Best Time to Visit Chau Doc: Your Guide to An Giang’s Mekong Delta Charm

A Vibrant Blend of Culture and Nature in the Mekong Delta

An Giang Province, nestled in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, is a captivating destination renowned for its multicultural heritage, scenic waterways, and iconic attractions like Chau Doc’s floating markets and Ba Chua Xu Temple. With the merger of Kien Giang into An Giang Province, coastal gems like Ha Tien (95 km from Chau Doc) enhance its appeal. An Giang’s tropical monsoon climate (dry season: November–April, 24–32°C or 75.2–89.6°F; rainy season: May–October, 26–36°C or 78.8–96.8°F) supports lush rice fields, palm groves, and abundant seafood, making it ideal for culinary and eco-tourism. From vibrant festivals to serene boat tours, An Giang offers unforgettable experiences year-round, best explored through sustainable travel options.

Legend Travel Group, a sustainable tourism leader since 2008, offers eco-friendly tours to An Giang, using electric boats and bicycles to explore Chau Doc while preserving the environment. Contact us at WhatsApp: +84825862222 or email: sales@legendtravelgroup.com to book your journey.

Administrative Note

Use “Chau Doc, An Giang Province” or “Long Xuyen, An Giang Province” for navigation. Key hubs include Chau Doc (250 km from Ho Chi Minh City), Long Xuyen (An Giang’s administrative center, 193 km from Ho Chi Minh City), and Ha Tien (Kien Giang ward, 95 km from Chau Doc). The merger of Kien Giang into An Giang Province, effective July 1, 2025, enhances regional connectivity.

With 17 years of expertise, Legend Travel Group serves 20,000 travelers annually across Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar, prioritizing sustainable tourism. Our An Giang tours feature eco-friendly transport, English-speaking guides with deep local knowledge, and partnerships with communities to preserve cultural heritage. Enjoy transparent pricing, free cancellations up to 48 hours prior, and 24/7 support. Book through this guide for a responsible, immersive experience that supports An Giang’s green tourism vision, aligning with Vietnam’s sustainable tourism goals.

An Giang, like other Mekong Delta provinces, experiences a tropical monsoon climate with two distinct seasons:

• Dry Season (November–April): Warm and sunny with temperatures of 24–32°C (75.2–89.6°F) and low humidity (70–80%). Ideal for outdoor activities and festivals, with clear skies enhancing scenic beauty.

• Rainy Season (May–October): Hot and humid with temperatures of 26–36°C (78.8–96.8°F) and frequent rain (1–2 hours daily). The flood season (August–November) transforms waterways, boosting floating markets and lush landscapes. Annual average temperature is around 27°C (80.6°F), supporting year-round travel.

Each season in An Giang offers unique experiences, from cultural festivals to flood-season adventures. Below are the optimal times to visit Chau Doc and Long Xuyen, tailored for sustainable exploration.

November–April (Dry Season, 24–32°C or 75.2–89.6°F)

• Why Visit: Clear skies, pleasant breezes, and moderate temperatures make this the peak season for exploring markets, temples, and historical sites. Ideal for cultural festivals and comfortable outdoor activities.

• Highlights:

  • Festivals:

    • Ba Chua Xu Festival (4th lunar month, typically April/May, 10,000+ visitors): Held at Ba Chua Xu Temple in Chau Doc, this vibrant festival features pilgrimages, traditional music, and food stalls like Tung Lo Mo (beef sausage, $2–$6 or 50,000–150,000 VND). Book accommodations 2–4 weeks ahead.

    • Chol Chnam Thmay (mid-April, 1,000+ visitors): Cham and Khmer New Year with culinary demos and cultural performances in Chau Doc and Tri Ton.

    • Southern Traditional Cake Festival (April, 5,000+ visitors): Showcases An Giang specialties like Banh Phong Phu My at Long Xuyen.

  • Activities: Visit Chau Doc Floating Market (5 km from city center, $5–$25 or 125,000–625,000 VND for boat tours) for vibrant trade and Bun Ca Chau Doc ($2–$5 or 50,000–125,000 VND). Explore Tra Su Melaleuca Forest (30 km from Chau Doc, $8–$20 or 200,000–500,000 VND) for birdwatching. Cycle to Cham villages like Chau Phong (7 km, $2–$6 or 50,000–150,000 VND for bike rental).

  • Crowds: Moderate (100–300 daily visitors at markets), peaking during festivals.

• Pros: Ideal weather, vibrant cultural events, fewer mosquitoes.

• Cons: Higher accommodation costs (up to 50% more during festivals); book 1–2 weeks ahead for hotels and tours.

