drinking it. It’s just not worth the risk. My advice is to use bottled water and save yourself from unexpected stomach problems.
Learn a little Vietnamese:
Sure, you can get by with just speaking English, but trying to speak the local language opens you up to much more polite & meaningful interactions with people. Even if you are not perfect or you make a mistake, your effort is appreciated. At a bare minimum: Hello = xin chao (sin chow), yes = dạ vâng, no = không (khom), thank you = cám ơn (kahm uhn), I’m sorry = tôi xin lỗi (toy sin loy), no problem/you’re welcome = không có gì (khong koh zi), goodbye = tạm biệt (tarm byeet), I’m vegetarian = tôi ăn chay (toy an chayh), How much? = bao nhiêu? (baow nyew), spicy/hot (cay), Oh My God (ôi..choy…oi…).
Pro Tips:
You can stay in a homestay which is near the riverside, this will help you out the best option. Then you can hire a scooter, car or bike and explore it by yourself. There are many local homestays in the mangrove forest near Ca Mau cape and near U Minh Ha forest. Both of these places are super green for staying and forget the world.
If you plan to extend your travel to Ca Mau homestay, do not forget to bring mosquito repellent cream.
Visit Ca Mau or do any customized tours, please choose reputable providers with boat trips equipped with lifebuoys, jackets, motorcycle and cycling tours with the helmets and. Safety is a priority! Choose Ca Mau responsible tours which help you give back while traveling. It’s a cliché, but it’s true.
Planning a holiday to Bac Lieu? Discover top reasons to go, best time to visit, tours and free itineraries, history and hidden gems with the official guide! Find out what to do, where to go, where to stay and what to eat in Bac Lieu from the local travel experts who know it best. If you’re not able to visit just yet, plan ahead to make the most of your wish-lists.
Bac Lieu Travel Guide & Tickets – The Official Visitor Information Center
Nestled along the southern coast of Vietnam’s Mekong Delta region is the Bac Lieu province. A rather large province, Bac Lieu doesn’t have as many tourists and it is often overlooked by travelers that are going to Can Tho or Vung Tau. Bac Lieu used to play an important role in exploitation and development of French colonialists so that the province has existed several western-style villas and palaces. Bac Lieu Province has 56km of coastline. Traveling to Bac Lieu apart from admiring the beautiful scenery of the idyllic and idyllic rural life, you can also visit attractive destinations. If you are someone who wants to travel and love to explore, then Bac Lieu is the ideal destination for you. Bac Lieu is about 280 kilometers to the southwestern part of Ho Chi City, 104 km kilometers from Can Tho and 67 kilometers from Ca Mau.
Top Reasons to Go
Bac Lieu Bird Sanctuary
The sanctuary is 6 km southwest of Bac Lieu. This bird sanctuary, a 385 hectare, is notable for its 50-odd species of birds, including a large population of white herons, storks, night herons and cormorants. There are currently some 40,000 birds and 5,000 nests in the sanctuary.
Bac Lieu Salt Farm
Bac Lieu Salt Farm is located in Hoa Binh and Dong Hai District, Bac Lieu. This is a leading province for sea salt farming in Vietnam. Salt farming is seasonal. Sea salt is normally farmed once a year, starting in December after the rainy season, and will last about 5 months until April the following year.
Buddha Temple Ba Nam Hai
Nam Hai Buddhist Temple, also known as Quan Am Phat Dai, is an extremely famous spiritual place not only in Bac Lieu but also in the Southwest in general.
Cong Tu Bac Lieu House
Tourists can either visit or stay at the Cong Tu Bac Lieu (Prince of Bac Lieu) House. The facility has been partly converted into a hotel that offers guests the chance to experience the life of the province’s prodigal sons. “Cong Tu Bac Lieu” was a term applied to children of rich landlords who enjoyed lavish lifestyles in Southern Vietnam during the colonial period.
Ghositaram Pagoda in Bac Lieu
In the list of famous Bac Lieu tourist attractions, Ghositaram Temple is definitely indispensable – the Khmer temple is known as the most beautiful in the West. Ghositaram Bac Lieu Pagoda is recognized as a miniature “art museum” for demonstrating the talents of ancient Khmer artists for their ancient beauty, delicate decorative lines, and color coating. deep and deep. The old house was built in 1860 in a prime location. Do not miss the opportunity to travel to Bac Lieu and visit this famous religious place.
Getting here and around
Nowadays Bac Lieu is getting easier for everyone to get there and get around. It also means that traveling to the town won’t take much sweat, especially when you get here by public bus, car via the highway. We will break this down in detail, so check the information below to choose your best vehicle option.
Air travel: Currently, there aren’t any direct flights to Bac Lieu. The nearest one is Ca Mau airport, Tra Noc intl (Can Tho) airport and Tan Son Nhat intl airport
Bus travel: From Ho Chi Minh city to Bac Lieu. The best bus company for getting from Saigon to Bac Lieu is the Futa Bus Lines company. You can catch a bus from the Western bus station (address: 395 Kinh Duong Vuong, An Lac Ward, Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh City) with the time to travel to Bac Lieu is 6 hours (271km), to buy tickets or contact system of specialized vehicles running Saigon – Bac Lieu route such as: Phuong Trang (futa bus lines), add in Saigon: 272 De Tham, District 1. Tel for booking ticket: 19006067. Once you’ve arrived at the Bac Lieu Bus Station, take a taxi to your Bac Lieu accommodation. Or, if taking the Futa bus line, take the complimentary transportation van which goes to certain areas in 10 km distance. For your return trip, you can pre-book your tickets or have your accommodation help reserve the tickets for you.
Bus travel: From Can Tho to Bac Lieu. Take the public bus as Futa bus line. Super easy to have a ticket. These buses are great and new and AC and depart from Can Tho to Ca Mau. On the way, you just tell the driver to drop you off in Bac Lieu. The bus ticket is about 150,000 VND.
Boat travel: Not a public boat yet.
Speed Boat travel: From HCMC to Bac Lieu. Not yet
Speed Boat travel: From Can Tho to Bac Lieu. Not yet
Cruises: Not yet.
Train travel: Not yet.
Bicycle and motorcycle travel: While it’s possible to rent a motorbike to explore the Bac Lieu city, most visitors choose to utilize the free bicycles offered by most resorts and homestays. The roads are bumpy and occasionally muddy but the distances are relatively short. You’ll notice that many of the locals opt to travel by bike as well so you’ll be in good company. From HCMC you can find “Thanh Lam motorbike rental shop: Address at No.17C Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, contact: 0902 840 361” or “Style Motorbikes motorbike rental shop: Address at No.42/24 Tran Dinh Xu Street, Co Giang Ward, District 1, contact: 0915.139.796” and “Dragon Bikes motorbike rental shop: Address at No.182/5A De Tham Street, Cau Ong Lanh Ward, District 1, contact: 0909 283 280. TOP TIP: Bac Lieu motorcycles rental: To make it easier to move in Bac Lieu, as well as to take the initiative, you should hire yourself motorbikes to explore freely. With a rent of only 50,000-80,000 VND / day, you can refer to the phone number: (0781): 3828494 or 0949 069 333, 0982 0981 99. It is amazing to take a motorbike tour to Bac Lieu salt farm in the late afternoon or early morning.
Ferry travel:
Best time to Visit Bac Lieu
Bac Lieu welcomes you in any season all year round, each of which will certainly offer you specifically different types of pleasure and satisfaction. However, the best time to visit Bac Lieu is from September to March. The weather is cool and pretty comfortable, so you can join any activity that you like. Additionally, From June to August is the fruit season. Therefore, you will have the chance to admire the colorful orchards as well as enjoy delicious fruit in these months.
Floating season (September – December): It is the best time to visit Bac Lieu and the Mekong Delta region in general.
Rainy season (May – October): It is not a bad choice when traveling to Bac Lieu during rainy seasons since the rains are short and will not affect your trip. you should come here during the annual festival of October of the Khmer – this is the time to perform. Ok Om Bok is the biggest festival. May is also a great time for birding at Bac Lieu bird sanctuary.
Dry season (January – April): It is hot and dry during this time, however, it is harvesting time here and you can enjoy fruit picking activities with the locals.
Bac Lieu Tourist Attractions
Ghositaram Pagoda in Bac Lieu
In the list of famous Bac Lieu tourist attractions, Ghositaram Temple is definitely indispensable – the Khmer temple is known as the most beautiful in the West. Ghositaram Temple is also known as Cu Lao Pagoda, associated with the location is a 4-hectare site in Cu Lao hamlet, Hung Hoi commune, Vinh Loi district, Bac Lieu province. Located just 5km from the city center, the road to the temple is quite easy and convenient. You can see the address in advance and see the road map if traveling by motorbike. If traveling by taxi or passenger car, it will be much easier because the road is quite easy to find. Ghositaram Bac Lieu Pagoda is recognized as a miniature “art museum” for demonstrating the talents of ancient Khmer artists for their ancient beauty, delicate decorative lines, and color coating. deep and deep. The old house was built in 1860 in a prime location. From a distance, you will see the pagoda lying in the middle of the plain with garden fields, green trees. Right in front of the pagoda gate is a row of soaring jaggery, a familiar image commonly seen in the western provinces, especially in An Giang, Bac Lieu and Tra Vinh. The closer you get, the more you will realize the main colors of the Ghositaram temple are red, pink, and yellow. They are all prominent colors but harmoniously combined with each other and especially suitable for the typical style of Khmer pointed tower architecture, honoring the magnificent beauty of the ancient temple. All of this makes this place look like an ancient castle from the fairytale world that is both mysterious and poetic. Do not miss the opportunity to travel to Bac Lieu and visit this famous religious place… Read more info & pictures
Bac Lieu Wind Farm
A new check-in point that many young people love: The Bac Lieu Wind Fan Field. This site is located in the area of 500 ha of coastal land in Vinh Trach Dong Commune, Bac Lieu City. This is an extremely wonderful place with the scenery of the wind blades spinning on the clear blue sky, as beautiful as the West. Construction started in 2010, the field now has 62 towers and wind turbines are all located on the sea. You can admire the romantic sunset between the wind farm fields. Anyone who has the opportunity to set foot in Bac Lieu also wants to once come here and take super cool photos… Read more info & pictures
Xiem Can Pagoda Bac Lieu
In the list of famous tourist destinations in Bac Lieu, it is impossible not to mention the Siamese (Xiem Can) Pagoda. Xiem Can pagoda is on the way from Bac Lieu city center to Bac Lieu wind farm. This pagoda is an extremely important spiritual, cultural and artistic place of the Khmer people in Bac Lieu. Siam Can Temple follows Hinayana Buddhism, worshiping Thich Ca Buddha. This pagoda has a lifespan of more than a century and brings magnificent beauty with exquisite details in architecture. Surrounded by a fence wall with serpents and many eye-catching carved patterns. Siamese Pagoda has become a famous tourist attraction, check-in for tourists when having the opportunity to set foot in the West, visit Bac Lieu land… Read more info & pictures
Cong Tu Bac Lieu House
Tourists can either visit or stay at the Cong Tu Bac Lieu (Prince of Bac Lieu) House. The facility has been partly converted into a hotel that offers guests the chance to experience the life of the province’s prodigal sons. “Cong Tu Bac Lieu” was a term applied to children of rich landlords who enjoyed lavish lifestyles in Southern Vietnam during the colonial period. The home was built by landlord Tran Trinh Trach in 1919 and designed by a French architect. The two-story estate features long halls, spacious bedrooms and winding staircases. In 2003 Bac Lieu Tourism Company upgraded the structure into a hotel and cultural-tourist site. Vo Kim Cuong, director of the hotel, says they’re often full and Room 101 (once home to a famous playboy) must be reserved 7-10 days in advance. Room rates range from VND600,000-2 million (US$28-95)… Read more info & pictures
Bac Lieu Bird Sanctuary
The sanctuary is 6 km southwest of Bac Lieu. This bird sanctuary, a 385 hectare, is notable for its 50-odd species of birds, including a large population of white herons, storks, night herons and cormorants. There are currently some 40,000 birds and 5,000 nests in the sanctuary, which serves as a breeding ground for many birds between May and October– and the birds nest until about January. In addition to a diverse range of wading birds, the sanctuary boasts a rich ecosystem of fish, amphibians and reptiles. The best time to visit Bac Lieu Bird Sanctuary is at dawn or dusk, when thousands of birds take to the skies.The visit includes an electric-golf-buggy ride around the perimeter of the sanctuary, and guides stop at viewing towers and observation posts along the way. Bring your own binoculars… Read more info & pictures
Bac Lieu Salt Farm
Bac Lieu Salt Farm is located in Hoa Binh and Dong Hai District, Bac Lieu. This is a leading province for sea salt farming in Vietnam. Salt farming is seasonal. Sea salt is normally farmed once a year, starting in December after the rainy season, and will last about 5 months until April the following year. It can be said that the pioneers in the exploitation of coastal mangrove wasteland to produce kitchen salt are the Chinese, with the technique of drying seawater in the “adjacent – second – adjacent banana -” levels of crystallized salt grains from ocean sea water. Until now, people here continue to transmit and develop the production method is both traditional and very scientific. During the French colonial period and the US domination of our country, Bac Lieu salt was collected in the hands of many famous salt business owners, occupying along the left bank and right bank of Bac Lieu river, until now. also presenting French architectural houses, including the famous big villas of the prince of Bac Lieu, was also one of the salt business owners in Bac Lieu at that time. For those who love and want to experience the sunny, windy and coastal areas, this Hoa Binh – Dong Hai area will probably be an interesting place. Coming here, not only can you immerse yourself in the bustling atmosphere, you can also join the salt farmers in the salt season. The feeling of sharing the “hardship” with the people in the midst of the scorching sun on the journey to Bac Lieu brings a cozy, salty feeling like the salty taste of salt grains made from people. naive, honest here… Read more info & pictures
Buddha Temple Ba Nam Hai
Nam Hai Buddhist Temple, also known as Quan Am Phat Dai, is an extremely famous spiritual place not only in Bac Lieu but also in the Southwest in general. The pagoda is located on De Bien Street, Nha Mat Ward, Bac Lieu City, about 8km from the city center. Wat Nam Hai Buddha has a statue of Bodhisattva Quan The Am 11m high standing majestically in the middle of an open space and looking towards the East Sea. Every year, the pagoda will hold the Nam Hai Quan Am festival on March 22, 23 and 24 of the lunar calendar. This is also considered one of the six typical festivals of Bac Lieu province. Opening hours: From 7am – 7pm… Read more info & pictures
Ancient longan orchards
Located on an area of 230ha, running 1km long in the territory of Hiep Thanh and Vinh Trach Dong communes of Bac Lieu province. This ancient longan garden is said to be over 200 years old. It is known that this area used to be sand dune land, due to the process of accretion by nature and people making dykes to fill the sea. Su-Bic and Tu-huyt are two special longan varieties grown here, very popular for their thick and sweet rice. Visiting the old longan garden, visitors will be surprised to see the longan stump resembling an old tree stump and the shady garden. Along the road to longan orchards hawkers sell local fruit and scores of restaurants prepare Bac Lieu’s special banh xeo (Vietnamese pancake)… Read more info & pictures
Vinh Hung Ancient Temple
Located in Vinh Loi District’s Vinh Hung Commune, some 20 kilometers from Bac Lieu Town, this ancient temple was built centuries ago on 1,000 square meters of forest. According to a Sanskrit stele at a nearby pagoda, the temple was built in 892. The remaining structure stands more than eight meters high. Archeologists say the bricks are bound by an unknown adhesive and have found pottery and copper items belonging to the Oc Eo Culture (1st-7th centuries). During an excavation in 2002, they unearthed tiles at the site featuring special patterns alongside copper figurines that have yet to be identified… Read more info & pictures
Can Van Lau Theater (Conical Hat Non La Theater)
The first impression on visitors when coming to the Cao Van Lau theater is the image of three giant conical hats on the roof above the building. This is a very beautiful image associated with the traditional culture of the Vietnamese nation. At the same time it also shows the meaning of the connection of 3 ethnic groups: Kinh, Khmer and Hoa in Bac Lieu. Or it is also the attachment of the 3 North, Central and South; The space around the theater is very fresh and airy with artificial lake sceneries planted with flowers in eye-catching colors. The entrance to the theater is also designed to separate and twist to help visitors have a longer time to visit and admire. With its unique and impressive architecture, this place has become a place to check in and take pictures for many young people and tourists when traveling to Bac Lieu… Read more info & pictures
Tac Say Church
As one of the hottest check-in locations in Bac Lieu, Tac Say Church is associated with touching stories about the life of Father Truong Buu Diep – who has great merit to Catholics in this area. This is also considered one of the most beautiful churches in the western provinces. Coming to the church, in addition to visiting the grave of Father Diep, visitors can also admire the impressive architecture of this place. The whole church consists of 3 main floors, the outside is painted with white walls combined with curved red roof tiles. The highlight of this place is probably the wall with red windows with a large clock above. Address: Hamlet 2, National Highway 1A, Tan Long Commune, Gia Rai District, Bac Lieu Province. Opening hours: From 7am – 5:30 pm… Read more info & pictures
Cao Van Lau Musician Memorial Site
If you’ve ever heard the song “Da Co Hoai Lang” and have a love for traditional art, surely you are no stranger to the late composer Cao Van Lau. During a visit to the Bac Lieu, Visitors have the opportunity to stop on the historic land of Bac Lieu to visit his memorial as well as listen to stories about the birth of the 99-year-old piece. Musician Memorial Park Cao Van Lau is considered the heart of Hung Vuong Square. This is not only the final resting place of the late musician but also a place to store many artifacts of the national art. In 2008, it was renovated and extended over 2,800 meters, so that all works are featured in an airy space, with easy sightseeing… Read more info & pictures
Bac Lieu Tours and Free itineraries
As a local travel expert in Bac Lieu, here is some options for your Bac Lieu discovery:
Itinerary 1: Bac Lieu City Tour from Bac Lieu city center (full day)
Itinerary 2: Soc Trang Bac Lieu Tour from Can Tho 1 Day (full day, drop off in Soc Trang for Con Dao island by speed boat)
Itinerary 3: Bac Lieu Tour from Can Tho 1 Day (full day, drop off in Ca Mau for Phu Quoc island by speed boat)
Itinerary 4: Bac Lieu Ca Mau South Pole Tour from Bac Lieu (full day, drop off in Ca Mau or back to Bac Lieu)
Itinerary 5: Ca Mau South Pole Tour from Bac Lieu 2 Day (2 days, 1 night in Ca Mau and End the tour in Ca Mau city)
Itinerary 6: Can Tho Hau Giang Soc Trang Bac Lieu Ca Mau (4 days 3 nights, Start from Can Tho, 1 night in Can Tho, 1 night in Ca Mau, 1 night in Bac Lieu and end the tour in Can Tho)
If you do not have much time left, it is easy to check out spots in one full day by boat or with bike or with motorbike and car. But there are much more than tourist sites like these in Ben Tre. Make sure you have more time to feel and explore more about the hidden gems and the culture, food, night life, wildlife and forest as well. Top tip: Stay in a homestay nearby, so you have more chances to visit it and surroundings. If you are looking for the package Ben Tre daily tour with local, you can contact www.vemekong.com or Hotline/WhatsApp/WeChat/Zalo +84939888559; email: hello@vemekong.com
Bac Lieu Homestays and Hotels
– Hoang Giang Hotel, 47 Tran Huynh, City. Bac Lieu
– Royal Hotel, No. 8 Phan Dinh Phung, Ward 3, City. Bac Lieu
– Saigon Bac Lieu Hotel, 02-04-06 Hoang Van Thu, Ward 3, City. Bac Lieu
– Le Minh Hotel, No. 94, 23/8 Street, Tra Kha Hamlet, Ward 8, City. Bac Lieu
– Tran Vinh Hotel, 85-87 Hai Ba Trung, Ward 3, City. Bac Lieu
– Yen Nhi Guest House, Ward 7, City. Bac Lieu
– Union guest house, Ward 7, Bac Lieu city
– Binh An Guest House, 42 Le Duan, Ward 3, City. Bac Lieu
– Tan Hong Guest House 619 Tran Phu, Ward 7, City. Bac Lieu
Added values: Bac Lieu Market is not only famous for its beauty, but also for the variety of products, especially the friendly personality of the people here. Please visit Bac Lieu when you have the opportunity to experience unique things that only Bac Lieu market has.
