Châu Đốc and Trà Sư Forest 2 Day Itinerary: A Complete Guide

A two-day itinerary is the ideal duration to visit Châu Đốc and Trà Sư forest from Hồ Chí Minh City. This timeframe allows you to explore the cajuput forest by boat and visit Sam Mountain without rushing the six-hour road transfer. On day one, travel from Hồ Chí Minh City to Châu Đốc, arriving by early afternoon. Spend your afternoon visiting Miếu Bà Chúa Xứ at the foot of Sam Mountain (Núi Sam). On day two, take a morning trip to Trà Sư forest, located about 30 kilometers from the town center. After the forest tour, return to Hồ Chí Minh City or continue to the Cambodian border. This schedule balances travel time with sightseeing.

Trà Sư cajuput forest is located in Tịnh Biên District, approximately 30 kilometers south of Châu Đốc town. The most reliable way to reach the forest is by renting a private car or hiring a local taxi from your hotel. Motorbike rentals are also available in town for independent travelers. The drive takes around 45 minutes along National Highway 91 and Provincial Road 948. Once at the forest entrance, you must purchase a ticket to board a motorized wooden boat (vỏ lãi). This boat takes you deep into the reserve, where you transfer to a smaller hand-rowed sampan. The sampan glides through green duckweed under the canopy of cajuput trees.

Traveling to this part of the Mekong Delta is highly affordable. Public bus tickets from Hồ Chí Minh City to Châu Đốc cost from $8 (approximate) per person one way. Entrance fees to Trà Sư forest, which include the boat rides, start from $8 (approximate) per visitor. Local meals, including the regional specialty bún cá Châu Đốc (fish noodle soup), cost from $2 (approximate) per bowl. Mid-range hotel rooms in Châu Đốc town range from $25 (approximate) per night. For a fully organized private tour with transport and guides, contact Trip2VN to get a quote.

The best time to visit Trà Sư forest is during the high-water season, which typically runs from September to November. During these months, water covers the forest floor, and green duckweed forms a thick carpet across the canals. Wild birds gather in large numbers, making it the best period for wildlife viewing. If you visit during the dry season from December to August, water levels are lower, and some areas may lack the green duckweed cover. To experience the forest at its quietest, arrive at the pier between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM before tour groups arrive.