An Giang reveals itself through a variety of landscapes and stories: flooded forests and lagoons sit alongside archaeological sites, Cham handicrafts and local food culture. The Trà Sư Cajeput Forest covers more than 845 hectares and is a distinctive wetland forest in the western Hậu River region. Visitors can take a motorized Tac Rang boat through the flooded forest, which is home to more than 70 bird species. Both the waterscape and the birdlife are defining natural features of the region.
U Minh Thượng National Park covers more than 21,000 hectares, including a 8,038-hectare core zone. On Phú Quốc Island, Phú Quốc National Park spans 31,422 hectares—about 70 percent of the island—and is home to more than 470 plant species. Another waterscape is Đông Hồ: the saltwater lagoon covers 1,384.36 hectares and is connected to the Giang Thành River, the Rạch Giá–Hà Tiên Canal, and the West Sea, or Gulf of Thailand. The different areas and landscapes give nature enthusiasts several specific points of interest to explore.
Archaeological traces and historic sites
The Óc Eo–Ba Thê archaeological site is a complex of four connected components: Ba Thê Mountain, the ancient city of Óc Eo, Giồng Xoài and Nền Chùa. Finds at the site show that it was a major economic, cultural and trading center in Southeast Asia in the first centuries of the Common Era. The components make clear that the archaeological landscape extends beyond a single location.
The ancient Canal 16 is also part of this account of historic sites. It is also known as Lung Giếng Đá or Lung Lớn, and ran through the ancient port city of Óc Eo from Tráp Đá via Nền Chùa, continuing on to Rạch Giá Bay. The traditional place names and the canal’s course add to the picture of Óc Eo as an ancient port and trading center.
Other historic sites include Chùa Hang–Hòn Phụ Tử within the Hòn Chông scenic site. In 1989, Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism designated it a national monument. Bình San Mountain, also called Núi Lăng, is about 50 meters high. It is home to the tomb of Mạc Cửu, as well as the tombs of his relatives and generals from the Mạc family.
Handicrafts, community and cuisine
The traditional Cham brocade-weaving village in Châu Phong was recognized by An Giang Province under its criteria for small-scale craft villages. Another cultural tradition is the Bảy Núi Ox Racing Festival: this unique provincial-level sporting and cultural event is recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage. Together, these represent different forms of local cultural heritage: handicrafts and a public sporting event.
The floating village of Châu Đốc is a 50-year-old fishing community on the Hậu River. Its houses are built on rafts and also serve as fish farms. Local dishes in Châu Đốc include Bún Cá Bông Điên Điển, Bánh Bò Thốt Nốt and Lẩu Mắm. Fish sauce production also shapes the local food culture: production in Núi Sam and Châu Phú A forms a nationally renowned fish sauce market in Châu Đốc.
Seasons and getting to Châu Đốc
Châu Đốc has a rainy season from May to October and a dry season from November to April; the weather varies from year to year. From Cần Thơ Airport, it takes about three hours to reach Châu Đốc by car. For those interested in outdoor activities, trekking at Núi Cấm is described as a sporting activity.
Discover more destinations: Chau Doc, Thua Thien-Hue, Da Nang, Vinh Long, Ninh Thuan, Ninh Bình, Sóc Trăng, Dong Nai.
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