Chau Doc 2026: Sam Mountain, Tra Su Forest & Border Town

Chau Doc (Châu Đốc) is a border town on the Hau River in An Giang province, about 250 km west of Saigon near Cambodia. It is famous for Sam Mountain and the Ba Chua Xu Temple, whose festival UNESCO inscribed in 2024, the flooded Tra Su cajuput forest 20 km away, floating fish-farm houses and Cham villages. Temples are free; Tra Su costs about 120,000 VND.

Status (checked October 2026): open as normal. October–November is the high-water season, the best time for Tra Su forest (open daily about 6:30–18:30). Chau Doc remains in An Giang province, which merged with Kien Giang in 2025 (provincial centre now Rach Gia). The Ba Chua Xu festival falls in the fourth lunar month (May–June), when the town is extremely crowded.

Why Chau Doc is worth seeing:

Sam Mountain: temples, pagodas and sunset views over rice fields towards Cambodia.
Ba Chua Xu Temple: the south’s great pilgrimage site; its festival is UNESCO-listed (2024).
Tra Su cajuput forest: boats through a flooded forest carpeted with green duckweed and full of birds.
Floating houses and fish farms: catfish raised beneath homes on the Hau River.
Four cultures: Vietnamese, Cham, Khmer and Chinese communities side by side.

Chau Doc at a Glance

Vietnamese name	Châu Đốc; Núi Sam (Sam Mountain); Miếu Bà Chúa Xứ
Location	Hau (Bassac) River at the Vinh Te canal; Chau Doc ward, An Giang province
Distance	About 250 km from Ho Chi Minh City; about 3 hours by road from Can Tho; Sam Mountain 5–7 km from the centre
Known for	Sam Mountain, Ba Chua Xu Temple, Tra Su forest, floating fish farms, mắm (fermented fish)
Recognition	Festival of Ba Chua Xu Goddess at Sam Mountain: UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (2024)
Opening hours	Ba Chua Xu Temple: open daily from early morning to late evening; Tra Su: about 6:30–18:30
Entrance fee	Temples free; Tra Su about 120,000 VND (combo with boats about 240,000 VND)
Time needed	1–2 nights
Best time	September–November for Tra Su; December–April for dry weather
Nearby	Can Tho, Cam Mountain, Phnom Penh by boat
Find it	Google Maps · Tripadvisor (Ba Chua Xu) · Tripadvisor (Tra Su) · UNESCO · Wikipedia

Is Chau Doc Worth Visiting?

Yes, for travellers with three days or more in the Mekong Delta. Chau Doc feels different from the coconut country near Saigon: hills rise from the plain, mosques and Khmer pagodas stand near Vietnamese temples, and the river leads to Cambodia. It is also the natural last stop before taking the boat to Phnom Penh.

Best for: culture lovers, photographers, birdwatchers and overland travellers heading to Cambodia.
Skip if: you have only one or two days; focus on My Tho, Ben Tre and Can Tho.
Short on time: Tra Su at dawn, Ba Chua Xu Temple and sunset on Sam Mountain.

History of Chau Doc

Chau Doc came under Vietnamese control around the 17th–18th centuries and became a frontier garrison facing Cambodia. Its most famous builder was the mandarin Thoai Ngoc Hau, who in the early 19th century supervised the digging of the Vinh Te canal, linking Chau Doc to Ha Tien along the border; his tomb stands at the foot of Sam Mountain.

The worship of Ba Chua Xu, the Lady of the Realm, grew around a stone statue found on Sam Mountain, and her temple became the most important pilgrimage site in the south. On 4 December 2024, UNESCO inscribed the Festival of Ba Chua Xu Goddess at Sam Mountain on its Representative List. Chau Doc was a provincial city until 2025, when district levels were abolished and An Giang merged with Kien Giang.

What to See in Chau Doc

1. Ba Chua Xu Temple

At the foot of Sam Mountain, this colourful temple with green-tiled roofs houses the statue of the Lady of the Realm, dressed in rich robes. Pilgrims come year-round to pray for luck and business success; the main festival runs from the 22nd to the 27th day of the fourth lunar month.

