Chau Doc (Mekong Delta, Vietnam)

Chau Doc is a Mekong River cruise port in Vietnam, bordering Cambodia. The city is in the Mekong Delta region and is part of the An Giang Province. Chau Doc city has population of around 160,000 and covers an area of 105 km2 (41 ml2).

Chau Doc is located by Hau River (a branch of Mekong River) and the Vinh Te Canal. It is approx 250 km (160 ml) west of Vietnam's capital Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), or approx 6 hours travel by bus. The city is most famous for the huge variety of fish sauces, mainly "mam tai" (kind of anchovy). The local economy is based on tourism and basa catfish export. The city is a major trading center due to its close proximity to the border with Cambodia.

Among city's best-known tourist attractions are the Phưoc Dien Temple (an official historic monument) and the Victoria Chau Doc Hotel. The Sam Mountain is located at about 7 km (4,5 ml) to the north. As a tourist destination, the mountain is considered a pilgrimage site for its numerous temples and shrines, including the Ba Chua Xu temple. A popular attraction is Tuc Dup Hill. There the US forces during the Vietnam War (aka Resistance War Against America, 1955-1975) failed to stop the small-scale Viet Cong insurgencies in the Mekong Delta. Another popular among tourists attraction is the Tra Su Bird Sanctuary. It has a 23 m (75 ft) high watchtower for observation of the reserve and the surrounding countryside.

Like most river areas in Vietnam, Chau Doc features a floating market that expands from the river bank and along the city's main streets. The market offers a huge variety of locally made merchandise (including fresh produce, hand-made embroidery, hawk handicrafts, antiques), as well as goods imported from Cambodia and Thailand. However, most "floating shops" sell fruits and vegetables.

A must-do in Chau Doc are the boat tours. To hire a boat, cruise along Bassac River (towards Victoria Hotel). This premium hotel itself is a leisure destination, featuring a rooftop panoramic spa (open 9 am - 9 pm) for exotic massages. As a shore excursion option (via private boat tours roundtrip from Chau Doc) can be visited Long Khanh Island. The itinerary also features passing the Vĩnh Te Canal and visiting Tra Su Cajuput Forest (ecological park).