1. Where is Chau Phong Cham Village?
Chau Phong Cham Village is located in Tan Chau Town, An Giang Province, Vietnam. It is about 5 km north of Chau Doc center, about 106 km from Rach Gia center. And about 242 km southwest of Ho Chi Minh City.
2. How is Chau Phong Cham village unique?
Located on the banks of the poetic Hau River, Chau Phong Cham village is an attractive destination. This place preserves the unique cultural features of the Cham community. When you come here, you will experience a cultural space imbued with national identity. With traditional stilt houses, ancient mosques and sophisticated handicrafts,…
- Stilt house architecture: The Cham people in Chau Phong still maintain a traditional lifestyle with wooden stilt houses and yin-yang tiled roofs. Stilt house architecture not only adapts to natural conditions but also has deep spiritual meaning.
- Mubarak Mosque: This is one of the oldest and most beautiful mosques in the Southwest of Vietnam. With unique architecture, imbued with Cham style, Mubarak Mosque is a must-see when visiting Cham village.
- Brocade weaving: The traditional brocade weaving of the Cham people in Chau Phong is still preserved and developed. Therefore, you can visit the weaving workshops, learn about the process of creating sophisticated, colorful brocades.
- Typical cuisine: When coming to Chau Phong Cham village, do not forget to enjoy the specialties here. Such as: Ni rice, gingerbread, banana sweet soup… with delicious, rich flavors.
3. History of formation and development of Chau Phong Cham village
There are many hypotheses about the origin of the Cham community here. Some documents say that the Cham people in Chau Phong originated from the ancient Champa kingdom. When the war broke out, they migrated to Kampong Cham (Cambodia) and then settled in An Giang around the 17th century.
In addition, another view is that this group of Cham people came from the central coastal region of Vietnam. They migrated to An Giang to support Lord Nguyen in the war against the Champa army in 1699.
Regardless of their origin, the Cham people in Chau Phong have been attached to this land for a long time. Therefore, they created a unique cultural community. It has contributed to enriching the diverse picture of Vietnamese culture.
4. When is the best time to visit Chau Phong Cham village?
According to the travel experience of An Giang tourists who have been here. You can visit Chau Phong Cham village at any time of the year. However, the ideal time to travel here is during the dry season, from October to April of the following year. During this time, the weather is dry, sunny, the air is fresh and pleasant. It is convenient for traveling, sightseeing, exploring and participating in other interesting outdoor activities.
In addition, because the Cham people follow a completely different religion from the Vietnamese. Therefore, to learn about their culture, you can choose to come during major festivals, such as:
- Roja is held on December 10 according to the Islamic calendar.
- Ramadan (also known as the fasting festival). It lasts from September 1 to September 30 of the Islamic calendar.
- The birthday of Prophet Muhammad is celebrated on March 12th of the Islamic calendar.
Immersing yourself in the festival atmosphere will be the simplest way for you to understand more about Cham culture. Moreover, the festive atmosphere is bustling and exciting with many interesting things waiting for you to discover.
5. How to get to Chau Phong Cham village?
Chau Phong Cham village is only one river away from Chau Doc center. With a distance of 5km by road (takes more than 20 minutes to travel) and 3.5km by river (takes more than 15 minutes to travel). Starting from Chau Doc city center. Traveling to Chau Phong Cham village will choose one of these two forms. Specifically:
If traveling by road: you can use a car or motorbike to go to Chau Giang ferry. It is about 3km from Chau Doc city center. Here, you will wait for the ferry to go to Chau Phong commune of Tan Chau town. When crossing the ferry, you go more than 1km to Chau Phong Cham village.
By river: you will go to Chau Doc intersection (about 500m from Victoria hotel) or at Chau Giang ferry on the other side of Chau Doc city to rent a boat. Boat rental prices at each location will have many different levels, depending on where your trip goes and how many people go. However, one thing you can rest assured is that the price is relatively cheap and very reasonable. This is the form that is most loved and chosen by many tourists.
6. Some interesting activities and experiences when visiting Chau Phong Cham village
When visiting Chau Phong Cham village, you will not only admire the unique religious architecture. But also have the opportunity to experience daily life and immerse yourself in a cultural space imbued with national identity.