Nearby attractions and hidden gems: Looking for places to stop on your way to and from Bac Lieu Market? Ghositaram pagoda (4 km), Cong Tu Bac Lieu House (5 minutes), Bac Lieu Bird Sanctuary (6 km), Bac Lieu Salt Farm (48 km), Tac Say Church (38 km), Dia Mau Cung – Ba pagoda (13 minutes)… Read more info & pictures
Added values: Formed about 20 years ago during the half-opening period, Bac Lieu night market is a cultural feature that reflects almost the entire culinary culture of a land.
Nearby attractions and hidden gems: Looking for places to stop on your way to and from Bac Lieu Night Market? Ghositaram pagoda (4 km), Cong Tu Bac Lieu House (5 minutes), Bac Lieu Bird Sanctuary (6 km), Bac Lieu Salt Farm (48 km), Tac Say Church (38 km), Dia Mau Cung – Ba pagoda (13 minutes)… Read more info & pictures
Bac Lieu Food and Drink
Bac Lieu Street Foods.
Bun bo cay (Spicy beef noodle soup) Address: Bun bo cay Nguyet Anh – 119 Cao Van Lau Street, Bac Lieu Town. The bowl of “bun bo cay” needs fried lemongrass and beef but won’t need shrimp sauce just like Hue beef noodle soup. Since it’s spicy, you must be a chili lover to enjoy this food. With a smoky dish and the thick broth, you won’t resist it any longer but try it immediately. The food is served with lemon, chili salt, and basil… Read more info & pictures
Three-striped crab (Freshwater crab in Bac Lieu) Ba khac is a type of seacream living in brackish water alluvial ground, under the canopy of mangroves, fish sauce. This is one of the famous specialties in the West. Traveling to Bac Lieu, visitors should not miss this dish. Ba khia is often used to create many attractive dishes such as salt, ba khia, three khat salad, mixed three knots. In which, ba khia sauce is the most favorite dish of customers… Read more info & pictures
Banh cu cai (White radish pies). Address: You can find a lot of stalls selling radish pies along Hoang Van Thu street, Hoang Dieu Street, or 23/8 Street. Coming to Bac Lieu, there’s no way that you can miss stopping by at some street stalls to try out this unique radish pie. It looks elegant and stuffing at the same time. The crust is made of flour and the ground white radish flour. Looking inside it, it’s a mixture of shrimp marinated with some local ingredients… Read more info & pictures
Banh tam bi Bac Lieu (Bac Lieu thick noodles & creamy coconut milk). Address: Ngan Dua market: 34 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Hong Dan, Bac Lieu or at Bac Lieu night market: Ngo Gia Tu Street, Ward 3, Bac Lieu. There’s a Vietnamese dish that makes you cannot stop slurping, and that’s “banh tam bi Bac Lieu”. The food is an elegant combination of the thick noodle, coconut milk, fish sauce and lettuce. Feel free to reduce the fat taste by reducing the amount of creamy coconut milk. And don’t miss adding some slices of chili to the sauce if you want it to be spicier. Herbs can’t be lacking here, especially the leaves of lettuce, basil, and slices of cucumber… Read more info & pictures
Pho Ngheu Thanh Huong
(43 Tran Quynh; mains 25,000-47,000d) When you are likely to be able to buy similar pho (noodle soups) and banh mi (filled baguettes) from a street stall, this fine eatery serves a fairy-lit rooftop from which guests can watch the traffic zoom by.
Bon Bon Pickles
It is a popular dish of Bac Lieu people. Pickles are sour and crispy so they should be used to dip with soy sauce, fish sauce, shrimp sauce, and mixed salad shrimp … Bon bon pickles are also processed for other dishes such as fried meat, cooked sour soup with fish,…The price per kilogram of pickles is VND 40,000 – 50,000… Read more info & pictures
Bac Lieu Hidden Gems
Nha Mat amusement park
Nha Mat amusement park has become a familiar place for tourists in recent years. It is located right on the coast of Bac Lieu, with many bathing areas for adults and children. With the wave system, visitors will feel like they are immersed in the real blue sea. In addition, this place also has many other projects such as: green campus, multi-purpose stage, high-class resort, food court, many attractive games… Read more info & pictures
Bac Lieu Beach and mangrove forests
Bac Lieu’s 56-kilometer coastline is home to numerous mangrove forests and vast beaches.
Although the seawater is far from clean due to silt collected in the surrounding river estuaries, tourists can walk and play on large beaches during low tide or swim in an “artificial sea” at the Nha Mat Resort, some eight kilometers from the provincial capital. Bac Lieu has more than 5,500 hectares of forest land, a majority of which is mangrove forests. Tourists can row boats through the trees and fish in them. Not far from Nha Mat Resort is the Avalokiteshvara Buddha Temple. Built in 1973, the temple has attracted thousands of tourists and pilgrims every year. Locals hold a ceremony every March to pray for good luck, especially for local fishermen… Read more info & pictures
Phuoc Duc Ancient Temple
Previously the temple was made of simple leaves, to worship the gods. All the architecture of the temple has historical value and is over 100 years old. Phuoc Duc ancient temple has been recognized as a national historical relic. Visitors can come to the temple to learn more about spiritual cultures when traveling to Bac Lieu… Read more info & pictures
Dia Mau Cung (Ba Pagoda)
With fishermen in each part of the country, they all have cultural and spiritual beliefs. individual. Bac Lieu is also home to many spiritual sites in the West. When traveling to Bac Lieu, you should look for temples to understand more of the culture here. Dia Mau Cung is a place to worship her with many mysterious spiritual stories. The architecture of the pagoda is very unique with extremely sophisticated sculptures… Read more info & pictures
Address: Located in the administrative center of the province, in Ward 1, City. Bac Lieu, Bac Lieu province right in front of Nguyen Tat Thanh – Hung Vuong – Tran Huynh streets
Added values: Hung Vuong Square has become a venue for meetings and major events of the province, as well as a place of entertainment for city people and tourists. This is one of the most beautiful squares in the Mekong Delta region and is considered one of the typical tourist attractions of Bac Lieu… Read more info & pictures
Bac Lieu History and Culture
Bac Lieu History
After the Fall of Saigon, 30 April 1975, Bạc Liêu and Cà Mau provinces were merged into one big province which was called Minh Hai. Although it is located in Vietnam, many years ago this land was a part of the Khmer Empire which ruled most of Indochina many centuries ago. It is still home to many ethnic Khmer people. In 1996, Minh Hai was split into two, with the northeast becoming Bạc Liêu Province and the southwest becoming Cà Mau Province.
Don Ca Tai Tu & Da Co Hoai Lang
The people of the Mekong Delta are known for their love of music. Don Ca Tai Tu, a Vietnamese style of folk opera originally from the Mekong Delta, is a mix of ballads and theatre accompanied by a musician playing a zither or, in modern renditions, a guitar. The amusing storylines are often set in Vietnam’s countryside and can be lighthearted, sorrowful, or both. Regardless of language barriers, it’s easy to enjoy Don Ca Tai Tu, thanks to expressive acting and melodious singing. Bac Lieu gardens and homestays are some of the places that perform Don Ca Tai Tu music throughout the day and at dinner time.
Bac Lieu Museum
Bac Lieu Nightlife
Bac Lieu Festivals, Sports and Outdoor Activities
Bac Lieu Health and Safety
Dos and Don’ts for Your Trip to Bac Lieu
Practical tips: Ways to save, Internet, Water, Learn a little Vietnamese and pro Tips
Ways to save:
Stay somewhere with free breakfast. Many budget hotels offer free breakfast to guests.
Eat street food. Food stalls are cheap and plentiful and are a great place to try regional specialities.
Travel by bicycle/motorbike. These two-wheeled bikes are among the cheapest ways to get around Can Tho and Mekong Delta region.
Stick to free attractions. If you’re really tight for cash, attractions such as markets cost nothing.
Bac Lieu group tours. If you want to see and learn as much as possible with your limited time.
Internet:
Free Wi-Fi can be found everywhere from hotels to coffee shops. If you are from the EU you should be able to use your own data plan too. Or contact the hotel for the sim card.
Water:
Tap water is supposed to be safe but I advise against drinking it. It’s just not worth the risk. My advice is to use bottled water and save yourself from unexpected stomach problems.
Learn a little Vietnamese:
Sure, you can get by with just speaking English, but trying to speak the local language opens you up to much more polite & meaningful interactions with people. Even if you are not perfect or you make a mistake, your effort is appreciated. At a bare minimum: Hello = xin chao (sin chow), yes = dạ vâng, no = không (khom), thank you = cám ơn (kahm uhn), I’m sorry = tôi xin lỗi (toy sin loy), no problem/you’re welcome = không có gì (khong koh zi), goodbye = tạm biệt (tarm byeet), I’m vegetarian = tôi ăn chay (toy an chayh), How much? = bao nhiêu? (baow nyew), spicy/hot (cay), Oh My God (ôi..choy…oi…).
Pro Tips:
You can stay in a homestay which is near the riverside, this will help you out the best option. Then you can hire a scooter, car or bike and explore it by yourself and I hope you have an amazing Mekong Delta river sunrise.
If you plan to extend your travel to Bac Lieu homestay, do not forget to bring mosquito repellent cream.
Visit Bac Lieu or do any customized tours, please choose reputable providers with boat trips equipped with lifebuoys, jackets, motorcycle and cycling tours with the helmets and. Safety is a priority! Choose Bac Lieu responsible tours which help you give back while traveling. It’s a cliché, but it’s true.
Bac Lieu food & drink guide ranges from street food, authentic, fancy to fusion foods. As a tropical land of many fresh vegetables and homegrown gardens, which always make Bac Lieu cuisines fresh, close to nature and very traditional. If you are a food lover, don’t hesitate to put other bites onto your food lists such as Bun bo cay (Spicy beef noodle soup), Three-striped crab (Freshwater crab in Bac Lieu), Banh cu cai (White radish pies), Banh tam bi Bac Lieu (Bac Lieu thick noodles & creamy coconut milk), Pho Ngheu, Bon Bon Pickles
Bring your hat, sunglasses, and sunblock, scarf to wear when visiting temples, pagodas, and the cathedral.
Bring the raincoat if you’re planning a trip to Bac Lieu in the rainy season, as Bac Lieu always looks fantastic in the full rain and full sun.
Planning a holiday to Hau Giang? Discover top reasons to go, best time to visit, tours and free itineraries, history and hidden gems with the official guide! Find out what to do, where to go, where to stay and what to eat in Hau Giang from the local travel experts who know it best. If you’re not able to visit just yet, plan ahead to make the most of your wish-lists.
Hau Giang Travel Guide & Tickets – The Official Visitor Information Center
If you want to stray off the tourist track and enjoy ordinary life in the Mekong Delta then Hau Giang can be good for your exploration. Hau Giang intrigues travellers with its unrivalled natural views of rolling rice fields, winding canals, nature and forest, peaceful pace of life and hospitable locals, making it one of the most unmissable destinations in Southern Vietnam. Hau Giang Province is located in the heart of the Mekong Delta, bordered to the north by Can Tho City (40 km away), to the south by Soc Trang Province (53 km away) and to the west by Kien Giang Province (83 km). The capital of Hau Giang Province is Vi Thanh Town, 208km south-west of Ho Chi Minh City.
Top Reasons to Go
Land of Canals
In the Mekong’s lower branches, Hau Giang Province is better known by its nickname, the “Land of Canals”. Hau Giang is located on a complicated network of rivers, springs, and canals such as: Hau, Cai Tu rivers, Quan Lo, Phung Hiep, Xa No, Xang Nang Mau canals. Boasting a flooded landscape and scenic countryside, the network of rivers and canals provides travelers with a unique habitat of grasslands, forests, and swamps to uncover. Bringing a sense of calm to the busy Mekong River Delta, Hau Giang (Hậu Giang) Province is an idyllic destination for both local and international travelers.
