Getting There
Contact a tour agent in Ho Chi Minh City. Chau Doc is 285km (177 miles) southwest of Saigon, and the all-day bus ride combines visits to other hamlets in the delta, boat trips, and lunch stops -- it's a fun, full day.
Local buses -- if you're lucky -- leave and arrive from the busy station a few kilometers north of town on Le Loi (connect by motorbike taxi for about 15,000 VND/$1/£0.55). Daily service runs between Chau Doc and the delta, and direct buses (kind of direct) go to Ho Chi Minh City. There's no bus company name. When you approach the station, among the usual tout circus, look for the good air-conditioned minibuses run by small private operators. The trip to Ho Chi Minh should cost about 50,000 VND ($3.35/£1.85).
Boats from Chau Doc to Phnom Penh (and vice versa) leave at 7am, arriving at 4:30pm, and cost $8 (£4.45) (plus $26/£14 for a Cambodian visa). Contact any local tour operator in Saigon, make arrangements with tour operators in Chau Doc, or, coming from Cambodia, with Capitol Tours in Phnom Penh.
Visitor Information & Tours
Should you be crossing over from Cambodia and looking for onward connection by cafe bus, tiny Mekong Tours (14 Nguyen Huu Canh, near the central market; tel. 076/868-222; www.mekongvietnam.com) runs a terrible guesthouse but offers good tours and bus connections to other parts of the delta or with Saigon.
Fast Facts
Banks & Currency Exchange -- There are a few small banks in little Chau Doc, but your best bet for currency exchange is at the Victoria Hotel. Best to bring enough money for on-tour incidentals (usually few) and carry a few U.S. dollars if you're coming from Cambodia.
Internet -- On the post-office grounds, find Diem Truy Cap, a small Internet storefront with rather slow service at 3,000 VND (20¢/£0.10) per hour. In the center of town near the market, try Saigon Net at 40 Nguyen Van Thoai (tel. 076/868-706), with similar service.
Post Office -- The main branch is at 73 Le Loi St. (tel. 076/867-900), just adjacent to the large riverside park. The main office is open from 6am to 10pm.
Chau Doc Travel Experiences
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Chau Doc - Eerste stop in Vietnam
Na Cambodja ben ik wel toe aan wat opbeurende cultuur en zo vertrek ik rond een uur of 7 in de ochtend richting Vietnam. Het gr... Continue reading »
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Day 138: Saigon – My Tho - Cai Be
Our main concern about the Mekong cruise we’re today embarking was what the rest of the guests would be like, particularly their age. How... Continue reading »
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Chau Doc to Cambodia
We arrived in Chau Doc on the minibus from Cantho, to be met by the usual Cyclo ambush. "20,000 Dong, one person", said the grinning cycl... Continue reading »
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On the road with Steve and Elvis
Cambodia has the best water bottles. Instead of names that evoke rushing mountain springs, they have people names. Like Steve and Rose. E... Continue reading »
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Day 140: Chau Doc – Phnom Penh
This morning we board another boat for today’s 5 hour excursion, this one being an odd mix of traditional wooden boat but with leather ai... Continue reading »
