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LONG XUYEN |
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The dull town of LONG XUYEN , 60km northwest of Can Tho, is of
interest only as a transport hub and location at the junction of the two
main routes to the delta's northwestern corner. If you do need to while
away a few hours, you could visit the birthplace of Ton Duc Thang,
successor to Ho Chi Minh as president of the Democratic Republic of
Vietnam, on My Hoa Hung Island (Tues-Sun 7.30-11am & 1-5pm). The An
Giang Museum (Tues & Thurs 8-10.30am, Sat & Sun 8-10.30am & 2-4pm; $1),
at 77 Thoai Ngoc Hau, also displays artefacts from the ancient port of
Oc Eo.
Buses from Can Tho and Chau Doc stop a few hundred metres south of town,
on Tran Hung Dao - coming from Chau Doc, yell for the driver to stop as
you pass the cathedral. From Sa Dec and Cao Lanh you'll reach town via
the An Hoa ferry at the end of Ly Thai To; services from Ho Chi Minh
City come either through Can Tho or - more usually - Cao Lanh, and pick
up passengers for the return journey at either the ferry terminal, or
the intersection of Tran Hung Dao and Hung Vuong - express buses to Chau
Doc also pass through here. Passenger/cargo boats for Sa Dec, Chau Doc,
Rach Gia and Choi Moi depart from Long Xuyen's other ferry station, east
of the bridge on Le Thi Nhieu - enquire locally for times and costs.
Vietcombank, 1 Hung Vuong, changes travellers' cheques - something none
of Chau Doc's banks do yet.
The best place to stay are the cheap and cheery rooms at the An Long
(076/843298; under $10). If full, its neighbour, the family-run Thoai
Chau 2, 283a Tran Hung Dao (tel 076/843882; under $15) is also a good
bet. Pleasant and good-value rooms are found at the An Giang, 40 Hai Ba
Trung (tel 076/841297; $5-15), the Xuan Phuong, 68 Nguyen Trai (tel
076/841041; $5-15) or the smart and central Long Xuyen (tel 076/841927;
$5-15). When it's time to eat , the spotless com shops Tiem Com Huynh
Lai on 252/1 Nguyen Trai and the nearby Thang Loi come recommended for
their tasty, cheap rice and pho dishes.
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