A Mekong Delta Now and Then
Hau Giang is also proud of the Historical Site of the Provincial Party Committee’s Base and Long My Historical Site. Long My preserve many interesting things about the glorious history in resistance war. There are also facilities for entertainment and recreation. In Long My, tourists enjoy seeing numerous storks of various types and 30 typical species of birds in the stork sanctuary.
Hau Giang Forest, Nature & Bird Sanctuary
Hau Giang Vietnam is another province in the Mekong Delta. Lung Ngoc Hoang forest & nature’s smile, in Hau Giang, is not only known as the “green lung” of the Mekong Delta But also one of the most unique biodiversity conservation areas of Vietnam. Nowadays, Lung Ngoc Hoang Nature Reserve, 2.805,37 ha, is located in Phuong Binh Commune, Phung Hiep District, Hau Giang province. This reserve also contributes to maintaining the ecological balance and increases coverage, ensures environmental security and sustainable development of the Mekong region. Additionally, Lung Ngoc Hoang wetland & flooded forest is an ideal destination for nature lovers. Exploring and weaving in the untouched wetland of Mekong delta by boat gives the best experience about wildlife and nature.
Getting here and around
Nowadays Hau Giang is getting easier for everyone to get there and get around. It also means that traveling to the town won’t take much sweat, especially when you get here by public bus, car via the highway. We will break this down in detail, so check the information below to choose your best vehicle option.
Air travel: Currently, there aren’t any direct flights to Hau Giang. The nearest one is Tan Son Nhat intl airport, Tra Noc intl (Can Tho) airport, Ca Mau airport.
Bus travel: From Ho Chi Minh city to Hau Giang. The best bus company for getting from Saigon to Hau Giang (Vi Thanh town) is the Futa Bus Lines company. You can catch a bus from the Western bus station (address: 395 Kinh Duong Vuong, An Lac Ward, Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh City) with the time to travel to Hau Giang is 5 hours, to buy tickets or contact system of specialized vehicles running Saigon – Hau Giang route such as: Phuong Trang (futa bus lines), add in Saigon: 272 De Tham, District 1. Tel for booking ticket: 19006067. Once you’ve arrived at the Vi Thanh Hau Giang Bus Station, take a taxi to your Hau Giang accommodation. Or, if taking the Futa bus line, take the complimentary transportation van which goes to certain areas in 10 km distance. For your return trip, you can pre-book your tickets or have your accommodation help reserve the tickets for you.
Bus travel: From Can Tho to Hau Giang. Take the public bus as Futa bus line. Super easy to have a ticket. These buses are great and new and AC and depart from Can Tho to Soc Trang. On the way, you just tell the driver to drop you off in Hau Giang. The bus ticket is about 120,000 VND.
Boat travel: Not a public boat yet.
Speed Boat travel: From HCMC to Hau Giang. Not yet
Speed Boat travel: From Can Tho to Hau Giang. Not yet
Cruises: Not yet.
Train travel: Not yet.
Bicycle and motorcycle travel: While it’s possible to rent a motorbike to explore the Hau Giang city, most visitors choose to utilize the free bicycles offered by most resorts and homestays. The roads are bumpy and occasionally muddy but the distances are relatively short. You’ll notice that many of the locals opt to travel by bike as well so you’ll be in good company. From HCMC you can find “Thanh Lam motorbike rental shop: Address at No.17C Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, contact: 0902 840 361” or “Style Motorbikes motorbike rental shop: Address at No.42/24 Tran Dinh Xu Street, Co Giang Ward, District 1, contact: 0915.139.796” and “Dragon Bikes motorbike rental shop: Address at No.182/5A De Tham Street, Cau Ong Lanh Ward, District 1, contact: 0909 283 280.
Ferry travel:
Best time to Visit Hau Giang
Hau Giang welcomes you in any season all year round, each of which will certainly offer you specifically different types of pleasure and satisfaction. However, the best time to visit Hau Giang is from September to March. The weather is cool and pretty comfortable, so you can join any activity that you like. Additionally, From June to August is the fruit season. Therefore, you will have the chance to admire the colorful orchards as well as enjoy delicious fruit in these months.
Floating season (September – December): It is the best time to visit Hau Giang and the Mekong Delta region in general. You can go fishing in our traditional wooden boats, discover pristine nature and spend time in some orchards and amazing outdoor farmer’s markets.
Rainy season (May – October): It is not a bad choice when traveling to Hau Giang during rainy seasons since the rains are short and will not affect your trip.
Dry season (January – April): It is hot and dry during this time, however, it is harvesting time here and you can enjoy fruit picking activities with the locals. Even visiting the Cau Duc pineapple feild during Tet holiday in January of the lunar month.
Hau Giang Vietnam is another province in the Mekong Delta. Lung Ngoc Hoang forest & nature’s smile, in Hau Giang, is not only known as the “green lung” of the Mekong Delta But also one of the most unique biodiversity conservation areas of Vietnam. Nowadays, Lung Ngoc Hoang Nature Reserve, 2.805,37 ha, is located in Phuong Binh Commune, Phung Hiep District, Hau Giang province. This reserve also contributes to maintaining the ecological balance and increases coverage, ensures environmental security and sustainable development of the Mekong region. Additionally, Lung Ngoc Hoang wetland & flooded forest is an ideal destination for nature lovers. Exploring and weaving in the untouched wetland of Mekong delta by boat gives the best experience about wildlife and nature…Read more info & pictures
Kittyd & Minnied Amusement Park
Officially inaugurated in 2018, Kittyd & Minnied amusement park in Hau Giang became an amazing tourist attraction for all visitors. It somehow makes you feel like you are in a fantastic and mysterious world of a little “Disneyland Mekong Delta”. It is located on Highway 1A, Tan Phu Thanh, Chau Thanh A, Hau Giang (10 km from Can Tho city center). Apart from Vo Truong Toan University campus, Kittyd & Minnied Theme Park has 20 hectares and is designed according to a modern amusement park model, providing modern entertainment services and bringing new experiences for travelers. When the visitors can come and enjoy games, performances of parades, dancing, singing, musicals, and incarnated as characters in foreign fairy tales such as Princess Snow White, Cinderella, Aladin, Beauty and Monsters…According to the experience of Hau Giang tourism of many tourists, the package ticket price and the entrance fee of Kittyd & Minnied Park in the period from 8:00 to 16:30 fluctuate as follows: For guests with a height of 1.4m or more, the package fare is 125,000 – 250,000 VND, the price will be 40,000 – 80,000 VND if you only want to enter the gate and then choose to add the form of sightseeing. then buy more later. Kittyd & Minnied Park will be a great place to check-in some “Europe photos” styles… Read more info & pictures
Truc Lam Zen Monastery Hau Giang
Truc Lam Hau Giang Zen Monastery is a large-scale religious architectural complex that plays an important role in the religious activities of the people in the province in particular and tourists in the West in general. Truc Lam Zen Monastery in Hau Giang province, along with many other large Zen monasteries across the country, is a place to practice Zen Buddhism in Truc Lam Yen Tu. This is a Zen lineage opened and developed by King Tran Nhan Tong – the third king of the Tran Dynasty. Legend has it that after leading the country against the Yuan Mongols and building a peaceful and prosperous country, the King ceded the throne to his son and went to Yen Tu mountain to become a monk. After a long period of practice and enlightenment, from the previous three Zen lines, he merged and founded the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen school. This is also a famous pilgrimage and religious tourist destination of the West River. The Truc Lam Zen Monastery Hau Giang was inaugurated in 2018 with a total construction period of 3 years on an area of more than 4 hectares. The main hall area is paved with red bricks. Wooden columns are placed on gray stone panels decorated with rattan patterns, carved with stylized lotus flowers. The space of the Zen Monastery is very spacious and airy, clean with a variety of ornamental plants that are carefully decorated and trimmed. Many rows of stone benches are arranged reasonably so that Buddhists and tourists have a place to rest and enjoy the scenery… Read more info & pictures
Vi Thanh Outdoor Farmers Market
One of the best highlights to see and do in Hau Giang is the authentic Hau Giang outdoor farmer’s market in the early morning. This 700 m2 market is just about the traditional and cultural life in the Mekong Delta now and then. It is only 50km away from Can Tho city. The local name of the market is “Chợ Chồm Hổm” which located inside Vi Thanh market in Hau Giang province. This market is easy to reach by car and scooters. The busiest time to see the market is from early morning to 7:30 a.m. The market will be closing around 9 a.m to 10 a.m. Top tip: You should come to the market soon and have a cup of coffee to feel the insights of the Vietnamese’s culture market… Read more info & pictures
Bo Tum Vong Say Khmer Pagoda
One of the most beautiful Khmer pagodas in Vietnam is Bo Tum Vong Say Khmer Pagoda located in Hau Giang province of Mekong Delta. Bo Tum Vong Say Khmer Pagoda located in Hau Giang province of Mekong Delta. This pagoda is not only famous for being mysterious and colorful at night but also for its unique architecture. It is said that Bo Tum Vong Say Khmer Pagoda was built in 1937 following Khmer traditional architectural practice and has been repaired many times. In 2020, the new and magnificent main hall was upgraded to the joy of thousands of Buddhists. It is sometimes also called Cai Tai Khmer pagoada, because its location is near Cai Tac fork junction
Ticket: Free
Spend-time: Half an hour (approx)
Hours: All day till 9pm
Address: It is located in Cai Tac, Chau Thanh, Hau Giang, Mekong Delta, Vietnam
Site beauties: There are many charming Khmer people selling their own farm products in this area. And perhaps, the most special thing in this pagoda is the night time and the nearby market…Read more info & pictures
Nga Bay – Phung Hiep floating market
As an official guide. We are talking again. The Nga Bay floating market is gone. No more Nga Bay – Phung Hiep floating market.
Nga Bay Floating Market is one of the busiest and most famous floating markets in the Mekong Delta. Hidden deep in the floating market is a deep layer of indigenous culture not only of Hau Giang but also the soul of the whole Mekong River region. The soul of the river is the floating market because it stores the footsteps of the ancestors. Connecting the past with the present, habits, customs, and spirituality. And is the creation of the economic culture of the forefathers of more than a century in the new land…Read more info & pictures
Vi Hung Church
The outstanding church is located next to the peaceful and romantic Xa No canal. Built in a spacious and airy campus with impressive architectural interference. Most are designed in the style of a classical Roman church, but the curved and prominent roof has the look of Vietnamese temples. Every weekend or Christmas, not only Catholics attend the ceremony but this tourist destination in Hau Giang also welcomes visitors to visit quite a lot. Address: Area 2, Ward 4, Vi Thanh City, Hau Giang…Read more info & pictures
Hau Giang Tours and Free itineraries
As a local travel expert in Hau Giang, here is some options for your Hau Giang discovery:
Itinerary 1: Hau Giang City Tour & Lung Ngoc Hoang Forest from Hau Giang (Full day)
Itinerary 2: Can Tho Floating Market and Wildlife Tour from Hau Giang (full day)
Itinerary 3: Soc Trang Bac Lieu Tour from Hau Giang 1 Day (full day)
Itinerary 4: From Hau Giang, Can Tho floating market tour and Drop off In HCMC (full day)
Itinerary 5: Ca Mau South Pole Tour From Hau Giang (2 day 1 night in Ca Mau forest homestay).
Itinerary 6: Ca Mau South Pole Tour From Hau Giang 1 Day (Full day, start at 5 AM with 10 hours drive).
Itinerary 7: Hau Giang to Ca Mau South Pole Tour 1 day (Full day, drop off in Ca Mau for the next day to Phu Quoc by speed boat).
If you do not have much time left, it is easy to check out spots in one full day by boat or with bike or with motorbike and car. But there are much more than tourist sites like these in Hau Giang. Make sure you have more time to feel and explore more about the hidden gems and the culture, food, night life, wildlife and forest as well. Top tip: Stay in a homestay nearby, so you have more chances to visit it and surroundings. If you are looking for the package Hau Giang daily tour with local, you can contact www.vemekong.com or Hotline/WhatsApp/WeChat/Zalo +84939888559; email: hello@vemekong.com
Hau Giang Homestays and Hotels
The Homeland Homestay
The Homeland Homestay is Homestay Hau Giang providing comfortable accommodations with the ultimate design of bamboo walled houses, thatched roofs. Visitors to the homestay will be transformed into genuine Western farmers, blended with nature and experience many practical activities. The homestay has a large garden and many tropical fruits. You can visit the garden or pick the fruit yourself and enjoy it here. There are strangely peaceful things contained in this homestay address, that is the sincerity and hospitality of the homeowner and the attendants, which is the rustic taste of western rustic dishes. When coming to the Homeland Homestay, maybe you find yourself suitable in such a rural place rather than the bustle of the lavish city. Above all else, the homestay wants you to have comfortable moments to stop and rest after the rush that life forces you to try to chase. Address: Hamlet 2, Vinh Trung Commune, Vi Thuy District, Hau Giang Province. Reference price: 500,000 – 1,500,000 VND/night
Kim Lan Homestay
Kim Lan Homestay is designed as an eco-tourist resort with many attractive activities for tourists. You not only have the opportunity to relax in a comfortable, nature-friendly room, but also have many memorable experiences here. Kim Lan Homestay Hau Giang has a fruit garden where visitors can pick fruit and visit here. You can cook by yourself or have a picnic. Only about 2km from the city center, 40km from Can Tho airport, Kim Lan Homestay is quite convenient for moving but it will take quite a while if you come here for the first time. Ask the people often to avoid getting lost, the people here are very likable and ready to show you right away. Address: 196 Vi Binh hamlet, Vi Thuy district, Hau Giang province. Phone: 093 104 4688; Reference price: 500,000 – 1,200,000 VND/night
Xa No Night Hotel Vi Thanh City
Xa No Night Hotel is located in the center of Ward 1, Vi Thanh City, Hau Giang, Vietnam. The hotel features a restaurant, bar and free WiFi access and public parking. Each room at the hotel is air conditioned and features a flat-screen cable TV, wardrobe and minibar. The private bathroom comes with shower facilities, toiletries, slippers and a hairdryer. Room service is also provided. Xa No Night Hotel also supports tour booking and can arrange sightseeing for guests. Staff at the 24-hour front desk will assist with luggage storage, laundry and fax / photocopying services. Vi Thanh City is a great choice for travelers interested in friendly locals, street food and culture. Address: No. 5 – 7 Hai Thuong Lan Ong, Area 1, Ward 1, Vi Thanh City, Hau Giang. Hotline: 093 944 33 47; Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/DemXaNo/
Bong Sen Hotel
Bong Sen Hotel has a total of 51 bedrooms that are elegantly and elegantly decorated, from standard rooms to Vip rooms. The bedrooms are fully equipped with modern equipment, some rooms suitable for the whole family to help guests have a fully private space. Bong Sen Hotel provides the necessary amenities for customers when staying here such as: luxury bathtub, convenience, free Wi-Fi internet, IDD phone, 21 inch LCD TV, appliances Tea and coffee making, luxury bed, mini Bar, free drinks: 02 bottles of mineral water, fire alarm and automatic fire alarm. Address: 60 Tran Hung Dao, Area 4, Ward 5, Vi Thanh City, Hau Giang
Located in a prime location, this place is easy to find and convenient for you to move to nearby attractions. Here you can book parties or organize events. Phuc Lam Hotel also owns a diversified room system, luxurious and high-class design. Each room has free wifi, flat-screen TV and a variety of free personal belongings. Some rooms at the motel also have a balcony, guests can take advantage of the time to relax here. If you are wondering what to choose for a rest destination in Hau Giang, you can immediately contact the hotel’s hotline to book in advance. This is also one of the 3-star quality accommodation spaces. Address: No. 1 Nguyen Quoc Thanh, Long My town, Hau Giang province; Phone: 0293 3510 888; Reference price: 150,000 – 900,000 VND / night
Van Quang Hotel
Van Quang Hotel is one of the best hotels in Hau Giang that you can stop for your travel or business trip. The hotel has just been upgraded, so everything is very new and clean. Each room is fully equipped with necessary equipment for customers when staying here such as bathroom, wifi, television, other personal belongings. Located at 58 Nguyen Cong Tru, Vi Thanh City, from the hotel you can easily move to major venues and dining areas. Room rates only range from 250,000 VND / night. 24/24 service staff, will answer all questions of customers when needed. Good security, customers can rest assured to stay here. Address: 58 Nguyen Cong Tru, Ward 1, Vi Thanh City, Hau Giang; Hotline: 02933580212
Hau Giang Markets, Shopping and Souvenirs
Hau Giang Market
Hau Giang Night Market
Hau Giang Food and Drink
Like Coffee Shop in Hau Giang
The coffee shop on Le Hong Phong street, Nga Bay city, is decorated with more than 700 film cameras, hanging on the wall of the shop. Photography lovers can visit Like coffee & tea Coffee Shop to admire the collection of film cameras through the periods. The shop has spacious and airy space, featuring the main gray and black tones. On the ground floor, film cameras are displayed everywhere, from the bar counter to the shelves, even hanging on the walls. The shop owner, Mr. Nguyen Hoang Nam, 34 years old, who has collected more than 700 film cameras in 10 years, shared: “My passion for cameras started when I was a child, I saw the photographers holding the camera very interested. When I grow up, I have money, I accumulate to buy each one. I opened the shop a year ago, at that time there were 500 pieces, now I have bought about 200 more.” Mr. Nam added that film cameras have deep image colors, not too colorful like modern cameras today, the color of the image has its own and classic quality, so he loves it. In addition, each camera also keeps memories and stories of the owner attached to them. Mr. Nam’s collection includes branded film cameras such as Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Mamiya, Minolta, Ricoh, Yashica… Most cameras are several decades old, the highest in more than 10 years old. 80 years and some are still in good use. The cafe is open from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, with parking, a diverse menu with coffees, smoothies, yogurt, milk tea, soda… priced from 17,000 to 38,000 VND/cup, without Air-conditioner, only the first floor has many trees, the shop is crowded in the morning and afternoon from 3 pm onwards.
