Getting around - Local transport

There are many kinds of local transports in Vietnam at different prices. 

Bus
The bus systems in Hanoi and HCMC have improved in the past few years but are light years behind
Hong Kong and Bangkok and, in general, buses are not a practical way to get around town. Fortunately there
are many other fast and economical options, such as meter taxis, cycles and motorbike taxis.
 
Cyclo
The cycle (xich lo), from the French cyclo-pousse, is the best invention since sliced bread. Cycles offer
cheap and environmentally friendly transportation around Vietnam's sprawling cities.
 
Groups of cyclo drivers always hang out near major hotels and markets, and many speak at least broken
English. To make sure the driver understands where you want to go, it's useful to bring a city map.
Bargaining is imperative. Settle on a fare before going anywhere or you're likely to get stiffed.
 
As a basic rule, short rides around town should cost about 5000d. For a longer ride or a night ride,
expect to pay double that or more. It pays to have the exact change when taking a cyclo, as drivers may
claim they don't have change. Cycles are cheaper by time rather than distance. A typical price is US$1 per
hour.
 
There have been many stories of travellers being mugged by their cycio drivers in HCMC so, as a
general rule of thumb, hire cyclos only during the day. When leaving a bar late at night, take a meter taxi.
 
Taxi
Western-style taxis with meters, found in most major cities, are very, very cheap by international
standards and a safe way to travel around at night. Average tarifts are about 10,000d per kilometre.
 
Xe dap loi & Xe loi
The two forms of transport used mostly in the Mekong Delta are the xe dap loi, which is a wagon pulled
by a bicycle, and the xe loi, a wagon pulled by a motorbike.
 
Xe lam
Xe lam are tiny, three-wheeled trucks used for short-haul passenger and freight transport (similar to the
Indonesian bajaj). They tend to have whining two-stroke “lawn mower” engines with no mufflers and emu
copious quantities of blue exhaust smoke.
 
Xe om
The xe om (zay-ohm) is a motorbike that carries one passenger, like a two-wheeled taxi. Xe means
motorbike, and om means hug (or hold), so you probably get the picture. Getting around by xe om is easy as
long as you don't have a lot of luggage.
  
Fares are comparable with those for a 5 cyclo, but negotiate the price beforehand. There are plenty of xe
om drivers hanging around street corners, markets, hotels and bus stations. They will find you before you
find them.
Source Lonely Planet

As with everywhere else in the Delta region, boats play a major role in transportation, and
there are an incredbible variety of water-transport options available. The Mekong Delta is
also an exceptionally flat region, which makes walking and cycling pleasant options for
getting around, although the midday summer heat may discourage some from these
options.
Can Tho is the largest city in the Mekong Delta, and as such is a major transport hub for
the region.
Transportation in Chau Doc
Chau Doc is one of the main entry points from Vietnam to Cambodia, and, along with Long
Xuyen, one of the key regional centres of the An Giang province. As such, there are a
number of different transportation options, both to other cities within Vietnam, and also
over the border into Cambodia.

Using the ferry to cross into Cambodia is quite an experience!

This Chau Doc Transportation Guide gives some background information about getting
to and from the city, along with Long Xuyen, and also getting around within the two places.
You can also use the local transportation options to get to Nui Sam. General Vietnam
travel information can be found by visiting our Vietnam Transportation Guide.

Chau Doc Transportation Guide

Getting There & Away

Car / Motorbike

The bus station is located on Le Loi St., southwest of the town. A regular bus line runs
from Chau Doc to Ho Chi Minh City's Mien Tay station (about 6-7 hours), which includes
two ferry crossings. There are also buses from Chau Doc to Long Xuyen (1.5 hours), Can
Tho, and other destinations throughout the Mekong Delta. Unfortunately, there is no direct
road from Chau Doc to Ha Tien. To get there by car involves a drive of about 8 hours via
Rach Gia, or else by boat ferry along the canal. The journey via ferry is about 8 hours, and
they run daily.

Chau Doc is located 96km from Ha Tien, 117km from Can Tho, 179km from My Tho and
245km from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

Boats / Ferries

Boats across the Hau Giang River to Chau Giang District leave from two separate docks.
The vehicle ferries depart from Chau Giang Ferry Terminal, which is located at 419 Le Loi
St. Meanwhile, the smaller, more frequent passenger ferries depart from FB Phu Hiep
Ferry.

Visit our partner Air Valid for Airline Reviews and Information about Vietnam.
Flights to Vietnam

Getting Around

Xe Dap Loi

Xe Dap Loi drivers will take you anywhere, and are the best, quickest and cheapest way of
getting around. You should have no problem finding them - they'll find you! Be sure to
negotiate a price before starting your journey.

Can Tho is a regional hub, so it is rather easy to get to and from all the surrounding
provinces.

← by bus or minibus, from the bus station, now located at the crossroads of Nguyen
Trai (Nguyễn Trãi) and CMT8 (Cách Mạng Tháng 8), but soon to be relocated to 91B
3/2 (Chín mươi mốt B Ba tháng hai)
← by boat, there are rather affordable services of speedboat
← by xe lôi
← on foot (đi bộ)