May–October (Rainy Season, 26–36°C or 78.8–96.8°F)

• Why Visit: The flood season (August–November) brings lush landscapes, abundant fish, and unique floating village experiences. Fewer crowds (50–200 daily visitors) and lower hotel prices make it budget-friendly.

• Highlights:

  • Floating Season: August–November is ideal for Chau Doc Floating Market and Long Xuyen Floating Market, with high water levels creating a green carpet of duckweed and lotus flowers. Taste seasonal dishes like Canh Chua Ca Loc (sour soup, $3–$10 or 75,000–250,000 VND).

  • Fruit Season: June–August offers ripe mangoes, star-apples, and guavas at Chau Doc Market ($0.50–$2/kg or 12,500–50,000 VND).

  • Khmer Cow Racing Festival (8th lunar month, typically late September, 2,000+ visitors): Held in Tri Ton (40 km from Chau Doc), featuring traditional races and Cham cuisine. Book 1–2 weeks ahead.

  • Oc Eo – Ba The Relic (25 km from Chau Doc, $2–$10 or 50,000–250,000 VND for tours): Explore Phu Nam Kingdom artifacts in a lush setting.

• Pros: Lush scenery, fewer tourists, lower costs (e.g., homestays $12–$20/night or 300,000–500,000 VND).

• Cons: Heavy rain (1–2 hours daily), requiring rain gear ($3–$6 or 75,000–150,000 VND); check for typhoons (June–December).

Best Overall Times

• February–May: Perfect for cultural festivals, mild weather, and temple visits.

• August–November: Ideal for floating markets, flood-season scenery, and budget travel.

• Timing Tip: Visit markets early (6:00–8:00 AM) for fresh produce; afternoons for workshops or temple tours; evenings (5:00–8:00 PM) for cultural events.

• Chau Doc:

  • Chau Doc Floating Market (5 km from city center, $5–$25 or 125,000–625,000 VND for boat tours): Lively trade, best at dawn (6:00–8:00 AM). Try Bun Ca Chau Doc ($2–$5 or 50,000–125,000 VND).

  • Ba Chua Xu Temple (6 km, free entry): UNESCO-recognized spiritual site, vibrant during April/May festivals.

  • Chau Phong Weaving Village (7 km via ferry, $5–$15 or 125,000–375,000 VND for tours): Learn Cham brocade weaving and taste Tung Lo Mo ($2–$6 or 50,000–150,000 VND).

  • Sam Mountain (6 km, $1–$2 or 25,000–50,000 VND for gondola): Scenic views, visit Hang Pagoda.

• Long Xuyen:

  • Long Xuyen Floating Market (2 km via O Moi ferry, $5–$25 or 125,000–625,000 VND): Sample Com Tam Long Xuyen ($2–$6 or 50,000–150,000 VND).

  • An Giang Museum (2 km, free entry): Explore colonial and war history.

  • Long Xuyen Cathedral (2 km, free entry): Modern landmark seating 1,000.

• Tri Ton:

  • Tra Su Melaleuca Forest (25 km from Tri Ton, $8–$20 or 200,000–500,000 VND): Biodiverse reserve, best August–November.

  • Oc Eo – Ba The Relic (15 km from Tri Ton, $2–$10 or 50,000–250,000 VND): UNESCO-nominated Phu Nam Kingdom site.

• Ha Tien (Kien Giang ward):

  • Ha Tien Night Market (95 km from Chau Doc, $0.50–$1 or 12,500–25,000 VND parking): Taste Banh Xeo (crispy pancakes, $1–$3 or 25,000–75,000 VND).

  • Mui Nai Beach (5 km from Ha Tien, $1–$2 or 25,000–50,000 VND entry): Coastal relaxation.

• Budget Homestays:

  • Chau Doc Eco Homestay (Nguyen Van Thoai, Chau Doc): $12–$25/night (300,000–625,000 VND), eco-friendly with home-cooked meals.

  • Long Xuyen Eco Homestay (Tran Hung Dao, Long Xuyen): $12–$25/night (300,000–625,000 VND), near floating market.

• Mid-Range Hotels:

  • Chau Doc Riverside Hotel (12 Nguyen Van Thoai, Chau Doc): $30–$50/night (750,000–1,250,000 VND), river views.

  • Chau Khuong Hotel (88 Nguyen Van Thoai, Long Xuyen): $30–$50/night (750,000–1,250,000 VND), central location.

• Luxury Hotels:

  • Victoria Chau Doc Hotel (1 Le Loi, Chau Doc): $60–$100/night (1,500,000–2,500,000 VND), riverfront with pool and Bassac Restaurant.

• Tip: Book 1–2 weeks ahead for dry season; 2–4 weeks for festivals. Homestays offer sustainable stays with local hosts.

