The Victoria Chau Doc offers the best seat in the house for those wanting to witness every-day life on the Mekong River. Similar to its sister property in Can Tho, the hotel has an elegant low-rise French design, with colonial aspirations – the classic ‘Victoria’ template. The hotel is on the banks of the Bassac River crossing, making an ideal base from which to explore the delta region closest to Cambodia.

The wood-floored rooms are spacious and combine traditional Vietnamese handicraft with colonial charm. Most offer views directly over the river. Facilities include a health & beauty spa located on the rooftop (spectacular views!) and a swimming pool right on the banks of the river. There is also a martial arts & tai chi school, indoor games room and you can rent fishing gear and bicycles should you need.

Deep in the Mekong Delta, Chau Doc town is just over half way between the Saigon and Phnom Penh. Such proximity to Cambodia has nurtured an eclectic mix of Cham, Khmer, Chinese and Vietnamese cultures and historical richness. The journey from the Victoria to/from Phnom Penh in Cambodia takes about 4 hours by speedboat along the Mekong River. The journey to/from Saigon is 175 miles by car, which can be done reasonably quickly now that they have built bridges over the many branches of the river.