An Coffee Shop in Hau Giang
An Coffee shop is always crowded with nostalgic spaces with ancient objects. Coffee An on Trung Nhi Street, Ward 1, Vi Thanh City of Mr. and Mrs. Dang Thi Nghe is a familiar meeting place for many tourists who love ancient space coffee. The patrons informally call the shop owner Mr. and Mrs. Tu. The shop is about 50 m2 wide, located in the house built in 1985 by the owner. The shop has deep tones, open space, and no air conditioning. The space displays antiques collected from many places such as dial-up phones, black and white TVs, typewriters, storm lights … and many antiques from the 50s-60s. In it, old family items such as bookshelves, amplifiers, cassettes are also decorated. Mrs. Nghi said that she and her husband both like antiques, but in the past, they did not have the conditions to collect like others. When the children are older and have common interests, the whole family comes up with the idea of designing a family cafe to look after and create joy for grandparents in old age.
Hau Giang Street Foods
Offering traditional Vietnamese food and Mekong favorites like fresh fish and fruit, some of the best restaurants in Vi Thanh can be found around the local market. More formal places to eat with dine-in options include Tiger Food, Quan Oc Say, Hu Tieu Nam Vang, Quan Doi Chung, and the Oc Trang.
Thac Lac Cuom Fish
Traveling to Hau Giang without eating Thac Lac Cuom fish is considered as not going. Served in most restaurants here. And people have long considered this dish to be a unique specialty in Hau Giang. The most popular dish from this fish is the fried lettuce. The sweet and spicy sweet taste makes the king never fade… Read more info & pictures
Vermicelli Chicken Salad
The food at first glance is very simple like a fish sauce dish. But the taste inside them is not simple at all. Vermicelli chicken salad cooked with tamarind, giving sweet and sour taste to eat forever without getting bored. When enjoying this dish, you must eat it with shrimp, water spinach, banana flower, the new flavor is perfect. This is the soul of Hau Giang cuisine.
Ngat Fish
Its delicious dishes, especially in Hau Giang, are very cunning. They only live in deep water where there are up to 2-3m. So catching them is very difficult. But contrary to the difficulty of catching, the taste of Ngat fish is very delicious. Fresh fish is processed into a lot of dishes. But the most delicious and attractive is still the Ngat fish on the banana peel, grilled on a charcoal stove. With this method, the fish retains its natural sweetness.
Hau Giang Hidden Gems
Phung Hiep Bamboo and Rattan Craft Village
The traditional handicraft villages are considered as the factors that have greatly contributed to increased income and reduced poverty in rural areas. In Mekong Delta, Vietnam, there are more than 200 traditional handicrafts villages that make various handicrafts, absorbing about 200,000 laborers. Phung Hiep bamboo and rattan craft village is one of them. It is located in Nga Bay, Phung Hiep, Hau Giang. Established in the 1950s, the village is famous for its beautiful and handmade bamboo and rattan products. It is also one of the hidden gems for tourists to see in Hau Giang. From many years ago, handicraft villages evolved as families used free time between harvests to create products for their daily needs and give the chance to earn money for a number of households, labors in the flood seasons by making the fishing nets and other fishing catching tools like bamboo fish traps and bamboo baskets. The bamboo and rattan craft has brought people here a more stable and prosperous life. The village has been creating regular jobs for local bamboo and rattan production households. Baskets have been the main products of Phung Hiep craft village for generations. Everyone in the village, young or old, man or woman, weaves rattan and bamboo. It has been in their blood for generations… Read more info & pictures
Xa No Canal & Xa No Park in Hau Giang
Conveniently located in the inner city of Vi Thanh, along the 15-kilometre banks of Xa No Canal, Xa No Park boasts a very special charm. It is not only covered with lush green trees, for instance, Java red areca, Filipino coconut and red willow, but it is also home to several white stone structures, making it the perfect blend of nature and architecture. When night falls, the park dazzles in bright lights which only enhance its beauty. Take a stroll around the paved streets in the evening and get an authentic taste of Hau Giang Province… Read more info & pictures
Tu Sang Bamboo Garden Hau Giang
Situated in Thanh Hoa Commune, Phung Hiep District, Hau Giang Province, the bamboo-lined walkway is a popular destination amongst travellers. Created by Mr. Dang Van Sang, an 83-year-old local farmer and spanning 500m through a verdant bamboo garden, the path embodies a rustic countryside charm. As you stroll through this lush bamboo forest, its striking tranquillity and soothing atmosphere will certainly win over your heart. This is the place where many types of bamboo are grown for more than 30 years in an area of more than 10,000 m2. Not only bamboo, there are also many kinds of green trees around and an arrangement of miniatures to recreate the Western countryside. This Hau Giang tourist destination is also extremely suitable for those who like to return to nature, live a rustic life, eat with relatives or friends, camp, picnic together… Read more info & pictures
Cau Duc Pineapple Fields
Aside from famous tourist attractions, Hau Giang Province intrigues many backpackers with the emerging Cau Duc pineapple fields, ideal for new adventures and unique Instagrammable pictures. Located between Tan Tien and Hoa Tien Communes, about 16km from Vi Thanh City and 80km from Can Tho Airport, Cau Duc pineapple fields is one of the largest pineapple fields in Hau Giang Province. If pineapples are your favourite fruit, then this site is definitely a must to add to your Hau Giang travel itinerary… Read more info & pictures
Tam Vu ecotourism area
The Tam Vu eco-tourism area, located in Chau Thanh A District, lies about an hour’s drive north of Vi Thanh Town. The big wall with carved images was built (January, 1991) in memorizing the national historical battles regarding the anti-French war in the past. Tam Vu is both a green scenic area and historical site. Not only will visitors get to enjoy a diverse ecosystem with many rare animals, but also learn about the bravery of locals during Vietnam’s war against the French colonists, as well as local culture and customs. Local leisure services include fishing from a wooden boat, trekking, and visiting the monkey island… Read more info & pictures
Cultural & historic district Long My
The site is located about 28 km from Vi Thanh Town. During the wars against the French and American invaders, the district was chosen as a base for the liberation army of Hau Giang Province, as well as the southwestern region. Within Long My District, there are many sites commemorating its rich history, including a small museum with photos and relics from the war, Uncle Ho (President Ho Chi Minh) Temple in Luong Tam Commune, built in 1969, and a 28 m tall sculpture depicting former Vietnamese soldiers. Alongside learning about history, visitors can also explore the stork garden, located in Xa Phien Commune. It is home to thousands of storks, as well as 30 other local bird species.
Vi Thuy cajuput forest
Located about 9 km from Vi Thanh Town, capital of Hau Giang, Vi Thuy cajuput forest in Vi Thuy District is the largest eco-tourism area in Hau Giang. Besides its tranquil and mesmerizing scenery, Vi Thuy forest represents the unique Mekong Delta wetland ecosystem, making it the great home to many freshwater species, as well as birds. The fertile soil here is great for growing fruit trees. Similar to Lung Ngoc Hoang, visitors can explore Vi Thuy by boat or trekking. Don’t forget to visit Kinh – Hoa (Chinese) – Khmer Cultural Museum located within the area… Read more info & pictures
Long My Stork Garden
Outside of the Xa Phien Commune in Long My District, Stork Garden is a famous attraction. Boasting a luscious garden that’s home t0 thousands of storks as well as 30 other bird species. Used for mating, nesting, and feeding for several months of the year, bird watchers will love this flooded landscape.
Ba Bai base
Ba Bai base, the base area of the Can Tho Provincial Party Committee, Hau Giang’s famous revolutionary base in particular and the West in general, where the history of the army and people was marked during the war years of liberation of the South to unify the country. Coming to this tourist destination, visitors can also learn some pictures and artefacts of Can Tho people in the period 1972 – 1975. The base of Can Tho Provincial Party Committee and many pictures of the war at that time. Mr Tran Van Thu in charge of the relic said that every year this historic site attracts more than 80,000 visitors. To serve for more development of tourism, the base area will be newly invested and embellish more items such as telegraph, clerical, reconstructing some such as cannon shelter, secret tunnel, secret bunkers … and construction add some items to visitors… Read more info & pictures
Address: Thanh Thang hamlet, Hoa Tien commune, Vi Thanh city.
Added values: From the alkaline soil, the care of gardeners has turned this place into an ideal destination to rest and relax after stressful working hours. An interesting trip like returning to childhood, while enjoying typical country cuisine will bring you many good memories.
The unique feature of this pineapple variety is that the fruit has an elegant shape, short stalk, small core, protruding eyes, slightly deep eye pits, dark yellow flesh, little fiber, little water, crispy and sweet. In particular, Cau Duc pineapple can be left for 10-15 days without rot. Cau Duc pineapple tree is over 1 meter tall, with an average weight of 1.5-2kg/fruit.
According to local farmers, pineapples appeared on Vi Thanh land around 1930, Hoa Tien people saw a good variety and started to propagate and plant the banks of Cai Lon river. Since then, the pineapple tree has taken root and has stood firm to this day… Read more info & pictures
Chuong Thien Cultural & historic site
Ticket:Free
Spend-time: One hour (approx)
Hours: Mon – Fri (working time), Sat & Sun only open the yard.
Added values: In addition, when traveling to Hau Giang, visitors can immerse themselves in nature, breathe in the fresh air of the countryside, enjoy fresh fruits picked in the garden, and listen to birdsong in Lung Ngoc Hoang forest.
During the wars against the French and American invaders, the district was chosen as a base for the liberation army of Hau Giang Province, as well as the southwestern region. Within Long My, Vi Thanh, there are many sites commemorating its rich history, including a museum with photos and relics from the war, tall sculpture depicting former Vietnamese soldiers in the park… Read more info & pictures
Hau Giang History and Culture
Hau Giang History
Prior to Hau Giang Province, the area was part of Can Tho (Cần Thơ) City and Chuong Thien (Chương Thiện) Province. At the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, the province was named Can Tho while the capital was named Can Tho City. In 2004, the government changed Can Tho City to become a municipality along with Thanh Pho (Thành Phố). The new division split Can Tho City, with the remainder becoming Hau Giang Province. Before the creation of the province, the area was heavily developed by the French beginning in the 19th century. Exploiting the local landscape for the brackish water, the French began building canals. Described as being “the civilization of canals”, by Vietnamese writer, Son Nam, the canals act as a “strategic punch” for the province helping the province’s local economy expand. Depending heavily on agriculture since the 19th century, rice is a major crop throughout, however, growing fruit and harvesting freshwater fish is also common. Products that can be found in Hau Giang include the Nam Roi pomelo, tangerines, mangos, pineapples, and snakehead fish. Besides developing an extensive history in agriculture, the province has been an important stronghold for ethnic culture too. Ethnic groups that live in the area include the Vietnamese and minorities, Hoa, Cham (Chăm), and Khmer.
Don Ca Tai Tu
The people of the Mekong Delta are known for their love of music. Don Ca Tai Tu, a Vietnamese style of folk opera originally from the Mekong Delta, is a mix of ballads and theatre accompanied by a musician playing a zither or, in modern renditions, a guitar. The amusing storylines are often set in Vietnam’s countryside and can be lighthearted, sorrowful, or both. Regardless of language barriers, it’s easy to enjoy Don Ca Tai Tu, thanks to expressive acting and melodious singing. Ben Tre gardens and homestays, Thoi Son Islet, are some of the places that perform Don Ca Tai Tu music throughout the day and at dinner time.
Hau Giang Museum
Hau Giang Nightlife
Hau Giang Festivals, Sports and Outdoor Activities
Hau Giang Health and Safety
Dos and Don’ts for Your Trip to Hau Giang
Practical tips: Ways to save, Internet, Water, Learn a little Vietnamese and pro Tips
Ways to save:
Stay somewhere with free breakfast. Many budget hotels offer free breakfast to guests.
Eat street food. Food stalls are cheap and plentiful and are a great place to try regional specialities.
Travel by bicycle/motorbike. These two-wheeled bikes are among the cheapest ways to get around Can Tho and Mekong Delta region.
Stick to free attractions. If you’re really tight for cash, attractions such as markets cost nothing.
Hau Giang group tours. If you want to see and learn as much as possible with your limited time.
Internet:
Free Wi-Fi can be found everywhere from hotels to coffee shops. If you are from the EU you should be able to use your own data plan too. Or contact the hotel for the sim card.
Water:
Tap water is supposed to be safe but I advise against drinking it. It’s just not worth the risk. My advice is to use bottled water and save yourself from unexpected stomach problems.
Learn a little Vietnamese:
Sure, you can get by with just speaking English, but trying to speak the local language opens you up to much more polite & meaningful interactions with people. Even if you are not perfect or you make a mistake, your effort is appreciated. At a bare minimum: Hello = xin chao (sin chow), yes = dạ vâng, no = không (khom), thank you = cám ơn (kahm uhn), I’m sorry = tôi xin lỗi (toy sin loy), no problem/you’re welcome = không có gì (khong koh zi), goodbye = tạm biệt (tarm byeet), I’m vegetarian = tôi ăn chay (toy an chayh), How much? = bao nhiêu? (baow nyew), spicy/hot (cay), Oh My God (ôi..choy…oi…).
Pro Tips:
You can stay in a homestay which is near the riverside, this will help you out the best option. Then you can hire a scooter, car or bike and explore it by yourself and I hope you have an amazing Mekong Delta river sunrise.
If you plan to extend your travel to Hau Giang homestay, do not forget to bring mosquito repellent cream.
Visit Hau Giang or do any customized tours, please choose reputable providers with boat trips equipped with lifebuoys, jackets, motorcycle and cycling tours with the helmets and. Safety is a priority! Choose Hau Giang responsible tours which help you give back while traveling. It’s a cliché, but it’s true.
Hopefully, the above tips will help you to come up with a great plan for your adventure in Hau Giang province, Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Have a safe trip!
“Sleep less, travel more, respect more” – Thomas Vietnam – Local travel expert.
Planning a holiday to Chau Doc? Discover top reasons to go, best time to visit, tours and free itineraries, history and hidden gems with the official guide! Find out what to do, where to go, where to stay and what to eat in Chau Doc from the local travel experts who know it best. If you’re not able to visit just yet, plan ahead to make the most of your wish-lists.
