Cho Gao (Mekong Delta, Vietnam)
Cruise Port schedule, live map, terminals, news
Region
Asia Rivers
Local Time
2026-10-22 11:53
89°F 31.8°C
Very Light1.2 m/s
92 °F / 34 °C 76 °F / 25 °C
Port Cho Gao cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Cho Gao, Mekong Delta, Vietnam. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.
| Day | Ship | Arrival | Departure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 March, 2027 Monday |  RV Lan Diep | ||
| 3 March, 2027 Wednesday |  RV Indochine | ||
| 5 March, 2027 Friday | RV Lan Diep | ||
| 17 March, 2027 Wednesday | RV Lan Diep | ||
| 21 March, 2027 Sunday | RV Lan Diep |
Cho Gao (translated as "Rice Market") is the capital city of Cho Gao huyen. This rural district of Tien Giang Province has a population of around 190,000 inhabitants and covers a total area of 235 km2 (91 ml2). Cho Gao is located in Vietnam's Mekong Delta region.
Best-known tourist attractions located within 5 km of Cho Gao include:
- Vinh Trang Pagoda (Buddhist temple in My Tho). Giant Buddha statues rise over the grounds of the peaceful temple around a kilometre east of the city centre, where monks maintain a sanctuary, decorated with gilded and carved wood. They provide a home for kids in need and donations are welcome. To get there, head north on Le Loi, then turn right to Nguyen Trai and cross the bridge. Turn left after 400 m to Nguyen Trung Truc. Pagoda's entrance is on the right-hand side, about 200 m from the turnoff.
- My Tho Market. Spilling out on the street facing Bao Dinh Channel, the market is a typical Vietnamese array of strange smells, exotic fruits, dried fish and doomed animals.
- Tien Giang Tourist (My Tho). This reliable boat operator offers 3-hour tours to Thoi Son and Phoenix island (95,000d per person when there is a group).
- My Tho Tourist Boat Station. In a prominent building situated on the riverfront, My Tho Tourist Boat Station shelters several tour companies that offer cruises to neighbouring islands and via the labyrinth of tiny canals. Depending on what passengers book, destinations often include an orchid garden, coconut-candy workshop and honey farm (don't miss the chance to try the banana wine).
- Night Market (in My Tho). Plonked in front of a floating restaurant, the popular spot packs in diners come evening, with a host of fish stalls and lively hotpot.
Chợ Gạo is usually a scenic cruising passage rather than a conventional port call. River ships travel through the narrow, busy Chợ Gạo Canal between Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta, but passengers normally remain aboard. Unless the ship’s daily program specifically confirms a landing, do not plan independent sightseeing ashore.
At a Glance
- Typical experience: Scenic canal transit from the ship.
- Dock or tender: No standard cruise terminal or regular passenger landing should be assumed.
- Independent sightseeing: Limited and generally not recommended unless the cruise operator confirms an organized stop.
- Main attraction: Close-up views of working boats, barges and everyday life along the canal banks.
What to Expect During the Canal Passage
The approximately 29 km (18.0 mi) canal is a major commercial waterway. From an open deck, passengers can watch cargo barges, ferries, riverside houses, small workshops, temples, gardens and local activity at unusually close range.
Transit times vary with traffic, navigation conditions and the ship’s schedule. Ask the cruise director the previous evening when the vessel is expected to enter the canal, as some passages take place early in the morning.
Best Way to Spend the Call
Watch the Canal from the Ship
Allow two to three hours for relaxed viewing, although the most interesting section may be shorter. A shaded open deck is preferable in the heat. The view changes frequently as the canal bends, so neither side of the ship is consistently better.
Join Only a Confirmed Ship Program
If the itinerary specifically includes a Chợ Gạo village or market visit, use the transport and landing arrangements provided by the cruise operator. Local landing places may be simple, and paths can be narrow or uneven. Confirm the amount of walking and accessibility with ship staff.
Save Shore Exploration for the Next Scheduled Stop
Many itineraries continue from Chợ Gạo to an actual landing in Bến Tre, Mỹ Tho or elsewhere in the Mekong Delta. Sampan trips, fruit orchards, craft workshops and village visits commonly promoted for the region usually take place at those named stops, not during the canal transit itself.
Independent Walking
No self-guided walking route is recommended. There is no dependable passenger exit, taxi point or cruise terminal, and a map entry for Chợ Gạo does not confirm that the ship will permit passengers ashore. Do not arrange a private pickup unless the cruise line has confirmed the exact landing place and available shore time.
Practical Tips
- Check the daily program for the wording “cruise through” or “canal passage”; this normally means there is no disembarkation.
- Keep a camera ready, but photograph residents respectfully and avoid obstructing crew areas.
- Use sun protection and remain in shaded deck areas when possible.
- Do not confuse attractions in Mỹ Tho or Bến Tre with places accessible directly from Chợ Gạo Canal.
- If an operator-specific landing is offered, follow the ship’s stated return time and allow for boarding procedures.