Chaudoc
Travel Information
 Chau
Doc's population is estimated at around 80,000 and is an important
trading and marketing center for the surrounding countryside. Until
the mid-18th century this region was part of Cambodia. There is
still a large Khmer population and the largest Cham settlement in
the Delta.
The Chau Doc district is also the seat of the 1 - 1.5 million
followers of the Hoa Hao religion, founded in 1939 at the village
of Hoa Hao.
It was here, 20 km east of Chau Doc that Huynh Phu founded
an influential indigenous religion that attempted to rid Buddhism
of its pagodas and clergy. After World War II, the Hoa Hao community
created an anti Marxist political party called Don Xa, which led
to Huynh Phu So's assassination by the Viet Minh. After 1975, the
Communists clamped down on the Hoa Hao and the sect and it lost
much of it's influence.
Dont's:
Shoes are to be removed when visiting homes or Buddhist Temples.
Do not point the bottom of your feet towards other people or Buddhist
statues. This is not universal so watch what others are doing.
Shorts are considered inappropriate attire and are allowed
to be worn by children. In recent times in the main cities, it has
been considered fashionable by women. However, it is still not widely
accepted and has not yet filtered to the hinterlands. Again, check
what people are wearing around you.
Leaving chopsticks sticking upright (vertically) in a rice
bowl is not appreciated as this is a powerful death sign. In doing
so this indicates incense sticks which are burned for the dead.
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