Chau Doc
Chau Doc is a border ward of An Giang Province on the Hậu River, with Cambodia directly to its west. Visitors come for the Sam Mountain temples and the Tra Su cajuput forest.
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Chau Doc is a border ward of An Giang Province in southwestern Vietnam, on the Hậu River, a branch of the Mekong. Cambodia lies directly to its west, which makes the town a border stop for travelers heading to or from the country. Vietnamese rule reached the area in 1757. A fort built in 1789 and a new citadel built in 1831 show the town once guarded a frontier. Communal temple-houses and Chinese temples such as Quan Đế Temple are among the sights in town.
Sam Mountain rises above the flat delta, with temples on its slopes. The Tra Su cajuput forest, a drive from town, is best seen by boat, since waterways run between the trees. Water levels change through the year, so check conditions before you plan a boat trip. A night or two gives time for the mountain, the forest and a walk along the river.
Chau Doc in five
- Time Tra Su for high waterTra Su cajuput forest is best from August to November, when the water is high enough for motorized sampans to glide through the flooded canopy. Dry months show less of the forest.Best time to visit Vietnam
- Climb or ride around Sam MountainAround 200 large and small religious sites sit on its slopes. The Ba Chua Xu temple and the Cave Pagoda are the best known, and the climbing is easier early before the heat.
- Go by river if you have the timeCruises run between Can Tho and Chau Doc, and from Cambodia into Vietnam. Roads suit short trips, but the river is the memorable arrival.Can Tho travel guide
- Visit the Cham villages across the HauChau Giang and Chau Phong sit on islets across the river, with stilt houses and the Mubarak Mosque. Dress modestly and ask before photographing people.
- Order the local bun caChau Doc's turmeric-tinted fish noodle soup is made with fermented fish paste and river fish. If fermented fish is not for you, ask for a milder bowl or another noodle dish.
Things to do in Chau Doc
See all attractions in Chau Doc
Need to know
- Getting there
- About 3 hours by road from Can Tho airport; about 6 hours from Saigon
- Getting around
- Taxi, motorbike taxi, boats and bicycles
- Best base
- Chau Doc town near the river and market
- Time needed
- 1 night; 2 with the Tra Su forest
- Border
- Cambodia route by river or road
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy5 rainy daysHigh31°Low23°Dry, pleasantJanuaryPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 39 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, pleasant
- FebruaryPartly cloudy4 rainy daysHigh33°Low23°DryFebruaryPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 21 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry
- MarchPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh35°Low25°HotMarchPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 35°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 32 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
- AprilRain14 rainy daysHigh35°Low26°HottestAprilRain
Poor
- High
- 35°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 149 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hottest
- MayRain26 rainy daysHigh33°Low27°Rains beginMayRain
Poor
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 270 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains begin
- JuneRain26 rainy daysHigh32°Low26°Wet seasonJuneRain
Poor
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 253 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet season
- JulyRain26 rainy daysHigh31°Low26°Wet seasonJulyRain
Poor
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 279 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet season
- AugustRain27 rainy daysHigh32°Low26°Rising waterAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 270 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rising water
- SeptemberRain28 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°High waterSeptemberRain
Poor
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 354 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
High water
- OctoberRain28 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°High waterOctoberRain
Poor
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 413 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
High water
- NovemberRain20 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Water peaksNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 191 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Water peaks
- DecemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh31°Low23°Dry, coolerDecemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 77 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, cooler
Average daily high and low in Chau Doc, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Chau Doc
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
26
- Feels like
- 30°
- Humidity
- 91%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Chau Doc
03:37 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today31°25°100%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed32°25°90%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 90%.
- Thu32°24°89%Thursday: Rain. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 89%.
- Fri32°24°80%Friday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 80%.
- Sat31°24°83%Saturday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 83%.
- Sun32°24°98%Sunday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Mon32°24°71%Monday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 71%.
Updated 12:40 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 25,787 VND
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Tra Su cajuput foresthalf day by road and sampanA flooded forest with more than 70 bird species, best in high water.
- Cham villagesshort boat ride across the Hau RiverStilt houses, the Mubarak Mosque and weaving on two islets.
- Can Thoabout 3 hours by road, or by river cruiseThe Delta's largest city and its floating market.Read the guide
Before you go to Chau Doc
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Rules for Chau Doc, checked
- Check Vietnam's entry rules with the Immigration Department before you book, since visa exemptions and e-visa terms change.Source
- Cambodia lies directly west of Châu Đốc. For a land crossing at Vĩnh Xương, check Cambodia's visa rules and the gate's opening times before you travel.
- Declare cash above the legal limit and any fresh food, meat or plants on the arrival form. These are checked at the border.
- Remove your shoes and dress modestly before entering Đình Châu Phú, Quan Đế Temple or Hàn Lâm Temple.
Plan around Chau Doc
The Delta city a few hours downriver
Read the guideCan Tho or Ben TreChoosing a Mekong Delta base
Read the guideCan Tho in 2 daysMarket, islets and river dinner
Read the guideBen Tre travel guideCoconut islets near Saigon
Read the guideHa TienCambodia border gate and the Phu Quoc ferry
Read the guideHo Chi Minh CityThe big gateway city
Read the guideBest time to visit VietnamRainy and dry months by region
Read the guideAll of VietnamEntry, seasons, regions and money
Read the guideChau Doc FAQ
Is Chau Doc worth visiting?
Yes, as a night on a Delta route or on the way to Cambodia. It mixes Vietnamese, Chinese, Khmer and Cham communities in a small town, and Sam Mountain and Tra Su add variety. It is less useful as a stand-alone short trip.
How do you get from Ho Chi Minh City to Chau Doc?
A direct bus or car takes about six hours. Flying to Can Tho airport and driving about three hours also works. Cruises along the river from Can Tho and from Cambodia are the slower, scenic option.
When is the best time to visit Tra Su forest?
August to November, when the water is high. From November to April the weather is dry and sunny, but the flooded-canopy sampan ride is less dramatic when levels drop.
What is there to do in Chau Doc?
Climb or ride around Sam Mountain's temples, take a boat to the floating village and Cham islets, cruise Tra Su and eat bun ca in the market area. Two half days are enough for most travelers.
Can you cross to Cambodia from Chau Doc?
Yes, by river or road. The official e-visa gate list includes the Vinh Xuong land and river gate and the Tinh Bien gate in An Giang province, so e-visa holders can use either. Check your own entry rules before you book the crossing.