🧭 Every country, and the places worth the trip NEW 26,489 places written across 243 countries 🎮 Guess the country As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases
Meridiela.
Home/Countries/Vietnam/Museums & culture/Oc Eo Archaeological Site

Oc Eo Archaeological Site

A port of the Funan kingdom where Roman coins were dug up, on a plain that used to be coast.

Saved in this browser only - no account, nothing sent anywhere. See your map

WhereAn Giang Province
Nearest cityThoai Son about 5 km; Long Xuyen about 35 km
Best seasonDecember to April
Time to allowHalf a day
Getting thereRoads south of Long Xuyen towards Thoai Son and Ba The mountain
EntrySmall entry fee

Oc Eo was a port city of Funan, the first substantial state known in mainland South East Asia, occupied from roughly the first to the seventh century, and it was identified by the French archaeologist Louis Malleret in the 1940s. What made it internationally significant was what came out of the ground: Roman coins including a medallion of Antoninus Pius, Indian seals and beads, Persian and Chinese material - direct evidence that this delta was a node on the maritime route between the Mediterranean and China. The sea has since retreated many kilometres, leaving the site inland. Vietnam has been preparing a World Heritage nomination for it.

What you actually see

  • A Funan port city - occupied from about the first to the seventh century.
  • Roman, Indian and Persian finds - including a medallion of Antoninus Pius.
  • A maritime trade node - between the Mediterranean and China.
  • A site now inland - the sea has retreated many kilometres.

When to go

December to April, the dry season. Half a day.

Honest expectations

What is exposed is foundations and excavation areas rather than standing buildings. The main finds are in museums at Long Xuyen and Ho Chi Minh City. Interpretation is limited. The site is hot and shadeless.

Nearby

Ba The mountain is beside it; Long Xuyen is north-east.

What to pack for Oc Eo Archaeological Site

Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.

All packing kits →

Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.

← More museums & culture in Vietnam

One postcard a week.

A short Friday email: one place worth knowing about, the story behind it, and what is in season right now. No noise - leave whenever you like.