Long Xuyên Travel Guide
City City in An Giang Province, Vietnam
Long Xuyên sits on the Hau River; tourists come for floating markets, river ferries, rice paddies, lively fish stalls, and nearby Cambodian border towns. Boat trips reveal Mekong Delta life and grilled freshwater fish.
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Why Visit Long Xuyên? #
Set on the banks of the Hậu River, Long Xuyên is a Mekong Delta hub where river life, Khmer and Cham cultural influences, and fiery southern flavors meet. Explore floating markets and riverside communities, taste the region’s signature bún mắm and other seafood dishes, and visit nearby natural highlights such as Tra Su Cajuput Forest. The city serves as a low-key gateway to An Giang’s pagodas, seasonal birdwatching and hands-on market experiences.
Who's Long Xuyên For?
Long Xuyên is a Mekong Delta food town-market stalls at Chợ Long Xuyên serve fresh river fish, bún cá and grilled river prawns. Street vendors and small riverside restaurants make for cheap, memorable meals.
Use Long Xuyên as a base for boat trips to Trà Sư cajuput forest and riverine channels of the Bassac; early‑morning boat rides and birdwatching trips are popular day trips from the city.
This provincial capital has a relaxed, safe atmosphere with riverfront promenades and community parks. Local markets and modest hospitals give families practical day‑to‑day life, plus easy bus links to nearby attractions.
Long Xuyên is inexpensive with basic guesthouses, plentiful bus connections to Chau Đốc and Cần Thơ, and cheap street food-good for budget travelers moving around the Mekong Delta rather than extended stays.
Best Things to Do in Long Xuyên
All Attractions ›
Long Xuyên Bucket List
- Chợ Long Xuyên (Long Xuyên Market) - Bustling central market selling fresh Mekong produce, baked goods, and lunchtime specialties.
- Nhà thờ Chánh tòa Long Xuyên (Long Xuyên Cathedral) - French-era cathedral near the city center with colorful stained glass and calm atmosphere.
- Bảo tàng An Giang (An Giang Museum) - Small provincial museum explaining local Cham, Khmer, and Vietnamese history and artifacts.
- Chợ đêm Long Xuyên (Long Xuyên Night Market) - Evening street-food rows and snack stalls popular with locals after sundown.
- Bến phà Long Xuyên (Long Xuyên Ferry Pier) - Small ferry pier where locals take short river trips and watch daily river traffic.
- Rừng Tràm Trà Sư (Tra Su Cajuput Forest) - Boat trails through flooded cajuput forest teeming with birds; best during high water.
- Núi Sam (Sam Mountain), Châu Đốc - Hilltop pilgrimage complex with Tay An Pagoda and sweeping views across rice fields.
- Chợ nổi Cái Răng (Cái Răng Floating Market), Cần Thơ - Early-morning floating market reachable from Long Xuyên, lively boat trade and breakfast specialties.
- Kênh Vĩnh Tế (Vĩnh Tế Canal) - Historic canal and scenic riverside villages built in the 19th century.
Plan Your Visit to Long Xuyên #
Best Time to Visit Long Xuyên #
Best time to visit Long Xuyên is during the dry months from November to April, when canals are more navigable and humidity is lower. From May to October the monsoon brings heavy rains and very green, flooded scenery, which can complicate travel.
Best Time to Visit Long Xuyên #
Long Xuyên's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 22°C to 34°C. Abundant rainfall (1426 mm/year), wettest in October with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 22°C. Almost no rain and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is hot, feeling like 28°C. The driest month with just 3 mm and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is hot, feeling like 30°C. Almost no rain and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is the hottest month, feeling like 32°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is hot, feeling like 33°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (183 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is hot, feeling like 33°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (149 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is hot, feeling like 33°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (187 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is hot, feeling like 32°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (178 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is hot, feeling like 32°C with oppressive humidity. Heavy rain (215 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is hot, feeling like 32°C with oppressive humidity. The wettest month with heavy rain (265 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is hot, feeling like 30°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (138 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 23°C. Moderate rainfall (31 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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How to Get to Long Xuyên
Long Xuyên is best reached by road from Can Tho (nearest airport) or by longer coach services from Ho Chi Minh City. Can Tho International Airport (VCA) gives the shortest transfer; Tan Son Nhat (SGN) is the main international arrival point with frequent bus connections to the Mekong Delta.
Can Tho International Airport (VCA): Can Tho is the closest airport to Long Xuyên (about 55-70 km by road). From VCA you can catch a shared minibus or shuttle to Long Xuyên (typical fare ~80,000-120,000 VND; journey ~1-1.5 hours) or take a taxi/private transfer (roughly 500,000-800,000 VND; ~60-90 minutes depending on traffic).
Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN): Ho Chi Minh City’s airport is the main international gateway for the region. From SGN travel to Long Xuyên is most often by bus or coach from Mien Tay Bus Station (Bến xe Miền Tây) - expect 4-5 hours and fares around 120,000-200,000 VND on intercity coaches; a private car transfer will be substantially more (roughly 1,200,000-1,800,000 VND and ~4-5 hours).