6.1 Visiting Mubarak Mosque
Mubarak Mosque is an important center of belief and community activities of the Muslim Cham people in Chau Phong. Moreover, this religious architectural work impresses with its majestic and splendid beauty. With domes, high towers and sophisticated decorative motifs.
In particular, inside the mosque is a solemn and quiet space. It creates a sense of peace for you when you come here. In addition, you can also learn about the history, architecture and religious activities of the Cham people here.
6.2 Exploring traditional stilt houses
When walking in the village, you will encounter unique wooden stilt houses. It has the traditional architectural features of the Cham people. These stilt houses are often built high and airy. Suitable for the climate conditions and customs of the Cham people.
In addition, you can chat with local people. To learn about the construction, living space arrangement and characteristics of the Cham people’s housing culture.
6.3 Learning about brocade weaving
The traditional brocade weaving profession is still preserved and developed in Chau Phong Cham village. When visiting the weaving facilities, you will witness the process of creating beautiful brocades. From choosing fibers, dyeing to weaving with a manual loom.
Therefore, do not forget to buy sophisticated brocade products. Such as: scarves, bags, clothes, … as souvenirs for the trip.
6.4 Immersing yourself in daily life
Chau Phong Cham village gives you the opportunity to experience the simple life of local people. In addition, you can participate in community activities, learn about customs and traditional festivals. As well as enjoy typical Cham dishes.
6.5 “Virtual life” with a background rich in Cham culture
- Chau Phong Cham Village is not only a unique cultural discovery destination. It is also a place to create extremely cool “virtual life” photos.
- Mubarak Mosque: The dome architecture, high towers and sophisticated patterns are the perfect background. You can pose in front of the mosque gate, on the stairs or by the windows.
- Traditional stilt houses: Rustic wooden stilt houses, rich in Cham culture, are also an ideal background.
- Brocade weaving workshop: Record the moment you are weaving, learn about the process of creating beautiful brocades.
- Cham costumes: Rent traditional Cham costumes for unique, colorful photos.
7. Enjoying specialties when visiting Chau Phong Cham village
Nị rice and ca pua are two famous specialties of Chau Phong Cham village that you must try when you have the opportunity to come here.
- Nị rice: people cook rice with milk and add raisins to enhance the flavor.
- Cà pua: this is a dish using beef processed with many ingredients. Such as: wine, ginger, curry, peanuts, coconut milk, … It brings an irresistible uniqueness to Cham cuisine.
Although it has a relatively elaborate cooking method, just one time enjoying the dish of Nị rice – ca pua. You can feel the sweet and fatty taste of milk, the rich aroma of peanuts. Or the salty and sweet taste of beef and the spicy taste of chili. Therefore, you will never forget this attractive and strange dish. Don’t forget to experience it.
8. Accommodation when traveling to Chau Phong Cham village
When visiting this unique village, you can refer to some of the accommodations below:
- Hero Hostel & Billiards. Address: 5A Tran Nguyen Han Street, Chau Doc Ward, An Giang Province.
- Paris Hotel Chau Doc. Address: 227 Nguyen Tri Phuong Street, Chau Doc Ward, An Giang Province.
- Little Saigon Hostel. Address: 190 Bo Tay Street, Chau Doc Ward, An Giang Province.
- Victoria Nui Sam Lodge. Address: Hamlet Vinh Dong 1, Nui Sam Ward, Chau Doc City, An Giang Province.
- Victoria Chau Doc Hotel. Address: 1 Le Loi, Chau Phu B Ward, Chau Doc City, An Giang Province.
- Ha Long Chau Doc Hotel. Address: Nui Sam Ward, Chau Doc, An Giang.
- Dong Nam Hotel. Address: Tan Lo Kieu Luong, Hamlet 8, Chau Doc, An Giang.
Chau Phong Cham Village is an attractive destination where you can explore the unique cultural beauty of the Cham people. As well as having interesting experiences here. Join Origin Vietnam – a professional tour operator. We will accompany you on the Vietnam tour to visit this unique village. When you come here, you will feel the friendliness and hospitality of the people in this peaceful land.