Chau Doc Travel Guide & Tickets – The Official Visitor Information Center
Chau Doc, a transit point to Cambodia, is located in the northwest part of the Mekong Delta, about 250 km west of Ho Chi Minh City and about 120 km from Can Tho City. All tourists who want to visit Vietnam’s Mekong Delta and continue the trip to Phnom Penh without coming back to Saigon are highly recommended to stay at least one night in Chau Doc. Since the opening of the borders in 2000 there has been a real boom. Many visitors who travel from Vietnam to Cambodia pass through the nice city. From here, there are daily speedboats from/to Chau Doc to/from Phnompenh Cambodia (approx. 5h). Chau Doc also has Tinh Bien international border (on the mainland, easy for intl tourists to cross) gate to Cambodia as well. Such proximity to Cambodia has nurtured an eclectic mix of Cham, Khmer, Chinese and Vietnamese cultures and historical richness. The local minority groups add colour and variety to the area, this is most apparent in the traditional fabrics and clothes being worn as well as the local architecture. For traveling to Chau Doc, consider the highlights of the National Cultural Relic of The Lady Temple, Vinh Te Canal, Tay An Pagoda, Sam Mountain, Tra Su forest and the floating villages. Chau Doc is just perfect for a spiritual trip, ecotourism and photography tours.
Top Reasons to Go
Chau Doc is a transit point to Cambodia
Chau Doc borders Cambodia directly and therefore also shares a few border crossings that are popular for many travelers who want to visit both countries. Most travelers come from or go to Phnom Penh, which is a little bit more than 100 km from Chau Doc. This route can be done by bus as well as by daily speed boat. Vinh Xuong border crossing (Tan Chau District); Tinh Bien border crossing (Tinh Bien district); Khanh Binh border crossing (An Phu district); Vinh Hoi Dong border crossing (An Phu district). Top Tip: Keep in mind that when you travel from Cambodia to Chau Doc, you must already have a Vietnam visa. You cannot arrange this visa at land border crossings in Vietnam.
Mountain, Forest and Minority
With an area of about 280ha and moderate height of 241m, Sam mountain is a very popular tourist destination that anyone visiting Chau Doc has to visit. Tra Su forest is worth a visit because it is a surprisingly beautiful landscape around 25 kilometers from Chau Doc. Whether you are the person who is interested in watching the bird or just looking for a quiet time in a stunning natural setting. There are a handful of nature reserves and bird sanctuaries. Tra Su is home to a rich array of bird and other wildlife that lives among the canals and cajuput trees. Quietly draped on the banks of Hau River, Chau Giang village with white Mosques as a peaceful place in the opposite of Chau Doc. The Cham minority village named Chau Giang is the largest Cham community in An Giang.
Chau Doc, An Giang is in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. The most interesting photography tour in Chau Doc is the shooting of the Ta Pa huge rice field, a lady with hand-rowing sampan in Tra Su forest, Khmer pagoda, Cham minority, the festival of cow racing in October, sugar palm field during the flood season and Chau Doc river life.
Mekong Delta Cruises
Chau Doc river or Bassac river is the meeting point of the river tributaries of the Mekong river from Cambodia to Vietnam. This town has many domestic and international cruises for tourists who are passionate about exploring nature and the majestic Mekong river. Mekong excursions can last for the day, overnight, or even cross-country between Vietnam and Cambodia and Laos. With the advantage of the mighty Mekong river, more and more tourists choose Chau Doc as the place to start the trip of a lifetime – the Mekong Delta expedition.
Getting here and around
Nowadays Chau Doc is getting easier for everyone to get there and get around. It also means that traveling to the town won’t take much sweat, especially when you get here by public bus, car via the highway. We will break this down in detail, so check the information below to choose your best vehicle option.
Air travel: Currently, there aren’t any direct flights to Chau Doc. The nearest one is Tan Son Nhat intl airport and Tra Noc intl (Can Tho) airport.
Bus travel: From Ho Chi Minh city to Chau Doc. The best bus company for getting from Saigon to Chau Doc is the Futa Bus Lines company. You can catch a bus from the Western bus station (address: 395 Kinh Duong Vuong, An Lac Ward, Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh City) with the time to travel to Chau Doc is 6 hours, to buy tickets or contact system of specialized vehicles running Saigon – Chau Doc route such as: Phuong Trang (futa bus lines), add in Saigon: 272 De Tham, District 1. Tel for booking ticket: 19006067. Once you’ve arrived at the Chau Doc Bus Station, take a taxi to your Chau Doc accommodation. Or, if taking the Futa bus line, take the complimentary transportation van which goes to certain areas in 10 km distance. For your return trip, you can pre-book your tickets or have your accommodation help reserve the tickets for you. If you choose to do the tour or homestay in Chau Doc, you’ll want the bus driver to drop you off at the 30 Thang 4 Park where the catfish statue is and next to the Victoria Chau Doc hotel. The locals from the homestays will arrange to pick you up in a boat when you arrive at the harbor.
Bus travel: From Can Tho to Chau Doc. Take the public bus as Futa bus line. Super easy to have a ticket. This bus is great and new and AC and departs from Can Tho to Chau Doc everyday. The bus ticket is about 120,000 VND. It is about 3,5 hours drive including the rest stop.
Boat travel: Not a public boat yet.
Speed Boat travel: From HCMC to Chau Doc.
Speed Boat travel: From Can Tho to Chau Doc. The charter spped boat is available as a personal requested
Cruises: Many cruises from Chau Doc to My Tho, Can Tho, Phnompenh and upstream and downstream the Mekong river.
Bicycle and motorcycle travel: While it’s possible to rent a motorbike to explore the Chau Doc city, most visitors choose to utilize the free bicycles offered by most resorts and homestays. The roads are bumpy and occasionally muddy but the distances are relatively short. You’ll notice that many of the locals opt to travel by bike as well so you’ll be in good company. From HCMC you can find “Thanh Lam motorbike rental shop: Address at No. 17C Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, contact: 0902 840 361” or “Style Motorbikes motorbike rental shop: Address at No.42/24 Tran Dinh Xu Street, Co Giang Ward, District 1, contact: 0915.139.796” and “Dragon Bikes motorbike rental shop: Address at No.182/5A De Tham Street, Cau Ong Lanh Ward, District 1, contact: 0909 283 280. Top Tip: Chau Doc has the most beautiful scenes in the Mekong Delta and they are still very original. Renting a bicycle and riding around the streets in the countryside is really an memorable experience.
Ferry travel:
Pedicab ride – Xe Loi ride
Pedicab (or Xe Lôi in Vietnamese): The pedicab service used to be the most common and famous mode of public transportation in the Mekong Delta. Consisting of a normal bicycle with a large two-wheeled trailer attached to it where passengers sit, it is locally known as Xe Lôi or Xe Đạp Lôi. But with the introduction of more modern and even cheaper vehicles for hire recently, the traditional service is in serious danger of being totally obliterated. Chau Doc is the only place to have a Xe Loi ride as a unique experience for both locals and tourists.
Best time to Visit Chau Doc
Chau Doc is located within the climate of a subsolar tropical area, with high and stable temperature as the typical characteristics of the Mekong Delta River climate. The weather is hot and humid throughout the year with an average temperature of 25oC – 29oC. The climate is divided into two distinct seasons: the rainy season from May to November coincides with the South West monsoon, the dry season from December to April next year coincides with the North East monsoon. Chau Doc welcomes you in any season all year round, each of which will certainly offer you specifically different types of pleasure and satisfaction. However, the best time to visit Chau Doc is from September to March. The weather is cool and pretty comfortable, so you can join any activity that you like.
Floating season (September – December): It is the best time to visit Chau Doc and the Mekong Delta region in general. You can go fishing in our traditional wooden boats, discover pristine nature and spend the best time in the amazing Tra Su forest.
Rainy season (May – October): It is not a bad choice when traveling to Chau Doc during rainy seasons since the rains are short and will not affect your trip.
Dry season (January – April): It is hot and dry during this time, however, it is harvesting time here and you can enjoy watching the harvest activities with the locals.
With an area of about 280ha and moderate height of 241m, Sam mountain is a very popular tourist destination that anyone visiting Chau Doc has to visit. The mountain is covered with shady trees all year round. In the summer, Sam mountain with the red color of flamboyant flowers nestled among the winding canals around. Sam Mountain is a gathering place for a system of ancient temples, pagodas, and interesting caves, creating a scenic, charming setting in the fertile plains… Read more info & pictures
Tra Su Cajuput Forest
Tra Su Protected and conserved Melaleuca Forest is located in Van Giao Commune, Tinh Bien District, An Giang Province, about over 20km from Chau Doc Town (around 45’) and 10km from the Cambodia border, 124km from Can Tho City. To get to Tra Su Cajuput Forest, first go to Chau Doc Town and then turn left about 17km to Nha Bang Town in Tinh Bien District. From there it is only 4km to Cam Mountain, which is right next to the Tra Su Cajuput Forest. Top tip: Most tourists stay overnight in Chau Doc for the following morning on a speed boat to upstream to Phnompenh Cambodia, or they can do the Tra Su forest tour from Can Tho in one day. The best way to experience the key sites of the forest is by using a motor-boat and a sampan (dinghy) as they weave through the forest. It permits a leisurely trip of all the significant sites throughout the ecological forest where have many lotuses, water lilies and water hyacinths…and woo to listen to the magical music as performed by the birds (cormorant, stork, bittern…) of the forest and other jungle insects. Furthermore, passengers also see the stunning duckweed (water lettuce) that blankets the water’s surface which looks like an enormous emerald-green. Sometimes, the rowing sampan pauses the boat and shows tourists some huge honey bee hives that rest on the branch of the tree. After a short walk in the middle of the forest there is a 23m bird-watching tower equipped with a telescope. From the tower, visitors see a vast green spread of cajeput trees, birds perched on trees and Sam mountain as well. Top tip: Make sure you visit the forest at the right time, rowing sampan service and lunch are optional and feel free to unuse. Prepare small changes for the telescope if needed. Top Tip: A lady with the hand-rowing sampan in Tra Su forest is the postcard typical image of the Mekong Delta, so be sure to have your camera at the ready… Read more info & pictures
The boat ride from/to Phnom Penh to/from Chau Doc
While there are the obvious environmental benefits of not flying, it’s also a much more tranquil way to travel and means you can explore the beautiful greens and river villages of Southern Vietnam, that you might end up skipping if you were to fly straight into slightly further north Ho Chi Minh City. There are a couple of different boat operators serving this route, which takes around five hours. The speed boat leaves just after lunch from Phnompenh (leave at 7am from Chau Doc), with the departure being from the main ‘Passenger and Tourist Terminal’ in the Phnompenh city (Con Tien ferry station in Chau Doc VietNam), as it’s named on Google Maps. Tickets can be purchased at the terminal, or from basically any tourist agent in the city. Booking in advance is highly advisable while the prices are fixed.
Getting a visa for the Phnom Penh to Chau Doc boat crossing
To enter Vietnam from Cambodia on the Phnom Penh to Chau Doc route you’ll need to ensure you have your Vietnam visa before departure. The border point on the river is called Vinh Xuong and also Song Tien Landport, as it’s a river, but the boats actually rest up at a pier and you walk on land to the check-point to be stamped in – it’s Song Tien that is stamped into your passport. There is a small coffee shop here, with a money exchange (don’t expect the best rate!). The process is fairly quick, and you are off at once to do this following the stamping out of Cambodia at their Khoorm Som Nor check-point.
The Lady Temple – The Ba Chua Xu Temple
Ba Chua Xu Temple – Located at the foot of Sam Mountain – the main attraction in Chau Doc. The temple was established at the beginning of the 19th century in Vinh Te Hamlet, Chau Doc Town. At first, the temple was made of bamboo. In 1962, it was roofed with double tiles. Then in 1972, it was rebuilt (except the 10 meter-long stone wall at the back, which was the old platform of the tower). The monument was completed in 1976. Ba Chua Xu Temple Festival is held from 23 to 27 of the 4th lunar month. Thousands of pilgrims come to the festival to attend the washing of the statue, to burn joss-sticks, to offer flowers, and to pray for health and luck… Read more info & pictures
Tay An pagoda
Tay An Pagoda is an ancient pagoda with a mixture of Vietnamese and Asian architectural styles in Chau Doc. Lying on one side of Sam Mountain, under the lights looking like a monk dressed in yellow and heading towards the town with a quiet and peaceful atmosphere, Tay An pagoda is really a beautiful sight. The pagoda was constructed in 1847 and has been renovated and repaired many times. In 1958, it was completely upgraded to a total area of 1,250 m2 with nearly 200 statues. The main temple has more than 100 statues each representing the power of Buddhism; the most highlighted statue is a Buddha sitting on the Lotus Tower. It can be said that the solemnity and holiness of Tay An pagoda has become an invisible power, attracting a great number of monks and pilgrims. But the solemn and ancient style of the pagoda and peaceful space are what visitors will never forget… Read more info & pictures
Thoai Ngoc Hau tomb
Thoai Ngoc Hau Tomb is located in front of Ba Chua Xu Temple, which is the biggest monument at the foot of Sam Mountain, 5 kilometers south-west of Chau Doc. The worshiped person, originally named Nguyen Van Thoai (1761 – 1829), was the first man from this area to exploit the virgin soil, establish living settlements, and dig Vinh Te and Thoai Ha channels. He was buried there along with his two wives and a temple in his honor was built in the 1930s. Thoai Ngoc Hau Tomb is a great piece of art of ancient architecture… Read more info & pictures
Phuoc Dien Pagoda – Hang Pagoda
One of the highlights of the tour to Chau Doc – An Giang is climbing over 400 stairs to Phuoc Dien Pagoda which is also Hang Pagoda (Cave Pagoda) on Sam Mountain. The main sanctuary features the statues of A Di Da (the Buddha of the Past) and Thich Ca Buddha (Sakyamuni, the Historical Buddha), while in the caverns and grottoes you’ll find a host of deities, including a 1000-arm and 1000-eye Quan Am. There’s also a mirror room of Buddhas and an effigy of Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism. Hang Pagoda is a community of relics with beautiful architecture, representing the imbuement of the traditional cultural identity of the nation. Carrying the beauties of the ancientness, the seriousness and the majesty, many visitors are impressed and curious because the attachment with the name of Hang Pagoda is a natural cave with many legends transmitted orally in many generations… Read more info & pictures
Vinh Te canal
Vinh Te Canal is an 87-kilometers-long which is the longest and the most important location canal in the southern border of Vietnam during the Nguyen Dynasty, designed to connect two famous tourist spots in the west, Chau Doc city – An Giang province and Ha Tien town – Kien Giang province. This is a significant work in the field of economics and defense, associated with the name of Thoai Ngoc Hau – the worshiped person in the above tomb… Read more info & pictures
Tra Su Bird Sanctuary
Tra Su Bird Sanctuary is worth a visit because it is a surprisingly beautiful landscape around 25 kilometers from Chau Doc. Whether you are the person who is interested in watching the bird or just looking for a quiet time in a stunning natural setting. There are a handful of nature reserves and bird sanctuaries. Tra Su is home to a rich array of bird and others wildlife that lives among the canals and cajuput trees… Read more info & pictures
Tinh Bien Market
Tinh Bien market is a Cambodian/Vietnamese border market in Chau Doc. Goods here are mostly imported goods, the most are goods imported from Thailand and prices are relatively cheaper than goods from many places in the country. On Saturdays and Sundays visitors increase much more, mainly of them are from the Eastern provinces, Ho Chi Minh City and provinces of the Mekong Delta following spiritual tourism, mountainous and border tourism. From Chau Doc Town, it takes about 30 minutes to get to Nha Bang Town. From there, move on about 10 kilometers heading to Xuan To Town to get to the Tinh Bien border gate market… Read more info & pictures
Cam Mountain – Forbidden Mountain
Addressed at An Hao ward, Tinh Bien District, An Giang province, Cam Mountain locates an elevation of 705m above the sea level with a panoramic view on the top. Cam Mountain is considered as a Dalat (a famous highland resort) in the Mekong Delta with such spectacular mountainous terrain. The Great white sitting Buddha statue is the most impressive symbol of the Cam Mountain area. The mountain has a cool climate year-round, original natural sights associated with interesting, heart-warming stories that attract numbers of tourists and vacationers. Cam Mountain cable car has become a new remarkable thing for An Giang tourism and also been a pride of people here. As one of the most expensive tourist destinations of Chau Doc, Cam Mount annually welcomes thousands of tourists to visit. Since it is channeled more capital to the cable car, Cam Mount has become an extremely crowded and attractive destination of the region… Read more info & pictures
Cham Minority Village
Quietly draped on the banks of Hau River, Chau Giang village with white Mosques as a peaceful place in the opposite of Chau Doc. The Cham minority village named Chau Giang is the largest Cham community in An Giang. From Chau Doc city, just over 5 minutes by ferry you are in Chau Giang village. The Cham religion of the coastal Cham is influenced by Hinduism. Beside The Cham people around Chau Doc, represent the mixture between a rustic form of Sunni Islam, due to being come by seafaring Muslim traders in the late 10th and early 11th centuries and immigrated of Muslim Chams from Cambodia to the Mekong Delta in the mid-19th century. Chau Doc is home to diverse ethnic and religious communities where Cambodian Buddhists, Vietnamese Buddhists, ethnic Chinese and Muslim Cham living peacefully side by side… Read more info & pictures
Amazing Chau Doc Mosques
There are many beautiful mosques in the Cham village.
