Long Xuyên sits on the Hậu River in the Mekong Delta, a working city built around a market, a busy docking station and a network of canals that cut through the streets. It is a place of river traffic, street food and everyday Delta life rather than a polished tourist town.
For a visitor, the useful thing to know is that the city spreads across a set of wards, with the commercial centre and the riverfront close together and the rural communes of Mỹ Hòa Hưng and Mỹ Khánh lying out beyond the built-up area. This guide covers which parts of the city make sense as a base, and what kind of accommodation you will find at each budget level.
Best areas to stay in Long Xuyên
1. Around Co-op Mart and the city centre
This is the practical heart of Long Xuyên, with the main shopping and commercial activity and the biggest concentration of places to sleep. It suits first-time visitors and anyone who wants to be within walking distance of food, shops and the riverfront rather than relying on transport for every errand.
You will find the larger hotels here, including the biggest in town, alongside smaller places on the surrounding streets. Staying near Co-op Mart puts you close to the centre of things, and the market and docking area in the middle of the city are within easy reach.
2. Near the big new church
The area around the large new church is a quieter, more residential base while still being connected to the rest of the city. It suits budget travellers and anyone who prefers a calmer street to come back to at the end of the day.
This is where you find simple guesthouse-style accommodation, including fan rooms at the cheapest end of the market. It is a good choice if your priority is a low nightly rate and you do not mind being a short ride from the commercial centre.
3. Mỹ Hòa Hưng (Tiger Island)
Mỹ Hòa Hưng is a rural commune on the river, reached from the city across the water. It suits travellers who want a slower, more rural stay and do not mind being outside the built-up wards.
This is the island associated with the celebrations for former president Tôn Đức Thắng's birthday, so it has a life of its own beyond the city centre. Expect a village setting rather than a hotel district, and plan on crossing into the city for shopping, transport connections and most dining.
4. Mỹ Khánh
Mỹ Khánh is the other rural commune within the city's boundaries, sitting away from the central wards. It suits visitors who specifically want a countryside base in the Delta and are arranging their own transport.
Like Mỹ Hòa Hưng, this is not a hotel area in the conventional sense, and you should treat it as a rural stay rather than a convenient city base. If your days are built around the market, the riverfront and the centre, staying in the central wards will save you time.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: fan rooms in simple guesthouses, and nhà trọ — the general term for a room for rent. These are very cheap, but the standard is basic and best suited to travellers who want to live like a local student.
- Mid-range: the established city hotels, including the larger properties near the commercial centre, with private rooms and on-site dining.
- Splurge: the biggest hotel in town, near Co-op Mart, is the top end of what the city offers; Long Xuyên has no large international resort sector, so the ceiling here is modest compared with Vietnam's major cities.
Best area for a first visit
Base yourself around Co-op Mart and the city centre. It puts you next to the main commercial streets, the market and the riverfront, and it is where the widest range of accommodation is concentrated. From there you can reach the rest of the city and the rural communes without making every trip a journey.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Long Xuyên?
Regular buses run between Long Xuyên and other cities. The nearest airports are Can Tho International Airport and Rach Gia Airport, each about 45 km from the city centre.
What is there to eat in Long Xuyên?
Bún cá Long Xuyên is the city's distinct specialty, sold by street vendors: a broth made with snakehead fish and tamarind, served with rice noodles and herbs. Local ingredients also include basa fish, mắm thái and thốt nốt coconuts.
Is Long Xuyên a good base for the floating market?
The Long Xuyen Floating Market is part of the city's traditional life and remains from its more rural past. Staying in the central wards keeps you close to the river and the docking area in the middle of the city.
Should I stay in the rural communes or the city wards?
The rural communes of Mỹ Hòa Hưng and Mỹ Khánh give you a countryside setting but put you away from the shops, transport and dining of the centre. If you want convenience, the central wards are the better choice.
Compare live prices for your dates with the booking tools on this page before you decide where to base yourself.