Cham Mountain, Chau Doc - review by Rusty Compass
Mekong Chau Doc | see and do guide

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Cham Mountain, Chau Doc

| 11 Apr 2014
Our rating
11 Apr 2014

Sam Mountain is a mountain to look from rather than at. It's the tallest mountain the Mekong Delta - but that's not saying much. Its modesty as a mountain is more than compensated by the wonderful views from its peak though - especially the wet season sunsets. For Vietnamese it's also an important place of Buddhist pilgrimage.

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Sam Mountain is 6kms from Chau Doc - easily reached by bicycle or motorcycle taxi. The sunsets are a high point of a visit - especially in the wet season - so try and time your visit for late afternoon.

Three of the main pagodas, the destinations for pilgrims, are located on the  northern side of the mountain. These see a steady flow of local visitors and become very crowded during lunar calendar events and Buddhist festivals like Tet. You'll likely move through these pretty quickly.

You can access the top of the mountain from the other side - the same road used to access the Victoria Nui Sam hotel. The Victoria is passed half way up and is a good spot if you'd like a civilised drink while watching sunset. Otherwise, head up to the top passing another new pagoda, an old French era villa and an old fortress that is still in use.

Mark Bowyer
Mark Bowyer is the founder and publisher of Rusty Compass.
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