Murabak Mosque: Located in Tan Chau Township, Mubarak Mosque is near Chau Doc City and can be reached by the river. After some minutes on Chau Giang ferry, tourists will see the onion-shaped peak in the distance and crescent moon patterns in – a typical feature of Muslim architecture.
Masjid Jamiul Ahza Mosque: Masjid Jamiul Azhar is one of the oldest and most fabulous mosques in An Giang province, located in Chau Phong commune, Tan Chau town, An Giang province. The Masjid Jamiul Azhar mosque was built in 1959 and upgraded in 2012, and is now under construction and officially opened on 3 August 2014.
Masjid Al Ehsan Mosque: Masjid Al Ehsan was built in 1937. The canals that flow quietly alongside the border town of Chau Doc, are all tributaries which feed the Mighty Mekong River. The Cham Muslim people have made these backwaters their home. The Masjid Al Ehsan lies riverside, the treasured heart of their community. White domed and marble tiled tranquility offers respite from the heat and bustle of the thronging markets that lie on the shores nearby. Masjid Al Ehsan, through whose arched windows one can stare off into the marshy fields of the Mekong, is a destination most worthy!
Chau Doc Floating Market
One of the best highlights to see and do in Chau Doc town is the authentic Chau Doc floating market and hidden gems – small canals. It is just about the traditional and cultural river life in the Mekong Delta now and then. Boat trip is the only way to reach the floating market located in the middle of the Chau Doc river (Bassac river). No worry, it is a very central distance from your hotel. Firstly, you get to Chau Doc riverside park, where basa fish sculpture is. Secondly, you take the boat trip from there, there are small sampan and big boats for a big group. The last, the boat trip, just takes you about 15 minutes from that boat station to the floating market. Top tip: You should hire a boat a day ahead at least, the next early morning is too dark and hurry to have a boat at 5am. As a local expert, we do know that the Chau Doc floating market will be no more after 7am and it is very small and very local, there are about more or less 20 boats and sampans at this market… Read more info & pictures
Chau Doc Floating Village & Fish Farm
Located to the west of Chau Doc city center, about 3 kilometers of riverway in the direction of upstream Mekong River in An Phu district, Chau Doc floating village is a freshwater fish farming village formed in the 60s of the last century. Since it is a tourist spot on the river, it is necessary to take a boat. Therefore, if you want to go to Chau Doc floating village, you must go to Chau Doc junction (about 500 meters from Chau Doc Victoria hotel) or Chau Giang wharf located across Chau Doc town to rent a boat. Boat rentals will have different price levels, depending on the visiting spots and the size of your group. Generally, you can be assured that the price is relatively reasonable. Top tip: Ask the hotel to help you out! If you hire a scooter or bicycle to get around and remember to reach Con Tien bridge which is a fantastic free spot to see the floating village from above… Read more info & pictures
30 Thang 4 Park in Chau Doc
Stretching from the main market to the Victoria Chau Doc Hotel, this park is the city’s main promenading spot and a superlative area for river gazing. Sculptures and a fountain are framed by manicured lawns and paths, and if you’re interested in getting river-borne, women may approach you here offering rides in small boats.
Chau Doc Cycling Tour
This is a favourite thing to do in Chau Doc, Mekong Delta. While biking or driving a scooter only induces panic and stress in Vietnam’s big cities, the bicycle is actually enjoyable in Vietnam’s small towns. Be sure to pin your hotel or homestay’s location on your map when you embark on your journey: there are a lot of twists and turns to these roads that could get you confused. If you take a ferry to another village, don’t be worried if your Google Maps feature just shows a block of green, without mapping any actual roads. Just learn or write down the phrase “Phà ở đâu?” (Where is the ferry?) Show someone this and give them the name and address of your accommodation; that will probably get you where you need to be.
Chau Doc Tours and Free itineraries
As a local travel expert in Chau Doc, here is some options for your Chau Doc discovery:
Itinerary 1: Tra Su Forest Tour From Chau Doc (half day)
Itinerary 2: Chau Doc Floating Market & Small Canals (Half day from Chau Doc)
Itinerary 3: From Chau Doc Tra Su forest tour & drop off Can Tho (full day)
Itinerary 4: Tra Su Forest and Chau Doc Floating Market (full day from Chau Doc)
Itinerary 5: Tra Su forest tour from Can Tho 1 (full day, drop off in Chau Doc)
Itinerary 6: Can Tho Chau Doc Phnompenh (2 days 1 night in Chau Doc and speed boat ticket to Phnompenh Cambodia)
Itinerary 7: Chau Doc Can Tho Vinh Long Cai Be HCMC (2 days 1 night in Can Tho)
If you do not have much time left, it is easy to check out spots in one full day by boat or with bike or with motorbike and car. But there are much more than tourist sites like these in Chau Doc. Make sure you have more time to feel and explore more about the hidden gems and the culture, food, night life, wildlife and forest as well. Top tip: Stay in a homestay nearby, so you have more chances to visit it and surroundings. If you are looking for the package Chau Doc daily tours with local, you can contact www.vemekong.com or Hotline/WhatsApp/WeChat/Zalo +84939888559; email: hello@vemekong.com
Chau Doc Homestays and Hotels
Hang Chau II Hotel, 10 Nguyen Van Thoai, ☏ +84 76 868891, +84 91 3970831, fax: +84 76 865 140, hangchau2agg@hcm.vnn.vn. Good budget option, within walking distance from the market and the river. It’s a bit impersonal, with a lack of decorative touches throughout the building, but it also has a stately 1960s ambiance, and the rooms are big. Parking is available. It’s a popular destination for tour groups, so check in early.
Trung Nguyen hotel, 86 Bach Dang. Great staff. Rooms are small but very clean, with hot water, a/c, and television.
Motel Number 6 Thanh Mai, 6 Phan Van Vang St, ☏ +84 76 867622. For a budget place, the atmosphere is clean and relaxing. Potential for bus station pick-up and Mekong slow boat/bus trip to Phnom Penh available.
Vinh Phuoc Hotel, 12-14 Quang Trung, ☏ +84 76 866242, +84 76 562265, vinhphuochotel@yahoo.com. A great budget deal, this place is run by an amiable Brit who is an excellent source of local travel information. Free wifi at reception.
Victoria Chau Doc Hotel – 4****, 32 Le Loi, ☏ +84 76 865010, fax: +84 76 865020. A luxury hotel where you’d least expect to find one, with no amenity left behind. Features 92 rooms, 4 suites, and total incongruity with its surroundings. Transfers to Phnom Penh via private speedboat are available. Rooms from USD99-155, river view suites USD144-220.
Victoria Nui Sam Lodge – 3***, Vinh Dong 1, Sam Mountain, Chau Doc City. Victoria Núi Sam Lodge is a beautiful hotel, with a tiered room system which means the views aren’t obstructed. Surrounded by rice fields, the views are sublime, especially from the pool area which was the perfect thing to wake up too. Raised up on a hill, it’s a truly spectacular setting, and well worth that tiny extra journey out of town. The restaurant was fantastic, as was the breakfast, all accompanied by amazing views – it’s also a very reasonably priced hotel. A short journey up from the hotel was a lovely Buddhist temple, where we went to meditate both mornings – such a serene setting.
Murray Guesthouse, address: No.11-15 Truong Dinh Street, Chau Phu B Ward, Chau Doc City, An Giang Province. Located in the city center, Murray Guesthouse takes a 10-minute walk from the banks of the Bassac River. Throughout the house, free Wifi access is available, along with free motorbike parking. The room is simply furnished, which has air conditioning. The guest house is 800 m far away to 30/4 Park and 2 km to Chau Doc Bus Station.
Hung Cuong Hotel – 2**, address: No.96 Dong Da Street, Chau Doc City, An Giang Province. Hung Cuong Hotel is a modern hotel offering air-conditioned rooms with a view of Chau Doc River and offers free Wifi. The hotel has a restaurant, 24-hour reception, and free private parking. The hotel is 500 m away from Chau Doc Market and 84 km from Rach Gia Airport.
Chau Pho Hotel – 3***, address: 88 Trung Nu Vuong Street, Chau Doc City, An Giang Province. Chau Pho Hotel is located at the center of Chau Doc City, just 15 minutes’ drive from Chau Pho Hotel to tourist sites and historical – cultural sites such as Sam Mountain, Thoai Ngoc Hau Tomb, Tay An Pagoda, Champa Village, Chau Pho is often chosen for budget foreign tourists for one night stay in Chau Doc.
Chau Doc Markets, Shopping and Souvenirs
Chau Doc Market
Located in Chau Phu A ward, Chau Doc city, An Giang province, Chau Doc market is a tourist destination not to be missed in An Giang traveling journey. The market has a lot of goods, the time to market from early morning to noon. The market is given the name “the kingdom of fermented fish” because half of the stalls in the market sell fermented fish. There are about 30 kinds of fermented fishes with delicious taste including catfish, snakeskin gouramis, snake-head fish, anabas, henicorhynchus and salted melon ones displayed on the counter. Besides the delicious fermented fish, dried fish with hundreds of species are also sold in Chau Doc Market. The famous here are dried catfish, snakes, snakeskin gouramis, loaches, mystuses. In addition to the famous specialties, Chau Doc Market also sells many other items for tourists such as clothes, shoes, hats, wallets, belts, backpacks, bags, masks, etc. You can find many other items if you have time walking around Chau Doc Market. Chau Doc Market is not only a busy market offering the necessary items to local people and tourists but also more meaning. This market is considered one of the tourist attractions in An Giang, attracting domestic and foreign visitors. Here, visitors learn about the culture, habits and ways of living of Chau Doc people in particularity and An Giang people in generality… Read more info & pictures
Mam
“Mam” is a kind of sauce made of fermented ingredients including fish or shrimp. Unlike the more familiar fish sauce, “mam” is powerfully pungent, similar to shrimp paste. Locals often eat “Mam” with rice, vegetables or use it to spice up some dishes. You should go to Chau Doc Market, the busy market with a variety of “mam” for you to choose from… Read more info & pictures
Sugar Palm Fruit
In the trip to Chau Doc, tourists should buy delicious Chau Doc palm sugar fruit as a special regional gift… Read more info & pictures
Tamarind and Rattan Fruit
In Chau Doc, tourists are easily “enchanted” by the fresh and delicious tamarind, which are sold everywhere. Along the roads to Chau Doc, visitors will encounter many fruit stalls selling rattan fruit (also known as Thai rattan), a rare fruit that is only popular in An Giang.
Chau Doc town is pretty small and about 20 minutes walking to explore the riverside where you may be interested in some floating restaurants from Sunrise, Victoria, Con Tien, Be Noi floating restaurant…Top tip: Take your own insect repellent if you want to have food or drink at the local riverside. We recommend you have food near or in your hotel. Set up the alarm or hotel morning call for your early trip if needed… Read more info & pictures
Thanh Tinh restaurant
Thanh Tinh restaurant on 13 Quang Trung (close to the indoor market). 06:00-21:00. A nice and clean local restaurant that serves vegan food. Friendly and English-speaking staff. They can also prepare take-away meals.
Bay Bong restaurant
Bay Bong restaurant on 22 Duong Thuong Dang Le (with the indoor market on your right hand side, continue until you can only go left or right; go right there and you’ll eventually see it on your left), ☏ +84 76 867 271. Good food with a very long menu; locals and visitors eat here. The atmosphere isn’t particularly romantic.
Chau Giang Floating Restaurant
Chau Giang Floating Restaurant on Trần Hưng Đạo street. You can get a cheap drink with a great view of the river at the Chau Giang Floating Restaurant, on the pier at the opposite end to the Victoria Hotel, near the Hang Chau ferry office
Chau Doc Street Foods
Also like other cities in the Mekong River Delta area, Chau Doc also have its many different traditional and special food which is created and cooked directly by the locals at here, and arrival here we should not miss the dishes such as Com Tam (rice) this is one kind of rice but it is cooked very differently and specially, it is eaten with many different meats and vegetables, you should try this kind of food in Ly Tu Trong street because this street offer this kind of food is the most delicious. The second special food which we must list is Bun Ca (the soft noodle is cooked with fish), you should try this food at the area which is located nearby Bo De temple, this place offers the best of this kind of special food. Another famous food in this city, we also should try other dishes in this city such as Lau Mam, Lau Trau, Bo Bay Mon, Xoi Phong, Bun Nuoc Ken, Banh Bo….. Banh bo cake of Chau Doc is a mixture of flour, milk and sugar which is made from palm trees which help make a mouthwatering smell. The cake costs about VND 5000 (USD 0.2) per unit. The cake has a crispy outer ring and a soft inner layer. You should not miss this specialty during your trip to Chau Doc.
Chau Doc Hidden Gems
Ta Pa rice fields
Ta Pa huge rice fields are the most beautiful rice fields in the Mekong Delta. The palm trees that stand between the fields make this a beautiful and iconic image. You can find them about 40 kilometers from the city and can be perfectly combined with Sam Mountain and Tra Su which can be found along the way… Read more info & pictures
The capital of An Giang Province is Long Xuyen, a town located nearly 60 kilometers from Chau Doc. Early every morning you will find the Long Xuyen floating market here, so if you want to visit it, it is best to be in this city the day before. Boat trip is the only way to reach the floating market located in the middle of the Long Xuyen river. No worry, it is a very central distance from your hotel. Firstly, you get to Long Xuyen market on the mainland, where O Moi ferry station is. Secondly, you take the boat trip from there, there are small sampan and big boats for a big group. The last, the boat trip, just takes you about 10 minutes from that boat station to the floating market. Top tip: You should hire a boat a day ahead at least, the next early morning is too dark and hurry to have a boat at 5am… Read more info & pictures
Tuc Dup Hill
For those interested in the Vietnam War, Tuc Dup Hill is worth a visit. It is also referred to as the 2 Million Dollar Hill because the Americans are said to have used $ 2 million in bullets and bombs to target this hill. This was because the Viet Cong fought heavily here during the American attack that lasted four months. There is little to see now, but near this hill you will find a cemetery and memorial… Read more info & pictures
Chau Phu Temple
Dinh Chau Phu (Chau Phu Temple) represents the essence and the typical architecture bearing a bold imprint of the Nguyen dynasty, and the traditional style of the communal village of South Vietnam. So, Chau Phu Temple was the decision of the Ministry of Culture to recognize national architectural monuments in 1988. Every year, the temple holds a ceremony on Nguyen Huu Canh death’s anniversary on the 10th and 11th of May according to the lunar calendar and celebrates the death anniversary of Thoai Ngoc on June 6 of the lunar calendar. Every festival attracts crowds to worship. Dinh Chau Phu is on Tran Hung Dao – Nguyen Van Thoai Street (Chau Phu A Ward), worshiping Cardinal Nguyen Huu Canh. He was the one who made many great achievements and was conferred the title by the king dynasty: Admiral Marshal of the Spirit, Noble God, the Nation of the Gods and Feast.