2. Sam Mountain

Rising about 284 m from the rice plain, Sam Mountain is dotted with pagodas, shrines and lookouts. Climb or ride up the road for sunset views over rice fields and the Vinh Te canal towards Cambodia.

3. Tay An Pagoda

Dating from 1847, Tay An mixes Vietnamese and Indian-influenced architecture, with domes and hundreds of statues; it sits opposite Ba Chua Xu Temple.

4. Thoai Ngoc Hau Tomb

The stone tomb of the official who dug the Vinh Te canal lies on the slope of Sam Mountain, with a small temple dedicated to him and his wives.

5. Tra Su Cajuput Forest

About 20 km from town, this protected melaleuca (cajuput) forest of around 850 hectares is home to more than 70 bird species. Motorboats and rowing boats glide along channels covered with bright green duckweed; it is at its best in the flood season.

6. Floating houses and fish farms

Along the Hau River, families live in floating houses with catfish cages beneath the floor. A boat trip lets you see feeding time and daily life on the water.

Floating houses and boats on the Bassac River at Chau Doc — Floating houses line the Bassac River at Chau Doc. Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

7. Cham villages and mosques

Across the river, Cham Muslim communities keep stilt houses, mosques with white domes and traditional weaving. Visit respectfully, with arms and legs covered.

8. Chau Doc market and mắm

The town market is famous for mắm, fish fermented with salt and palm sugar in dozens of varieties, and for bún cá, a fragrant fish noodle soup.

Tickets and Opening Hours (2026)

Place	Price	Hours
Ba Chua Xu Temple	Free	Daily, early morning to late evening
Tay An Pagoda, Thoai Ngoc Hau Tomb	Free	Daily, daytime
Tra Su forest entry	About 120,000 VND (children under 1.3 m free)	About 6:30–18:30
Tra Su motorboat / rowing boat	About 70,000 VND each; combo with entry about 240,000 VND	About 6:30–18:30
Floating houses boat trip	Priced per boat	Daytime

Tra Su prices are set by the forest’s management (late-2025 figures) and may change; confirm at the gate.

Rules and Etiquette

Dress modestly at temples, pagodas and mosques; remove shoes where asked.
At Ba Chua Xu Temple, ignore touts pressing offerings or “lucky” items at inflated prices.
In Tra Su, do not feed or disturb birds and keep noise low.
During the festival, guard valuables in the crowds.

How to Get to Chau Doc

From	How	Time
Ho Chi Minh City	Sleeper or seated bus from Mien Tay bus station; private car	About 5–6 hours
Can Tho	Bus or private car	About 3 hours
Phnom Penh	Speedboat on the Mekong via the Vinh Xuong border	Several hours, including border formalities
Chau Doc centre	Taxi or motorbike to Sam Mountain / Tra Su	10–15 / about 30 minutes

Compare routes in our Mekong Delta transportation guide.

Best Time to Visit Chau Doc

When	What to expect
September – November	Flood season: Tra Su at its greenest, rice fields under water
December – April	Dry, sunny, comfortable for Sam Mountain
4th lunar month (May–June)	Ba Chua Xu festival: spectacular but very crowded; book rooms early
Time of day	Tra Su at 6:30–8:30 or late afternoon; Sam Mountain for sunset

Local Expert Tips for Chau Doc

These tips come from years of arranging Mekong Delta tours for international travellers.

Go to Tra Su at opening time: light, birds and calm water are best before 8:30.
Stay two nights: the drive from Saigon is long, so give yourself a full day here.
Book festival rooms months ahead if you travel in the fourth lunar month.
Arrange your Cambodian visa early if you take the boat to Phnom Penh.
Try mắm carefully: it is strong; start with a mild variety.
Read our Mekong Delta travel tips before you go.

Chau Doc vs Can Tho

Feature	Chau Doc	Can Tho
Distance from Saigon	About 250 km	About 170 km
Highlights	Sam Mountain, Tra Su forest, Cham villages	Cai Rang floating market, Ninh Kieu Wharf
Atmosphere	Frontier town, multicultural, spiritual	Modern city, river life
Best for	3+ day trips, onward to Cambodia	2-day trips

Our view: on a short trip choose Can Tho; with three days or more, add Chau Doc for its landscapes and cultures.