Train: There is no railway service into Long Xuyên or the western Mekong Delta; the nearest major station is Saigon Railway Station (Ga Sài Gòn) in Ho Chi Minh City. If you arrive by train to Sài Gòn you’ll need to transfer to Mien Tay Bus Station (Bến xe Miền Tây) and take an interprovincial coach to Long Xuyên (see bus paragraph) - coaches from the HCMC area take about 4-5 hours and cost roughly 120,000-200,000 VND.
Bus: Long Xuyên is well connected by intercity buses. Major operators (for example Phuong Trang/FUTA and regional coach lines) run routes to Bến xe Long Xuyên from Can Tho and Ho Chi Minh City. From Can Tho the trip is short (about 1-1.5 hours; fares around 40,000-100,000 VND); from HCMC’s Mien Tay Bus Station expect 4-5 hours and fares around 120,000-200,000 VND. Buses arrive at Bến xe Long Xuyên (Long Xuyên Bus Station) in town.
How to Get Around Long Xuyên
Long Xuyên is a small, road-connected city best navigated by bus for intercity travel and by motorbike or taxi for local trips. For short visits the city centre is walkable, but renting a motorbike or using xe ôm gives the most flexibility for exploring nearby rural areas and markets.
- Intercity buses (coaches) (40,000-200,000 VND) - Interprovincial coaches are the main way to reach and leave Long Xuyên. Operators such as Phuong Trang (FUTA) and other regional lines run regular services to Bến xe Long Xuyên from Can Tho and from Bến xe Miền Tây in Ho Chi Minh City. Buses range from basic to more comfortable sleeper/seated coaches; book ahead for weekend travel and expect reliable schedules on the main routes.
- Taxis & ride-hailing (50,000-1,800,000 VND) - Metered taxis operate in Long Xuyên and are useful for door-to-door trips; short city rides typically cost 50,000-150,000 VND. Ride‑hailing apps (Grab) operate intermittently in the wider Mekong Delta-availability can be much better closer to Can Tho and HCMC, so don't rely on them late at night. For longer intercity private cars expect several hundred thousand to over a million VND depending on distance.
- Motorbike taxi (Xe ôm) & GrabBike (10,000-50,000 VND) - Xe ôm (motorbike taxis) are the quickest way to navigate short distances or to reach spots not well served by cars. Typical city fares are 10,000-50,000 VND depending on distance; use local drivers for short hops and agree a price up front if there's no meter. GrabBike may be available at times, but coverage is less consistent than in larger cities.
- Motorbike rental (120,000-250,000 VND/day) - Renting a motorbike is a convenient way to explore the surrounding countryside and markets at your own pace. Daily rental rates are commonly 120,000-250,000 VND; check the bike thoroughly, carry your passport/ID as a deposit, and be prepared for hot, humid conditions and local riding styles.
- Bicycle & cyclo (30,000-100,000 VND/day) - Short-term bicycle rental and the occasional cyclo (pedicab) are available near market areas and make for relaxed short trips around the central wards. Cycling is pleasant early morning or late afternoon, but midday heat and busy junctions can make longer rides tiring. Prices are low-typically a few tens of thousands of VND for a half- or full-day rental.
- Walking - The central parts of Long Xuyên are compact and easy to explore on foot; markets, riverside areas and many eateries are walkable from the bus station. Bring sun protection and water-humidity and traffic can make longer walks uncomfortable.
Where to Stay in Long Xuyên #
Where to Eat in Long Xuyên #
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Long Xuyên's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Long Xuyên #
Long Xuyên’s nights are relaxed and centered along the riverfront and street-food spots; the city doesn’t have a club scene, but its night markets and riverside cafés are lively after sunset. Expect grilled skewers, bánh xèo and local khổ qua stalls paired with chilled beer - a very social, informal atmosphere.
Practical tips: the night market and riverside promenades are pedestrian-friendly; bring insect repellent, bargain politely at food stalls, and avoid poorly lit side streets.
Best Bets
- Long Xuyên night market - Street-food stalls and snack vendors clustered after dark.
- Hồ Ông's riverfront promenade - Riverside cafés and simple bars good for sipping and people-watching.
- City centre (near Ho Chi Minh Square) - Local pubs and cafés with casual late-night crowds.
- Local food streets - Street vendors serve grilled specialties and sweet treats late.
- Late-night coffee shops - Quiet spots for tea or ca phe while the city winds down.
- Châu Đốc (nearby) - Short trip for more bustling markets and riverfront nightlife.
Shopping in Long Xuyên #
Long Xuyên is the provincial capital of An Giang and a Mekong Delta market town: bustling wet markets, small specialty shops and riverside stalls dominate the shopping scene. You’ll find fresh river fish, local rice products, herbs and inexpensive clothing; bargaining is expected in markets. For tourist-style goods, look for local specialty stalls and weekend night-market clusters.
Best Bets
- Chợ Long Xuyên (Long Xuyên Market) - Central wet market for fish, produce and everyday goods.
- Chợ đêm Long Xuyên (Night Market) - Evening stalls with street food, clothes and small souvenirs.
- Specialty food shops (khô cá, local sweets) - Shops selling dried fish, local candies and riverbank produce.
- Artisan stalls near the riverside - Local crafts and woven goods from the surrounding countryside.
- Supermarkets and mini-marts - Convenient for packaged goods and domestic brands.
- Main shopping streets (Lê Lợi / Trần Hưng Đạo) - Shops, tailors and affordable clothing along main avenues.
