Ho Soai So sits in the Tri Ton district of An Giang province, wedged between forested hills that feel more like Cambodia's Cardamom Mountains than the pancake-flat rice paddies most people associate with the Mekong Delta (메콩 델타 / 湄公河三角洲 / メコンデルタ). If you're looking for somewhere in southern Vietnam that doesn't involve floating markets or coconut candy factories, this lake delivers.
What it is
Ho Soai So is a natural freshwater lake fed by seasonal rains and underground springs, surrounded by granite outcrops and sparse forest. The name comes from the Khmer language — the Tri Ton area has a significant Khmer community, and the lake has been a local landmark for generations. It covers roughly 2 hectares and sits at the base of Nui Dai (Big Mountain), one of the Seven Mountains ("Bay Nui") range that defines this corner of An Giang.
The lake gained modest tourism attention in the 2010s as domestic travelers started hunting for off-grid weekend escapes from Saigon. Infrastructure remains basic — which is exactly the point.
Why travelers go
Three reasons: the landscape, the quiet, and the Khmer cultural layer.
The Seven Mountains area is genuinely unusual for the Mekong Delta. You get elevation (modest — Nui Cam tops out around 710m), laterite trails, and panoramic views across flat rice country stretching to the Cambodian border. Ho Soai So itself is photogenic in a low-key way — still green water, boulders, scattered palms — and it's rarely crowded on weekdays.
The surrounding Khmer villages offer a cultural texture different from the ethnic-Viet majority towns. Khmer pagodas with their pointed spires, "num bo choc" noodle soup at morning markets, and palm-sugar production along the roadsides give the area a distinct feel.
Best time to visit
The lake is fullest from September through November, at the tail end of the rainy season. Water levels drop significantly by March, and by April–May the lakebed can look scrubby and underwhelming.
For photography and comfortable riding weather, October to January is the sweet spot — green hills, full water, and less rain than the peak monsoon months of July–August. Temperatures hover around 28–32°C year-round.
Avoid Tet week unless you want company. Domestic tourists from Saigon (사이공 / 西贡 / サイゴン) and Can Tho flood the Seven Mountains area during the lunar new year holiday.
Photo by maxed. RAW on Pexels
How to get there
Ho Soai So is about 280 km from Saigon and 90 km from Can Tho (껀터 / 芹苴 / カントー).
From Saigon: Drive or ride southwest on the N1 toward Long Xuyen, then continue west on DT943 through Tri Ton town. Total ride time on a motorbike is 5–6 hours; by car via expressway to Can Tho then onward, around 4.5 hours.
From Can Tho: Head west on QL91 to Long Xuyen, then DT943 to Tri Ton. About 2–2.5 hours by motorbike.
From Chau Doc: Ride south on DT948 through Tinh Bien, then cut east toward Tri Ton. Roughly 40 km, under an hour.
The final few kilometers to the lake are on a concrete rural road — passable on any motorbike but bumpy in spots. No public bus runs directly to the lake; you'll need your own wheels or a xe om from Tri Ton town (around 40,000–60,000 VND one way).
What to do
At the lake
- Walk the perimeter trail (30–45 minutes, flat and shaded)
- Swim if water levels allow — locals do, though there are no lifeguards
- Photograph the boulder formations at the south end, especially in early morning light
Nearby
- Nui Cam (Cam Mountain): The tallest of the Seven Mountains; a cable car runs to the top. Views are worth it on clear days. Entry around 70,000 VND.
- Tuc Dup Hill: A wartime tunnel complex, now a memorial site. Interesting for history buffs — the tunnels were carved into solid rock.
- Tri Ton market: Morning market with strong Khmer influence. Try "banh tet (뗏 (베트남 설날) / 越南春节 / テト (ベトナム旧正月)) la cam" (purple sticky rice cake) and fresh palm sugar.
- Khmer pagodas: Xa Ton pagoda and Kompong Tro pagoda are the most accessible, both within 10 km of the lake.
Where to eat
Don't expect restaurants at the lake itself — pack snacks or eat in Tri Ton town before heading out.
In Tri Ton:
- Quan com Thanh Huong on the main road: basic rice plates ("com tam" style) for 35,000–50,000 VND
- Morning "hu tieu" stalls near the market — the Khmer-style version uses a sweeter, pork-bone broth
- "Bun nuoc leo" (fish-based Khmer noodle soup) is the regional specialty; ask anyone in town for a recommendation — stalls rotate
For a proper sit-down meal, Long Xuyen (45 km east) or Chau Doc (40 km north) have far more options.
Photo by Nguyen Truong Khang on Pexels
Where to stay
Accommodation near Ho Soai So is limited:
- Homestays in Tri Ton: Basic fan rooms, 150,000–250,000 VND/night. Search "nha nghi Tri Ton" on Google Maps for current listings.
- Camping at the lake: Possible and increasingly popular with domestic travelers. Bring your own gear — no rental available on-site.
- Nui Cam area: A few guesthouses near the cable car station, slightly better equipped. 300,000–500,000 VND range.
For air-conditioning and hot water, base yourself in Chau Doc (plenty of hotels from budget to mid-range) and day-trip to the lake.
Practical tips
- Bring mosquito repellent. The lake area has plenty of standing water and the bugs are aggressive at dusk.
- Fill your fuel tank in Tri Ton — no gas stations near the lake.
- Mobile signal (Viettel) is decent; Mobifone is patchy in the hills.
- There's no entrance fee as of early 2024, though local authorities occasionally discuss implementing one.
- If you're combining this with a broader Mekong Delta loop, Can Tho and Chau Doc both connect well.
Common mistakes
Coming in dry season and being disappointed. The lake shrinks dramatically by March. Time your visit for October–January.
Not bringing enough water. There's nowhere to buy drinks within walking distance of the lake. Carry at least 2 liters.
Treating it as a full-day destination. The lake itself is a 1–2 hour visit. Pair it with Nui Cam, Tuc Dup, or the Khmer villages to fill a day.
Skipping Tri Ton market. The town itself is worth a morning wander — it's one of the most Khmer-influenced market towns in the delta, and the food is different from what you'll find in Can Tho or Saigon.
Last updated · May 22, 2026 · independently researched, never sponsored.