Nearby Attractions

Cam Mountain (Tinh Bien): at about 705 m, the tallest peak in the Mekong Delta, with a giant Maitreya Buddha statue.
Can Tho: the Cai Rang floating market.
Vinh Long: orchards and homestays on An Binh island.
Cai Be: church and old houses on the way back to Saigon.

Mekong Delta for First-Time Visitors: Where Chau Doc Fits

Three days? Saigon – Cai Be or Vinh Long – Can Tho (Cai Rang at dawn) – Chau Doc, then back to Saigon or on by boat to Phnom Penh. Our Mekong Delta day trip guide compares the shorter routes, and where to stay in the Mekong Delta covers hotels and homestays.

Plan your trip with our Mekong Delta travel guide and Mekong Delta tours. Contact Vietnam Tour Expert Team for a free custom itinerary.

Frequently Asked Questions about Chau Doc

1. Where is Chau Doc?

Chau Doc is on the Hau (Bassac) River in An Giang province, close to the Cambodian border, about 250 km west of Ho Chi Minh City.

2. How far is Chau Doc from Saigon and Can Tho?

Chau Doc is about 250 km from Saigon (roughly 5–6 hours by road) and about 3 hours by road from Can Tho.

3. What is Chau Doc famous for?

Chau Doc is famous for Sam Mountain and the Ba Chua Xu Temple, the Tra Su cajuput forest, floating fish-farm houses, Cham villages and its fermented fish (mắm).

4. How high is Sam Mountain in Chau Doc?

Sam Mountain near Chau Doc rises about 284 m above the flat delta plain, and the summit has views across rice fields towards Cambodia.

5. Is the Ba Chua Xu festival in Chau Doc a UNESCO heritage?

Yes. The Festival of Ba Chua Xu Goddess at Sam Mountain in Chau Doc was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on 4 December 2024.

6. When is the Ba Chua Xu festival in Chau Doc?

The main Ba Chua Xu festival in Chau Doc runs from the 22nd to the 27th day of the fourth lunar month, usually in May or June, and draws huge crowds.

7. How far is Tra Su forest from Chau Doc?

Tra Su cajuput forest is about 20 km from Chau Doc, roughly 30 minutes by car.

8. How much is the Tra Su forest ticket near Chau Doc?

In late 2025 Tra Su forest near Chau Doc charged about 120,000 VND entry, with a combo including motorboat and rowing boat at about 240,000 VND; check prices on arrival.

9. When is the best time to visit Tra Su forest near Chau Doc?

The best time for Tra Su forest near Chau Doc is the high-water season from about September to November, when the forest is flooded and green; go early morning or late afternoon.

10. Can I take a boat from Chau Doc to Phnom Penh?

Yes. Speedboats run from Chau Doc up the Mekong to Phnom Penh via the Vinh Xuong border crossing; arrange a Cambodian visa or e-visa in advance.

11. Which province is Chau Doc in after 2025?

Chau Doc remains in An Giang province, which merged with Kien Giang in 2025; the provincial centre is now Rach Gia.

12. How many days do I need in Chau Doc?

One full day covers Sam Mountain, Tra Su and the river in Chau Doc; two nights allow Cam Mountain and a relaxed boat trip.

13. Are there Cham villages near Chau Doc?

Yes. Cham Muslim communities live across the river from Chau Doc, with mosques, stilt houses and traditional weaving.

14. What should I eat in Chau Doc?

In Chau Doc try mắm (fermented fish) dishes, bún cá fish noodle soup and palm-sugar sweets from the Khmer areas; see our Mekong Delta food guide.

15. What is the dress code at Ba Chua Xu Temple in Chau Doc?

Dress modestly at Ba Chua Xu Temple in Chau Doc, with shoulders and knees covered, and avoid buying from touts selling offerings at inflated prices.

16. Is Chau Doc worth visiting?

Yes, if you have three days or more in the Mekong Delta: Chau Doc mixes Vietnamese, Cham, Khmer and Chinese cultures and has scenery unlike the rest of the delta.