January
26.3°C ~ 79°F
5 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
Sam Mountain and Ba Chua Xu Temple
A sacred hill on the edge of Chau Doc, with the famous Lady Xu Temple at its base and views across the border plains.
- Location
- Chau Doc
- Time needed
- From 2 hours
- Entry fee
- 90,000 VND
- Best months
- Nov – Apr
Overview
Sam Mountain is a small hill near Chau Doc that rises out of flat rice fields. At its base is Ba Chua Xu Temple, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in southern Vietnam.
The area includes several pagodas and a cable car to the summit. The views stretch to the Cambodian border, and the temple area is most active during the Lady Xu festival in the fourth lunar month.
Highlights
- Visit Ba Chua Xu Temple, the most important temple of the Mekong Delta
- Ride the cable car or climb for views over rice fields and Cambodia
- See Tay An Pagoda and Phuoc Dien Pagoda on the slopes
- Watch pilgrims make offerings
Visitor information
| Opening hours | Temple: daily, about 6:00 – 18:00 Cable car: hours differ between guides (about 6:00 or 8:00 to 22:00 or later); confirm on the day |
|---|---|
| Entry fee | Temple free Cable car: about 90,000 VND round trip for adults, 70,000 VND for children (undated guides; online resellers charge more, so confirm at the ticket office) |
| Time needed | 2 – 3 hours |
| Best time of day | Morning, or around the Lady Xu festival (April) |
| Good for | Pilgrims, culture lovers, families |
| Accessibility | Steps at the temples; cable car for the summit |
| Facilities | Restaurants, cafes, shops, toilets, cable car |
Prices and hours can change. Check the official source before you go.
Best time to visit
Weather in Chau Doc by month.
February
27.1°C ~ 81°F
4 days of rain
Crowds: Busy
March
28.7°C ~ 84°F
5 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
April
29.2°C ~ 85°F
14 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
May
28.5°C ~ 83°F
26 days of rain
Crowds: Busy
June
27.7°C ~ 82°F
27 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
July
27.4°C ~ 81°F
27 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
August
27.6°C ~ 82°F
28 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
September
27°C ~ 81°F
29 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
October
26.7°C ~ 80°F
28 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
November
26.7°C ~ 80°F
20 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
December
26.4°C ~ 80°F
9 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
How to get there
- From Chau Doc centre
Sam Mountain is about 15 minutes from Chau Doc town by taxi, xe om or motorbike. It is on the road to Ha Tien.
- Sam Mountain and Ba Chua Xu Temple
Tips before you go
- Cover shoulders and knees
- Go in the morning for cooler weather
- Expect very large crowds during the Lady Xu festival
- Combine with Tay An Pagoda and the Tra Su forest
Location
Nui Sam, Chau Doc, An Giang
More attractions in Chau Doc
FAQs
Who is Ba Chua Xu?
She is a local goddess whose statue is housed in the temple. Pilgrims come to pray for luck, health and business.
Is the temple free to visit?
Yes, entry is free and donations are welcome.
Is the cable car worth it?
Yes if you want a view over the plains to Cambodia and do not want to climb. It is short and inexpensive, about 90,000 VND round trip in the guides found (undated; confirm at the ticket office).