An Giang Province

Along with Long Xuyên City, Châu Đốc is one of the two biggest capitals of An Giang Province that obtains a strategic topographic position directing the economic development of the Mekong Delta. Châu Đốc is known to own an international frontier, Tịnh Biên, with […]

Along with Long Xuyên City, Châu Đốc is one of the two biggest capitals of An Giang Province that obtains a strategic topographic position directing the economic development of the Mekong Delta. Châu Đốc is known to own an international frontier, Tịnh Biên, with Cambodia. To Mekong dwellers, Châu Đốc is a “Holy Land” for pilgrimage travelers with an iconic landmark of Sam Mountain Complex and the Tutelary Goddess Temple (Miếu Bà Chúa Xứ). Today, far more than these two symbols have lit up the tourism potential of the locality, along with fantastic Khmer-influenced values in terms of cuisine and culture.

When should you visit Châu Đốc in a year?

From May to October each year, Châu Đốc welcomes heavy rainfall, whilst the season in between August and November, flooding season hits the land and turns it into a dream-like “Venice” of the Mekong Delta. Visiting Châu Đốc during this time would be fantastic to observe the true vibe of the native daily life, given the fact that flooding and rain are not negative obstacles you have got to face off.  Châu Đốc in the rest of the year is hot and sunny, yet its temperature is definitely not a bad challenge.

Where should you pay a visit?

• Tây An Ancient Pagoda sitting at the foot of the sacred Sam Mountain and has been around since 1847. Contemplating the site will give you a mind-blowing architecture of Islamic-Hinduism outlook.
• Thoại Ngọc Hầu Mausoleum is also found in the same area.
• The sacred Sam Mountain Complex is able to offer you a local open market where authentic delicacies and exotic food is found.
• Miếu Bà Chúa Xứ (Tutelary Goddess Temple)
• Cave Pagoda

Other than those, you can choose to make a short trip around Tịnh Biên Duty-free Market which is located right close by the Cambodia border. Most of the items and products displayed at the market are duty-free, which is absolutely ideal for shopaholic visitors. Regarding what type of exotic Châu Đốc food you are thinking about, do not forget to look for Palmyra sugar, which is regularly seen in a small soap or cubes. Châu Đốc, in another way, is known as a connecting passageway for well-off Vietnamese gamblers in Cambodia since the act of gambling is totally against the law.

Châu Đốc – Land of the long-founded culture and rituals

Even though born as an abandoned wetland of the Khmer Empire, the Mekong Delta soon then underwent a massive renovation and development dating back 300 years ago with the expansion of Đại Nam (former Vietnam) under the rule of Nguyễn Lords. Having a local guide when visiting Châu Đốc during the ceremony of the Tutelary Goddess and get to know a colorful festival as well as a history-rich story. This traditional land of Châu Đốc had printed the footstep and marked a special dedication of Vietnamese heroes such as Nguyễn Hữu Cảnh, Nguyễn Văn Thoại, and the list goes on. Trotting around this off-beat city should be the worst lack ever if not having a local companion along.