Long Xuyen is a relatively small city in the Mekong Delta and is best known for the Long Xuyen floating market. It is also a good base for exploring An Giang, one of the most authentic and most beautiful provinces of the delta.
Long Xuyen floating market
The main reason for most travelers to visit Long Xuyen is the floating market. It is one of the least touristy floating markets in the Mekong Delta and therefore feels wonderfully local and authentic.
To see the Long Xuyen floating market at its peak, you need to get up early, because the market starts at 5 in the morning and after 9 it gets a lot quieter. The market is held on a two-kilometer stretch on the Hau River. It’s no surprise that a boat trip is the best way to visit the floating market.
The market is busiest in the early morning hours. Although not as big as the Cai Rang floating market, you can sometimes find hundreds of boats trading various local products such as fruits, vegetables, flowers and fish. It is a unique sight how boats moor against each other to negotiate about the products they sell on board.
If you are not traveling with a tour, you can negotiate a boat trip to the floating market at the pier in Long Xuyen city. You can often combine this with a follow-up trip through the small canals. Breakfast on the floating market is also possible.
5 things to do in Long Xuyen
The Long Xuyen Floating Market may be its most famous attraction, but there is plenty to do in and around the city. Fortunately, because after a visit to the market you still have a lot of time left.
1. Bang Lang Stork Sanctuary
Bang Lang Stork Sanctuary is in the same province as Can Tho city, but is actually closer to Long Xuyen. About 700,000 storks come here every year to breed and raise their young. Especially around sunrise and sunset it is an impressive sight to see thousands of storks leave their nest (morning) or come back (evening).
2. Ta Pa: Lake, temple & mountain
Around 50 km from Long Xuyen you will find Ta Pa mountain, this is one of the seven mountains in An Giang, even though it is more like a hill. In the otherwise completely flat Mekong Delta, these hills are very striking. At the bottom of the hill is the Ta Pa pagoda, that is built in the local Khmer style. From here it is about 400 meters to the top. The road to the top of the hill is quite bad and difficult, so it can only be reached by motorbike or on foot. There is also a lake next to the hill, which is not impressive in terms of size, but the jade green water and the beautiful location make it well worth a visit.
3. Tra Su
When you drive towards Chau Doc from here, you will pass Tra Su. This submerged forest has a unique biodiversity and a boat trip through the forest which is half underwater feels like you have ended up in a fairytale.
4. Palm field
Along the same roads between Ta Pa and Chau Doc, in Tri Ton and Tinh Bien district, among others, you will find the palm fields of An Giang. It is particularly popular with photographers and especially during the rice harvest season, this area is at its most beautiful.
5. Tram Chim National Park
In Tram Chim National Park you will find a similar forest to Tra Su. This park is best known as one of the best places for bird watching in Vietnam. Take a wonderful boat trip through the mangrove, water lily fields and wetlands. Along the way you can enjoy the peace and quiet and try to spot as many birds as possible, many of which are on the list of protected species.
How to get there?
Long Xuyen is easily accessible from Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho. There are direct buses from these cities.
From Ho Chi Minh City, the journey takes approximately 6 hours and the ticket price is between 90,000 VND to 150,000 VND depending on the type of vehicle.
From Can Tho you already have bus tickets from 30,000 VND. Many buses go that way and it takes just a short 30 minute ride.
Best time to visit
The rainy season takes from May to October, but the rain makes the landscape very green and beautiful. From November to April is dry season.
Accommodation in Long Xuyen
There are plenty of hotels in Long Xuyen city, but it is advisable to look for an accommodation outside the city in the countryside. Here you can enjoy beautiful views, local life and tranquility.