• Chau Doc:

  • Chau Doc Riverside Eatery (5 km from market, 12 Nguyen Van Thoai): Bun Ca Chau Doc ($2–$5 or 50,000–125,000 VND).

  • Bay Bong Cafe (1 km from market, Le Loi Street): Vietnamese coffee ($0.50–$1 or 12,500–25,000 VND).

• Long Xuyen:

  • Long Xuyen Riverside Restaurant (2 km from market, Tran Hung Dao): Com Tam Long Xuyen ($2–$6 or 50,000–150,000 VND).

  • Mekong Cafe (1 km from cathedral, Nguyen Hue): Smoothies ($1–$2 or 25,000–50,000 VND).

• Tri Ton:

  • Tri Ton Riverside Eatery (near market, Provincial Road 948): Chao Bo Tri Ton ($2–$5 or 50,000–125,000 VND).

• Ha Tien:

  • Ha Tien Night Market Eatery (Tran Hau Street): Seafood dishes ($3–$8 or 75,000–200,000 VND).

• Bicycle Rental: $2–$6/day (50,000–150,000 VND), sustainable for Chau Doc or Long Xuyen.

• Motorbike Rental: $3–$7/day (75,000–175,000 VND), ideal for rural areas like Tri Ton (40 km). Requires International Driving Permit.

• Cyclo: $1–$4/hour (25,000–100,000 VND), traditional and eco-friendly.

• Xanh SM Electric Taxi: $0.50–$1/km (12,500–25,000 VND), sustainable for inter-city travel.

• Public Bus: $0.50–$1 (12,500–25,000 VND) for urban routes.

• Boat Tours: $5–$25 (125,000–625,000 VND) for floating markets.

• Tip: Book rentals or taxis 1–2 days ahead; use Tìm Buýt app for bus schedules.

• Timing: Plan around festivals (April/May for Ba Chua Xu, September for Cow Racing) for cultural immersion, or August–November for floating season. Markets are busiest at dawn (6:00–8:00 AM, 50–300 visitors).

• Booking: Reserve accommodations and tours 1–2 weeks ahead for dry season; 2–4 weeks for festivals. Legend Travel Group tours need 24–48 hours’ notice.

• Sustainability: Use reusable totes for market purchases; support artisans with buys like mam (fish paste, $2–$5 or 50,000–125,000 VND). Choose bicycles or electric taxis for low emissions.

• Navigation: Save “Chau Doc Market, An Giang Province” or “Long Xuyen Market, An Giang Province” in offline maps (Maps.me). Write destinations in Vietnamese (e.g., “Chợ Châu Đốc”).

• Safety: Secure valuables in crowded markets (use money belts, $2–$5 or 50,000–125,000 VND); check for typhoons (June–December). Visit Chau Doc General Hospital (Le Loi Street) or dial 113 for emergencies.

• Cultural Respect: Greet with “xin chào”; dress modestly in Cham and Khmer villages (long sleeves, no shorts); ask permission before photographing locals.

Discover An Giang with our eco-friendly tour packages:

• An Giang Cultural Adventure ($90–$130/person, 1 day): Explore Chau Doc Market, taste Bun Ca Chau Doc, and visit Ba Chua Xu Temple. Includes guide, eco-transport, meals.

• An Giang Food & Culture Immersion ($170–$230/person, 2 days): Discover Chau Doc Floating Market, Cham villages, and eco-homestays. Includes meals, guide, eco-transport.

• Mekong Delta Eco-Explorer ($420–$580/person, 4 days): Visit Tra Su Melaleuca Forest, Long Xuyen Floating Market, and more with boat and bike tours. Includes meals, eco-transport.

• Prices include guides, eco-transport, fees. 15% off for groups of 8+! Book now for an unforgettable journey.

Chau Doc and Long Xuyen in An Giang, a Mekong Delta gem, shine brightest from November to April for vibrant festivals and clear skies, or August to November for lush floating markets. From cultural events like Ba Chua Xu Festival to the scenic Tra Su Melaleuca Forest, each season offers unique experiences. Legend Travel Group’s eco-friendly Chau Doc Tours guide you through this multicultural paradise, ensuring a sustainable Chau Doc Travel experience that supports local communities and preserves An Giang’s environment. Don’t miss out—browse our featured tours and book your eco-tour today to explore this vibrant hub!
Ready to visit Chau Doc and experience its vibrant culture? Reserve your eco-tour with Legend Travel Group and embark on an unforgettable Mekong Delta adventure!

Author Bio: Written by Tony Bùi at Legend Travel Group, with over 20 years of experience in the travel industry, guiding 100,000+ travellers across Southeast Asia. This guide draws from firsthand insights and guest feedback from Legend Travel Group surveys.