Ba Chuc Tomb – Ba Chuc Crypt
Ba Chuc’s memorial, 40 km south of Chau Doc, stands as a ghastly reminder of the horrors perpetrated by the Khmer Rouge. Between 18 April and 30 April 1978, the Khmer Rouge killed 3157 villagers here, leaving only two survivors. The memorial consists of two parts: the ossuary housing the skulls and bones of more than 1100 victims; and the memorial room next door, displaying wrenching post-massacre photos. Between 1975 and 1978 Khmer Rouge soldiers regularly crossed the border into Vietnam and slaughtered innocent civilians. Over the border, things were even worse, with nearly two million Cambodians killed during the period of Pol Pot’s Democratic Kampuchea regime. In the ossuary, designed to resemble a flowering lotus, the skulls and bones are divided by age group (including the minute skulls of toddlers and babies) and gender. This collection resembles Cambodia’s Choeung Ek killing fields, where thousands of skulls of Khmer Rouge victims are on display, but as it’s clean, sterile and well lit, with a spot to leave offerings in the centre, it appears almost cheerful compared to what confronts you next door. The memorial room showcases the weapons used by the Khmer Rouge (knives, bayonets and cudgels) and sticks used for torture, particularly of women. Many of the Ba Chuc victims were tortured to death. The photos are for strong stomachs only. The bottoms of walls at the Phi Lai Tu Temple behind the memorial room are still stained dark with the blood of the slain; more than 300 villagers were slaughtered inside. The Vietnamese government might have had other motives for invading Cambodia at the end of 1978, but certainly outrage at the Ba Chuc massacre was a major one. Ba Chuc is 4km south of the road running parallel to the Cambodian border between Ha Tien and Chau Doc. The site was extensively renovated to mark the 40-year commemoration of the massacre in 2018… Read more info & pictures
Chau Doc History and Culture
Chau Doc History
Chau Doc Nightlife
Chau Doc Festivals, Sports and Outdoor Activities
Cow Racing Festival
If tourists visit Chau Doc in the period of Sene Dolta Day of Khmer People in Mekong Delta (from the 9th to the 10th day in Lunar Calendar), they can participate in the Cow Racing Festival. This festival has existed for a long time in the Seven Mountains Region of An Giang Province with the purpose of expressing gratitude toward ancestors. The unique and interesting point of cow racing is that two cows are tied by a special rake. After the signal whistle of the referee, the driver will hit into the cows’ asses with a tow. However, this driver must be very skillful in hitting two cows with the same energy to make them run with the same speed. According to the rule, a pair of cows running out of the racing course must get out of the competition. In addition, the driver must stand steadily on the rake because falling out of the rake will be considered a loser. The pair of cows trampling on the rake of the front pair will be the winner. During the race, pairs of cows and their drivers are always encouraged and urged by the inspiring and exciting atmosphere of simmering cheers and applause. Coming to the Cow Racing Festival, tourists will experience unique cultural festivals which can only be seen in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta… Read more info & pictures
Chau Doc Health and Safety
Dos and Don’ts for Your Trip to Chau Doc
Practical tips: Ways to save, Internet, Water, Learn a little Vietnamese and pro Tips
Ways to save:
Stay somewhere with free breakfast. Many budget hotels offer free breakfast to guests.
Eat street food. Food stalls are cheap and plentiful and are a great place to try regional specialities.
Travel by bicycle/motorbike. These two-wheeled bikes are among the cheapest ways to get around Can Tho and Mekong Delta region.
Stick to free attractions. If you’re really tight for cash, attractions such as markets cost nothing.
Chau Doc group tours. If you want to see and learn as much as possible with your limited time.
Internet:
Free Wi-Fi can be found everywhere from hotels to coffee shops. If you are from the EU you should be able to use your own data plan too. Or contact the hotel for the sim card.
Water:
Tap water is supposed to be safe but I advise against drinking it. It’s just not worth the risk. My advice is to use bottled water and save yourself from unexpected stomach problems.
Learn a little Vietnamese:
Sure, you can get by with just speaking English, but trying to speak the local language opens you up to much more polite & meaningful interactions with people. Even if you are not perfect or you make a mistake, your effort is appreciated. At a bare minimum: Hello = xin chao (sin chow), yes = dạ vâng, no = không (khom), thank you = cám ơn (kahm uhn), I’m sorry = tôi xin lỗi (toy sin loy), no problem/you’re welcome = không có gì (khong koh zi), goodbye = tạm biệt (tarm byeet), I’m vegetarian = tôi ăn chay (toy an chayh), How much? = bao nhiêu? (baow nyew), spicy/hot (cay), Oh My God (ôi..choy…oi…).
You can stay in a homestay which is near the floating market, this will help you out the best option. Then you can hire a scooter, car or bike and explore it by yourself, but you still need to hire a boat for the floating market tour.
If you plan to extend your travel to Chau Doc homestay, do not forget to bring mosquito repellent cream.
Visit Chau Doc or do any customized tours, please choose reputable providers with boat trips equipped with lifebuoys, jackets, motorcycle and cycling tours with the helmets and. Safety is a priority! Choose Chau Doc responsible tours which help you give back while traveling. It’s a cliché, but it’s true.
Hopefully, the above tips will help you to come up with a great plan for your adventure in Chau Doc, An Giang province, Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Have a safe trip!
“Sleep less, travel more, respect more” – Thomas Vietnam – Local travel expert.
Planning a holiday to Tra Vinh? Discover top reasons to go, best time to visit, tours and free itineraries, history and hidden gems with the official guide! Find out what to do, where to go, where to stay and what to eat in Tra Vinh from the local travel experts who know it best. If you’re not able to visit just yet, plan ahead to make the most of your wish-lists.
Tra Vinh Travel Guide – The Official Visitor Information Center
Tra Vinh, one of the prettiest towns in the Mekong Delta, is a peaceful place to explore the region’s little-touted Cambodian connection and have yet to see tourists in any numbers. Around 300,000 ethnic Khmer live in the surrounding province and the area is dotted with more than 160 Khmer pagodas. With wide boulevards shaded by lines of trees, the town itself is more symbolic of the French colonialism era, but get beyond the outskirts and you’ll soon discover that Khmer culture is still alive and well in these parts of Vietnam. Tra Vinh Province belongs to the Mekong River Delta in the South of Vietnam. Tra Vinh City is 66km from Vinh Long, 130km from Ho Chi Minh City, 44km from Ben Tre, 80km from Can Tho and has a long coastline of 65km with the East Sea on the East. While few people speak English, there’s certainly no shortage of smiles—Tra Vinh may be well off the tourist trail, but it is an amazingly friendly place.
Top Reasons to Go
Non-touristy
Adjacent to the Ben Tre, Vinh Long and Can Tho (where they have hundred boats, cruises and international airport), few tourists know that Tra Vinh is like a hidden gem and well off the tourist trail, but it is an amazingly friendly place. Besides, Tra Vinh is also famous for the paradise of extremely beautiful and unique Khmer temples in Vietnam.
A Trip to 160 Khmer Temples
Tra Vinh is the Khmer’s minority land in Vietnam; as you get nearer to Tra Vinh, distinctive pagodas begin to appear beside the road, painted in rich pastel shades of lilac, orange and turquoise, their steep horned roofs puncturing the sky. The Khmer temples in Tra Vinh Province are all enclosed in leafy, walled compounds, shaded by tall tropical trees including exotic-looking lontar palms, tamarind, mango, coconut and traveller’s palms. The temple grounds are pleasant, calm places – refuges from the sun, heat and rain of the Mekong plains, and from the noise, commerce and industry of much of the Delta region. Altogether there are over 160 Khmer pagodas scattered around the province. For us, the temple enclosures are places to contemplate, to read, to write, to breathe, to stroll: like a park. Visitors come here to watch the storks at nearby Hang Pagoda. One of the best highlights to see and do in Tra Vinh city is Vam Ray pagoda – A beautiful Tra Vinh Khmer pagoda in Mekong Delta Vietnam. The pagoda is not only famous for the reclining Buddha statue and the stupa but also for its striking architecture.
Ethnic Khmer
Ethnic Khmer is a component of the community of 54 enthic groups in Vietnam who have lived for a long time with the Kinh, Hoa and several other ethnic minorities in the Mekong River Delta. It is the most populous ethnic group among those who use Mon – Khmer languages in our country.
Khmer people have a unique traditional cultural identity which is expressed through their writing, customs, festivals and customs as well as other community activities. As a devout people, they observe many festivals originating from Buddhist such as the Vesak Festival, Dolta Ceremony (gratitude to one’s parents, a pardon for all spirit), Chol Chhnam Thmey (New Year), Ok Om Bok Ceremony (Moon Worship, eating new young rice, Ngo boat race) and many more. All the customs and festivals of Khmer people include the religious colours of both Brahmanism and Buddhism, as well as the typical features of the inhabitants of a wet rice farm and are closely associated with the pagoda. For the Khmer, the pagoda is a “scared realm”, the place to entrust the followers’ whole lives with the concept of entrusting their bodies to do pagoda while still living and the entering of their bones in the pagoda after death. The pagoda is the spiritual and cultural space and the center for cultural activities of the community.
The ancestors of the Khmer in the South are a part of the ancient people in Southeast Asia, which researchers call ProtoIndochine. The group which inhabits lower Laos and northeast Cambodia today has passed through the transformations of the human race and been affected by many other components, especially Indian, Malay and Mon, eventually becoming the Khmer. In the late fifth century and early sixth century AD, thanks to the development of iron technology and the influence of Indian culture, these ancient Khmer tribes made up the early nation Bhawanpura which the ancient Chinese bibliographies calles Chenla. Traces of this nation remain today in the famous archaeological sites of Mlu-Prây and Vát Phu.
Cuisine
Bun Nuoc Leo Tra Vinh is a kind of rice noodle/ vermicelli with soup. People call Tra Vinh noodle soup as a dish of solidarity, because the dish is the quintessential combination of Kinh – Khmer – Hoa ethnic groups, shown in each dish ingredient is typical of 3 ethnic groups. The “soul” of the broth is a blend of lemongrass, fish sauce and ngai bun – a turmeric-like tuber, slightly darker than turmeric.
One of the best Tra Vinh Street Foods is definitely Cong Cake (Banh Cong). It is a hot, crispy drain cake with the greasy meat, shrimps and the green beans served with sweet and sour sauce and vegetable
Coming to Tra Vinh, you not only can enjoy the beautiful scenery of ancient pagodas or participate in joyful and colorful festivals with the identity of the three ethnic groups Kinh, Hoa and Khmer, visitors also enjoy delicious cakes of this place. The most special thing to mention is the Banh Tet Tra Cuon (sticky rice cake from Tra Cuon village). Tra Cuon Tet Cakes are more delicious and tasty because of the good quality ingredients that are carefully chosen, from the quality of glutinous rice for making the cakes to the variety of banana leaves for wrapping them.
Getting here and around
Nowadays Tra Vinh is getting easier for everyone to get there and get around. It also means that traveling to the town won’t take much sweat, especially when you get here by public bus, car via the highway. We will break this down in detail, so check the information below to choose your best vehicle option.
Air travel: Currently, there aren’t any direct flights to Tra Vinh. The nearest one is Tan Son Nhat intl airport and Tra Noc intl (Can Tho) airport.
Bus travel: From Ho Chi Minh city to Tra Vinh. The best bus company for getting from Saigon to Tra Vinh is the Futa Bus Lines company. You can catch a bus from the Western bus station (address: 395 Kinh Duong Vuong, An Lac Ward, Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh City) with the time to travel to Tra Vinh is 3 hours, to buy tickets or contact system of specialized vehicles running Saigon – Tra Vinh route such as: Phuong Trang (futa bus lines), add in Saigon: 272 De Tham, District 1. Tel for booking ticket: 19006067. Once you’ve arrived at the Tra Vinh Bus Station, take a taxi to your Tra Vinh accommodation. Or, if taking the Futa bus line, take the complimentary transportation van which goes to certain areas in 10 km distance. For your return trip, you can pre-book your tickets or have your accommodation help reserve the tickets for you.
Bus travel: From Can Tho to Tra Vinh. Take the public bus as Phuong Trang Futa bus line. Super easy to have a ticket. These buses are great and new and AC and depart from Can Tho to Tra Vinh daily.
Boat travel: Not a public boat yet.
Speed Boat travel: From HCMC to Tra Vinh. Not yet
Speed Boat travel: From Can Tho to Tra Vinh. Not yet
Cruises: Not yet.
Train travel: Not yet.
Bicycle and motorcycle travel: While it’s possible to rent a motorbike to explore the Tra Vinh, most visitors choose to utilize the free bicycles offered by most resorts and homestays. The roads are bumpy and occasionally muddy but the distances are relatively short. You’ll notice that many of the locals opt to travel by bike as well so you’ll be in good company. From HCMC you can find “Thanh Lam motorbike rental shop: Address at No.17C Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, contact: 0902 840 361” or “Style Motorbikes motorbike rental shop: Address at No.42/24 Tran Dinh Xu Street, Co Giang Ward, District 1, contact: 0915.139.796” and “Dragon Bikes motorbike rental shop: Address at No.182/5A De Tham Street, Cau Ong Lanh Ward, District 1, contact: 0909 283 280. Top Tip: Tra Vinh has the most beautiful scenes in the Mekong Delta and they are still very original. Renting a bicycle and riding around the streets in the countryside is really a memorable experience.
Ferry travel: Not yet.
Best time to Visit Tra Vinh
Belonging to the Mekong Delta River, Tra Vinh shares the common advantages with the whole region: abundant light conditions and high and stable temperature. However, due to the climate features of the coastal region, Tra Vinh also suffered from difficulties such as strong wind, high level of evaporation and low rainfall. The average temperature of Tra Vinh is 26.6°C, which ranges from the minimum of 18.5 °C to the maximum of 35.8 °C. Tra Vinh’s climate is divided into 2 main seasons: dry season and rainy season. If you want to avoid the heavy tropical downpours of the monsoon, come during the dry season (roughly November-April), when the skies are clear, the sun shines, and humidity is low. However, by April the temperatures can be extremely hot. On the other hand, the rainy season (roughly May-October) can be atmospheric in this region because of the epic monsoon skies: great cloud cathedrals rising above the vast flat delta. But flooding could be a problem at this time of year, particularly as many of the smaller, back-roads on this loop run alongside waterways.
