10 things You Shouldn’t Miss in Long Xuyen, Vietnam (2022)

1. Sunrise at Long Xuyen Floating Market

Compared to the more famous floating markets in its neighboring towns of Can Tho and Ben Tre, the floating market in Long Xuyen, Vietnam is more local and on a smaller scale. Because the boats are smaller, it is more peaceful and there are fewer tours operating.

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However, during our last visit we didn't see as many smaller boats trading in the early morning hours, so this floating market has evolved more of a floating village with locals living on their boats. You will find a few traders of coconuts and smaller boats selling noodles from one boat to the next. Visiting the floating market in Long Xuyen is still a great experience if you want to witness the daily life of the Vietnamese people who chose to live on a boat on the Mekong River.

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Read: Visit the Long Xuyen Floating Market

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If you decide to go, go there for sunrise and try the local noodle dish for breakfast. We booked a tour through our homestay and spent at least an hour on the boat for 9 USD per person. 

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2. Relax at Mec Coffee

After you finish your tour, head to Mec Coffee, located next to the river. This coffee shop not only gives you a great view of the river, but is like an oasis in a box. The trees and plants inside the coffee shop make this place a must-visit if you’re in need of your daily coffee or if you’re just wanting to get away from the sun. Prices are affordable and there is plenty of seating available, including a rooftop where you can view more of the floating market.

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3. Visit Long Xuyen Market

Next to the Hau River, you will find the Long Xuyen Market, the biggest market in An Giang province. It is a wholesale market that is colorful, big, and busy. Because of its location, it makes it convenient for both roads and waterways trading. Inside the market, you will find many small traders buying and selling different types of goods. While you can find the wet market outside bustling with fresh produce. 

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4. Visit the Tiger Island

The port, located next to the market, is where you can catch the ferry to Tiger Island. Contrary to its name, there are no tigers residing there; it is a lush and peaceful island in the Hau Giang river. Drive around the island and visit President Ton Duc Thang's memorial zone, beautiful gardens, and colorful local markets. We didn’t get to visit this area as we did not have time, but it’s an interesting place to see when in Long Xuyen.

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5. Canton Assembly Hall

Canton Assembly Hall is a Chinese temple in Long Xuyen and is the first Chinese assembly hall in An Giang. The beautiful and colorful exterior of the building makes it an excellent location for photography. In the morning, there are many delicious dishes available in the front. It is located next to the Long Xuyen River and is a great place to relax and enjoy the night.

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6. An Giang Museum

A visit to the An Giang Museum  is a must for history buffs. The museum contains many documents, artifacts, and images that reflect An Giang province's history, culture, and development. There are also many exhibits about the Vietnam War. As well as the Vietnamese nation's history, including Oc Eo, Cham, Khmer, and Hoa culture. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 7:30am to 11am and 1:30pm to 5:00pm. The museum is also free of charge.

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7. Watch Sunset at Nguyen Du Park

Head to Nguyen Du Park in the afternoon and walk around the lake. The park is popular among locals for hanging out and exercising. Along Le Loi Street, there are also a few food and drink stands, as well as benches for sitting around the lake. You can also go next to the river, where a woman sells drinks and provides you with a chair to sit on. We also found children fishing in the river.

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8. Have Dinner at Le Minh Nguon Street

Head to Le Minh Nguon Street for dinner and you will find rows of restaurants and street food. We recommend getting a Long Xuyen style Com Ga, which is fried broken rice with chicken. We found this delicious serving of com ga on this street corner. We enjoyed how their chicken was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, for 3 USD per serving. 

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9. Explore the Mat Village in Dinh Yen

Located along the Hau River, you will find the mat village in Dinh Yen. In this commune, 70% of the households make mats. Drive around the town and witness a whole family weaving and drying mats on the street. The village is around 35 minutes' drive from Long Xuyen and is a great day trip if you have the time. 

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10. Visit Tra Su Cajuput Forest

Tra Su Cajuput Forest is a great place to witness and explore the typical ecosystem of the Mekong Delta. It is home to a large variety of birds, and you can explore the flooded forest on a small boat. It is around a 2-hour drive from Long Xuyen and the best time to visit is in the afternoon, around sunset. 

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Read: Visit Tra Su Cajuput Forest

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When to Visit Long Xuyen

Long Xuyen is a year-round destination, and the weather varies very slightly throughout the year. But if you’re planning on visiting the neighboring areas such as Tra Su Forest or the sugar palm trees, then the best time to visit is around September to October.

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These months are the floating season in An Giang Province, which means the whole area of the forest will be flooded. You can also visit the Tri Ton area during the harvest season, from September to November, when the rice fields turn bright yellow. This creates a very dramatic and beautiful landscape along with the sugar palm trees. 

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We visited Long Xuyen in April, and we found a combination of green and yellow rice fields. Some areas in An Giang were also fully harvested, but overall, the weather was great with lots of sunshine and a little rain that did not last long. 

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Read: Best Time to Visit Vietnam

How to Get to Long Xuyen

Plane

The closest airport to Long Xuyen is located in Can Tho City. From Can Tho, you can take a bus, which takes around an hour and 15 minutes to drive. A ticket costs around 3 USD. 

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Find flight rates and availabilities here

Bus

If you’re coming from Ho Chi Minh City, you can also take a 4-hour bus ride to Long Xuyen for 7 USD.

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Book your bus here

Motorbike

For a more adventurous trip, we recommend renting a motorbike from Ho Chi Minh City. On our An Giang trip, we rented a Honda XR 150cc from Tigit Motorbikes for 25 USD per day. Visit their website for more information. 

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Tip: If you decide to ride a motorbike, make sure you have travel insurance in case of emergency. Get one now with Heymondo and get 5% off for being our reader!

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Where to Stay in Long Xuyen

Long Xuyen is a small town and everything is very convenient. There are two areas where most of the accommodations are located - My Binh Ward and My Long Ward. 

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During our visit, we stayed at La Homestay, which is located a bit further from the main town. However, it’s only about a 5-minute drive to Long Xuyen Market, and it’s in a quiet and new neighborhood. The homestay itself is new, and though the staff barely spoke English, they were attentive and helpful. The homestay also has two buildings; one with the coffee shop, and the other is a few minutes' walk away but has a common area and kitchen. Find all Long Xuyen accommodations here.

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Mid-Range

La Homestay

Mid-Range

Chau Khuong Hotel

Top Tips 

We enjoyed visiting the city of Long Xuyen in An Giang Region. To help you prepare for your trip and make the most out of your time, here are some of our top tips:  

1. The best way to get around Long Xuyen is to rent a motorbike. Drive around and discover the small alleys in Long Xuyen as you witness the lives of the locals living in stilt houses. 

2. Visit Long Xuyen Floating Market in the morning when it's cooler, as it can get unbearably hot during the day. 

3. Don’t forget your hat and wear sunscreen.

4. There are many mosquitoes at night, so bring your repellants. 

5. If you visit during the rainy season, prepare a raincoat so the rain will not stop you from exploring. Especially if you’re exploring on a motorbike.

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We hope that this guide has helped you plan your trip to Long Xuyen in Vietnam. We hope that we’ve also inspired you to visit lesser-known towns with all the great things they offer.

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Let us know if you have any questions in the comments down below!