Tra Vinh Tourist attractions
Hang Pagoda
Called Hang Pagoda (Hang means cave) because the temple gate has a design very similar to a cave leading into the spiritual world of indigenous people. Different from meticulously embellished architectural works, this temple has perfect harmony with nature. Also called Stork pagoda because the campus in the temple is half-covered with trees, which is also home to many unique birds. Taking advantage of that rich resources, the monks here have carved large trees themselves, turning them into unique artworks of the temple. The sight of the hundreds of storks that nest in the grounds of this Khmer pagoda is one that will linger in the memory. Timing, however, is all-important, and you should aim to catch these magnificent creatures before dusk, when they wheel and hover over the treetops, their snowy wings catching the evening’s sunlight. It’s a stirring sight, though you might find yourself distracted by the saffron-robed monks who clamour to practise their English. They may also show you their woodcarving workshop, where there’s usually someone at work on a wooden tiger. The pagoda is located 6 km south of town, 300m past the bus station… Read more info & pictures
Nôdol Pagoda (Stork temple)
Nodol temple or Co temple or Stock temple in Giong Lon hamlet, Dai An commune, Tra Cu district, Tra Vinh, 40km from Tra Vinh town to the south shall be just good call for those fancying a crowded flock perching everywhere. It was built in 1677. The great pagoda features Khmer architectural traits. The main hall, stupa, monk chamber and the synagogue mount on peaks and pinnacles. Temple is surrounded by bamboo trees, Hopea odorata green all year round… Read more info & pictures
Ba Dong Beach
Located in Truong Long Hoa commune, Duyen Hai district, about 55km from the center of Tra Vinh town. Previously, the French had built on the most beautiful beach of Long Hoa field a resort for quiescence. Ba Dong beach still retains pristine features with nice sand, clear water, fresh air and quietness. The name of Ba Dong beach comes from the daily activities of the sea. Every low tide, the beach emerges three beautiful and unique sand caves (including two small caves and one large cave). So if you miss Ba Dong at the time of the sprint, you still have a fun time at these great dunes. Visiting Ba Dong beach you can also enjoy the famous specialities of the western river region. Many of the items, infrastructure investment has sprung to serve the tourism potential in Ba Dong Beach like Long Toan bridge, Kinh Xang, Bai Don, Lang Chim ferry… Read more info & pictures
Ba Om Pond
Five kilometres southwest of Tra Vinh, Ba Om Pond, this large, lotus-filled, village of Ta Cu, Nguyet Hoa commune, Chau Thanh district, is one of the most scenic spots of Tra Vinh province. Ba Om pond has a rectangular shape 500m long and 300m wide. Calm and blue surface mirrors the ancient trees enclosed. Over time, the roots of the old trees around the pond bulge on the ground and form fanciful shapes. Around the pond are high sand mounds shaded hopea odorata; The atmosphere feels clean and cool. Ba Om Pond is a favourite place for the local picnickers, and a spiritual site for the Khmers. Around the pond, drinks and snack vendors lie in wait for visitors, but although it can get crowded at weekends, on weekdays it is usually restful. In 1994, the Ministry of Culture and Information decided to recognize the Ba Om Pond to be a relic and national scenic spot. Also at this site are the Ang Pagoda and, opposite its entrance, is the nicely presented Khmer Minority People’s Museum… Read more info & pictures
Ang pagoda
Built on temple ruins adjacent to Ba Om Pond, Ang Pagoda is a venerable Khmer-style pagoda, fusing classic Khmer architecture with French colonial influences. The interior features brightly painted scenes from the Buddha’s life, and the friendly monks may try chatting with you… Read more info & pictures
Khmer Minority People’s Museum
Paired with the Khmer museum in Soc Trang province. It’s the shortest address for those who are interested in learning about Khmer culture. The Khmer Museum of Tra Vinh is the ideal Tra Vinh tourist destination for those interested in learning about Khmer culture. The museum was inaugurated in 1995 in cluster 4, ward 8, Tra Vinh town. This place currently preserves a lot of rich artifacts about the cultural, spiritual, material cultural life of the Khmer people in Tra Vinh and the Mekong Delta… Read more info & pictures
Vam Ray Pagoda
Vam Ray Pagoda is the largest Khmer temple in Vietnam with bold Khmer architecture. This place attracts not only local people but also tourists from all over the world to visit and worship. The distinctive structure and outstanding yellow colour of Vam Ray Pagoda easily remind people of the scenery of the distant country of the Golden Temple. With its unique outstanding architecture. Vam Ray pagoda has contributed to creating a new face for the cultural tourism industry of Tra Vinh province as well as of the system of Khmer Nam Bo pagodas. Vam Ray pagoda is also the very hot check-in point of Tra Vinh. The main hall has a strangely beautiful image, radiating a mystical spiritual atmosphere. Many young people choose to check-in at sunset when the orange sunlight turns to a fanciful purple color coating each pattern. If you catch the moment when the pigeons flutter their wings on the top of the tower, you will get an image with a beautiful background… Read more info & pictures
Tra Vinh Tours and Free itineraries
As a local travel expert in Tra Vinh, here is some options for your Tra Vinh discovery:
Itinerary 1: Tra Vinh City tour from Tra Vinh center (full day)
Itinerary 2: Tra Vinh Cycling Tour from Tra Vinh (full day)
Itinerary 3: Tra Vinh Tour from HCMC 1 Day (full day)
Itinerary 4: Tra Vinh Tour from Can Tho 1 Day (full day)
Itinerary 5: Tra Vinh Tour from HCMC and Drop off in Can Tho 1 Day (full day)
Itinerary 6: Tra Vinh Tour from HCMC 2 Day (2 days, 1 night in Tra Vinh)
Itinerary 7: Tra Vinh & Can Tho Tour from HCMC (2 days, 1 night in Can Tho)
If you do not have much time left, it is easy to check out spots in one full day by boat or with bike or with motorbike and car. But there are much more than tourist sites like these in Tra Vinh. Make sure you have more time to feel and explore more about the hidden gems and the culture, food, night life, wildlife and forest as well. Top tip: Stay in a homestay nearby, so you have more chances to visit it and surroundings. If you are looking for the package Tra Vinh daily tour with local, you can contact www.vemekong.com or Hotline/WhatsApp/WeChat/Zalo +84939888559; email: hello@vemekong.com
Tra Vinh Homestays and Hotels
Cuu Long Hotel: No. 999 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Ward 7, Tra Vinh City.
Hoang Ngoc Hotel: No. 5 Le Thanh Ton, Ward 2, Tra Vinh City.
Gia Hoa Hotel 1: No. 75 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Ward 7, Tra Vinh City.
Duy Phuong Hotel: Hamlet 5, Ward 8, Tra Vinh City.
Hoa Anh Dao Hotel: Hamlet 4 Pham Ngu Lao, Ward 1, Tra Vinh city.
Duy Tung Hotel: No. 6 Dien Bien Phu, Ward 2, Tra Vinh City.
Hoan My Hotel: No. 105A Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Ward 7, Tra Vinh City.
Nhà Khách Tỉnh Trà Vinh: Just south of Tra Vinh city centre, this enormous government hotel is anonymous and “interesting”, but actually very comfortable and great value for money. Although the edifice is full of stark, echoey, empty spaces, the rooms have big windows, balconies and bathtubs. A basic buffet breakfast (very old-school) is included in the room price and so is use of the big swimming pool. 400,000-600,000vnd/night
An Khang Hotel: Simple, clean, cheap and quiet, An Khang is a typical Vietnamese motel: rooms are arranged either side of a drive-in corridor. Rooms have air-con and hot water showers. There’s no breakfast. 250,000-400,000vnd/night
Cuu Long hotel: An old-style government hotel belonging to a different decade, Khach San Cuu Long is close to the city centre and comfortable. Rooms have showers and bathtubs, windows and carpets, and breakfast in the thatched restaurant at the back is included in the price. 400,000-600,000vnd
Tra Vinh Markets, Shopping and Souvenirs
Tra Vinh Market
Tra Vinh Market is located right in the city center, the largest market is the trading hub of the whole city. Here you can buy everything you need, from personal items to food. Otherwise, you will also feel excited when witnessing the exciting, bustling atmosphere taking place among friendly and lovely Western people. This is the ideal place to end your Tra Vinh tour, where you can buy rustic gifts for friends and relatives. At Tra Vinh market, countless exclusive delicacies have become the local specialties such as coconut crumb mix up green rice, rhynchophorus ferrugineus, Xuan Thanh wine, cylindric glutinous rice cake, macerated fish stew, noodle soup bouillon broth, eel stewed creek premna, Cau Quan grilled fish, stuffed pancake, tube cake (banhong), noodle soup.
Tra Vinh Food and Drink
Tra Vinh Street Foods
Like all Mekong Delta provinces, Tra Vinh is full of great food. The region has several specialities, one of which is bún nước lèo – a fish based noodle soup with lots of extras, such as roast pork. You’ll see signs for bún nước lèo all across the province. Tra Vinh City has lots of good street food. Rather than heading to a specific place, just explore the city centre until you stumble upon a streetside stall with lots of diners. For example, there are many food stalls in front of the central market (Chợ Trà Vinh) in the evenings, and around the night market (Chợ Đêm), too. Trần Phú Nối Dài street is lined with BBQ restaurants, beer joints and cafes – great for a night out if you’re travelling with friends. The shady grid of streets in the old quarter has lots of good local cafes, some serving Vietnamese-style iced coffee, others serving hot Italian-style machine coffee. I like Coffee 89. There are a couple of big supermarkets that are useful if you want to buy food for a picnic on the road: try GO! Mart. Thanks to the large Buddhist population, vegetarian food is quite common in Tra Vinh: look for signs saying Cơm Chay or just Chay.
Dong Khoi Noodle Soup: at Dong Khoi Street, Tra Vinh, or No.4 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Tra Vinh.
Tra Vinh Hu Tieu: at Pham Thai Buong Street, Tra Vinh
Dinh Y Restaurant: at 152 Tran Quoc Tuan Street, Ward 2, Tra Vinh
Cong Cake (Banh Cong)
It’s called “Banh Cong” because people use a “Cong” to cook. A “Cong” has a long handle and looks like a small metal milk bottle. In the Mekong Delta, people still use “Cong” as a unit of measures in dealing at the market. “Cong” has many sizes: ½ “xị”, 1 “xị” (4 “xị” equal to 1 liter), ½ liter, 1 liter and the biggest size is 2-liters Cống.
Banh Cong is made with rice flour mixed with wheat flour to keep Banh Cong soft and crispy. You can use rice flour or soak rice then grind to make Banh Cong. Rice flour grinded is always better than buying rice flour from the market because it keeps the fragrant flavor. If you don’t know how to select rice flour at the market you can easily get old, moudy flour and make your cake sour and bitter.
Banh Cong is always served with sweet-sour fish sauce, lime and minced chili. Fish sauce adds more shredded cucumber, carrot and radish. Aromatic herbs are fish mint, lettuce, basil, herb mint…
Bun Nuoc Leo Tra Vinh’s Noodle Soup
Bun Nuoc Leo Tra Vinh is a kind of rice noodle/ vermicelli with soup. People call Tra Vinh noodle soup as a dish of solidarity, because the dish is the quintessential combination of Kinh – Khmer – Hoa ethnic groups, shown in each dish ingredient is typical of 3 ethnic groups. The “soul” of the broth is a blend of lemongrass, fish sauce and ngai bun – a turmeric-like tuber, slightly darker than turmeric… Read more info & pictures
Sticky Rice Cake Tra Cuon
Coming to Tra Vinh, you not only can enjoy the beautiful scenery of ancient pagodas or participate in joyful and colorful festivals with the identity of the three ethnic groups Kinh, Hoa and Khmer, visitors also enjoy delicious cakes of this place. The most special thing to mention is the Banh Tet Tra Cuon (sticky rice cake from Tra Cuon village). Tra Cuon Tet Cakes are more delicious and tasty because of the good quality ingredients that are carefully chosen, from the quality of glutinous rice for making the cakes to the variety of banana leaves for wrapping them… Read more info & pictures
Macapuno Coconut
Macapuno coconut is a specialty only in Tra Vinh, because it cannot be propagated in many other areas, that characteristic is also one of the conditions that make the price of wax coconut quite expensive.
Wax coconut appeared in the 1960s, this coconut variety is the only specialty in Tra Vinh, Mekong Delta Vietnam, which is famous for many delicious and attractive coconuts. Due to genetic mutations or climatic conditions as well as soil of this land create a strange waxy coconut variety, especially in this area of the province… Read more info & pictures
Tra Vinh Hidden Gems
Truc Lam Zen Monastery Tra Vinh
It is located in Khoan Tieu hamlet, Truong Long Hoa commune, Duyen Hai town. 50 km far from Tra Vinh city centre, in the southeast and 12 km from Duyen Hai town to the east. This is the only Zen monastery belonging to the Truc Lam sect in Tra Vinh province. Truc Lam Zen Monastery Tra Vinh holds many records among the Buddhist monasteries in Tra Vinh province. Such as the closest temple to the East Sea, all architectures closest to the ethnic traditional architecture. The largest main hall, the largest Buddha statue, the largest Avalokiteshvara statue, the largest common rose, the largest capacity auditorium, the largest yard in front of the main hall …With the traditional historical values of Truc Lam Zen, the value of the architectural arts, the value of the environmental landscape. Truc Lam Tra Vinh Zen Monastery is now a place of Buddhist pilgrimage and only spiritual tourism strongly attracts Buddhists. Tourists visit, admire the Buddha and direct their hearts to return to the heroic national roots… Read more info & pictures
Cau Ke ancient house or Huynh Ky Old House
Cau Ke ancient house located in Cau Ke towncenter, Cau Ke district. The house was built in 1924 based on design drawingsby French architects. Like many other civil houses, such old houses include themain compartment and a number of adjacent items such as gate fencing, rearhouse, barn. The main rectangular section lines toward north-south direction, 20mlong, 18m wide, blue stone-curbed ground, floor tile in varied patterns andslate tile roof… Read more info & pictures
Kampong Ksan pagoda
The newest of Tra Vinh’s Khmer pagodas is best appreciated from the other side of the river on Kho Dau. From there, the golden peaks reach into the sky reminiscent of riverside Wat Arun in Bangkok. It’s a very photogenic scene. Monks are happy for you to take a look around the gold halls when they are not being used.
Con Chim islet – Community-based Tourism
Con Chim has a natural area of 60 ha, located in the middle of Co Chien River, of which agricultural land is 34 ha and has 220 inhabitants. Visitors coming to Con Chim can enjoy the delightful view of the river landscape of the countryside and the lush green forests. Tourists can experience crab fishing activities, set shrimp and fish … and enjoy fresh seafood delicious dishes, along with rustic dishes by the local skilled chefs… Read more info & pictures
Tra Vinh History and Culture
Tra Vinh History
Tra Vinh Museum
Tra Vinh Nightlife
Tra Vinh Festivals, Sports and Outdoor Activities
Tra Vinh Health and Safety
Dos and Don’ts for Your Trip to Tra Vinh
Practical tips: Ways to save, Internet, Water, Learn a little Vietnamese and pro Tips
Ways to save:
Stay somewhere with free breakfast. Many budget hotels offer free breakfast to guests.
Eat street food. Food stalls are cheap and plentiful and are a great place to try regional specialities.
Travel by bicycle/motorbike. These two-wheeled bikes are among the cheapest ways to get around Tra Vinh and Mekong Delta region.
Stick to free attractions. If you’re really tight for cash, attractions such as markets cost nothing.
Tra Vinh group tours. If you want to see and learn as much as possible with your limited time.
Internet:
Wi-Fi can be found everywhere from hotels to coffee shops. If you are from the EU you should be able to use your own data plan too. Or contact the hotel for the sim card.
Water:
Tap water is supposed to be safe but I advise against drinking it. It’s just not worth the risk. My advice is to use bottled water and save yourself from unexpected stomach problems.
Learn a little Vietnamese:
Sure, you can get by with just speaking English, but trying to speak the local language opens you up to much more polite & meaningful interactions with people. Even if you are not perfect or you make a mistake, your effort is appreciated. At a bare minimum: Hello = xin chao (sin chow), yes = dạ vâng, no = không (khom), thank you = cám ơn (kahm uhn), I’m sorry = tôi xin lỗi (toy sin loy), no problem/you’re welcome = không có gì (khong koh zi), goodbye = tạm biệt (tarm byeet), I’m vegetarian = tôi ăn chay (toy an chayh), How much? = bao nhiêu? (baow nyew), spicy/hot (cay), Oh My God (ôi..choy…oi…).
Pro Tips:
Tra Vinh Khmer pagodas are solemn places, so you should choose beautiful clothes that are still polite and discreet. In the temple grounds, there are many animal statues such as elephants, snakes, etc. If you go with the children, please remind them not to climb because these are sacred symbols of the Khmer people.
The monks don’t ask for money, although donations won’t hurt.
If you plan to extend your tour to Tra Vinh homestay, do not forget to bring mosquito repellent cream.
Visit Tra Vinh or do any customized tours, please choose reputable providers with boat trips equipped with lifebuoys, jackets, motorcycle and cycling tours with the helmets. Safety is a priority! Choose Tra Vinh responsible tours which help you give back while traveling. It’s a cliché, but it’s true.
Tra Vinh food & drink guide ranges from street food, authentic, fancy to fusion foods. As a tropical land of many fresh vegetables and homegrown gardens, which always make Tra Vinh cuisines fresh, close to nature and very traditional. If you are a food lover, don’t hesitate to put other bites onto your food lists such as Cong Cake, Tra Cuon’s Sticky Rice Cake, Bun Nuoc Leo Tra Vinh’s Noodle Soup, Macapuno Coconut…
Bring your hat, sunglasses, and sunblock, scarf to wear when visiting temples, pagodas, and the cathedral.
Bring the raincoat if you’re planning a trip to Tra Vinh in the rainy season, as Tra Vinh always looks fantastic in the full rain and full sun.
Nowadays, there are more and more green and responsible tours which are meaningful and educational as well. This is why Can Tho noodle factory is getting popular for both Vietnamese and foreigners to come and explore the cuisine culture and the typical local life in Can Tho, Mekong Delta.
