Insider's Guide to Exploring Can Tho: From A to Z

Overview of Can Tho City

Located in the lower reaches of the Mekong River and at the heart of the Mekong Delta, Can Tho City lies 169 kilometers away from Ho Chi Minh City. Since the French colonial period, Can Tho has served as the capital and nucleus of the Southwestern region. Today, it continues to be the economic center of the Mekong Delta region. Besides its geographical significance as a crucial transportation hub connecting various provinces, Can Tho is also renowned as a 'riverine urban center.'

Cityscape of Can Tho from Above (source: collected)

Transportation Options

There are 3 means of transportation to get to Can Tho City

Bus

You can take a bus from the Western Bus Station (address: 395 Kinh Duong Vuong, An Lac Ward, Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh City) with a travel time to Can Tho of 3 hours, to purchase tickets or contact specialized buses running on the Saigon - Can Tho route such as:

1. Phuong Trang Bus Company

• Ho Chi Minh City: 272 De Tham Street, District 1. Phone: (08) 38375570. Departures from the Western Bus Station from 7 am to 10 pm.
• Can Tho: Departures from Nguyen Trai Bus Station (intersection of Hung Vuong Street) every half an hour.

2. Mai Linh Bus Company

• Booking hotline in Ho Chi Minh City: (08) 39292929. Hotline: 0985 29 29 29.
• Route from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho: 15-seat and 45-seat buses depart every 15 minutes throughout the day, 24/24.
• Ticket prices from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho range from only 130,000 to 140,000 Vietnamese dong per ticket.

3. Hoang Long Bus Company

• Ho Chi Minh City: Ticket office at the Eastern Bus Station, Phone: (08) 35113113. Office: 47 Pham Ngu Lao Street, District 1, Phone: (08) 39151818.
• Can Tho: Ben Xe Lo 91B

Flight

There are 3 airlines operating flights from Hanoi to Can Tho: Vietnam Airlines (Prices range from 2,400,000 to 4,500,000 VND/round-trip ticket), Vietjet Air (Prices range from about 1,800,000 to 2,700,000 VND/round-trip ticket). Additionally, travelers can hunt for cheap tickets to Can Tho from Jetstar. To find tickets, travelers can directly access the Vntrip flight booking page.

Motorbike

You can opt for a motorbike when departing from Saigon to have control over your time and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way.

Ideal Time to Visit Can Tho

Can Tho boasts a warm sunny climate all year round, making it beautiful to visit in any season. Each season in Can Tho has its own fascinating attractions.

Summer (around June, July, August) is the season of ripe fruits in Can Tho, so if you enjoy exploring lush fruit orchards, summer is the ideal time to visit.

Exploring the Fruit Orchards of Can Tho (source: collected)

Around September to November is the flood season, and visiting Can Tho during this time, you'll see flooded fields everywhere, with water covering the landscape.

The Flood Season in the Land of Western Rivers (source: collected)

From December to February, nearing the Lunar New Year, is the time to immerse yourself in the vibrant colors of flowers in Can Tho.

Vibrant Colors of Flowers on Lunar New Year's Eve (source: collected)

Famous Places in Can Tho

Cai Rang Floating Market

It takes about 30 minutes from Ninh Kieu Wharf to reach Cai Rang Floating Market. The market operates from early morning, from 5 to 9 a.m., and the cost of renting a boat for sightseeing ranges from 300,000 to 500,000 dong depending on the number of passengers. Along the Hau River are boats with bamboo poles hanging 'advertisements' showcasing mainly fruits, agricultural products, food, and breakfast items. This has become an interesting and unique cultural feature in the Mekong Delta region, attracting many tourists.

Bustling and Lively Market (source: collected)

To enhance the travel experience, tourists can book hotels in Cai Rang District such as:

Fruit Orchards

Can Tho has long been renowned for its various fruit orchards, supplying fruits to the market and catering to the eco-tourism needs of travelers. In the summer, orchards filled with fruits like mangosteen, rambutan, pomelo, apple, and durian lure many tourists. Famous fruit orchards such as Vam Xang - Phong Dien Orchard, located about 12km from the city center, or Con Au, Giao Duong, My Thom, My Khanh, Vu Binh orchards, and My Thuan longan orchard are worth a visit.

Visiting Fruit Orchards in Can Tho (source: collected)

Tourists exploring fruit orchards (source: collected)

Binh Thuy Ancient House

Can Tho boasts over 70 ancient houses, each bearing significant cultural and historical value to our nation. One of them is the Binh Thuy Ancient House, belonging to the Duong family, built in 1870 with a blend of modern French architecture. It harmoniously combines Eastern and Western cultures, embodying both classical tradition and modernity. The Binh Thuy Ancient House is located on Bui Huu Nghia Street, Binh Thuy Ward, Binh Thuy District, Can Tho City.

Unique architecture on the exterior of the ancient house (source: collected)

Interior furnishings within the ancient house (source: collected)

A Few Hotels in Binh Thuy District:

Bang Lang Stork Garden

Bang Lang Stork Garden is approximately 60km from Can Tho City, along National Highway 91, passing through O Mon District, reaching Thot Not District to Bang Lang Bridge. There's a smaller road leading to the stork garden, where visitors can rent motorcycles, bicycles, or walk about 2km to reach the destination.

Being a fertile land for nesting birds, Bang Lang Stork Garden has created a fantastic living space for birds from all over to settle here. Visitors will experience the vibrant life amidst the unique melody of Bang Lang Stork Garden.

Tours to Can Tho to observe the Bang Lang Stork Colony (source: collected)

Ninh Kieu Pier

Ninh Kieu Pier has now transformed into Ninh Kieu Park, located along the gentle Hau River, along Hai Ba Trung Street, right in the heart of Can Tho City. There's a saying, 'Can Tho has Ninh Kieu Pier, with a beautiful river and many beauties.' This has made Ninh Kieu Pier a pride of the people of the Western Region and an unmissable tourist spot when visiting Can Tho.
Ninh Kieu Park is spacious and elegant, with many beautiful ornamental trees planted inside, adorning the lush green grass amidst white cement slabs. There's also a 7.2m bronze statue of Uncle Ho. Surrounding the park are floating restaurants serving various local specialties.

Ninh Kieu Pier at night (source: collected)

Daytime Tourism at Ninh Kieu Pier in Can Tho (source: collected)

My Khanh Ecotourism Village

My Khanh Tourist Area is one of the captivating ecotourism destinations in Can Tho. Situated between the famous floating markets of Cai Rang and Phong Dien, My Khanh covers an area of over 50,000m2, catering to recreational and relaxation needs. It's a place where the essence of the river culture meets lush orchards with various specialty fruits and rich Southern cuisine. Moreover, the tourist area offers activities like dog and pig racing, a day as a farmer experience, canal fishing, boat rowing, fishing, visiting traditional craft villages, listening to traditional music, and monkey circus performances.

Entrance gate of the ecotourism village (source: collected)

Pig racing at My Khanh (source: collected)

Can Tho Bridge

The Can Tho Bridge, spanning 2,750 meters, is a cable-stayed bridge across the Hau River, connecting Can Tho City and Vinh Long Province. It holds the record for the longest main span cable-stayed bridge in Southeast Asia (with a main span length of 550 meters).

Panoramic view of Can Tho Bridge (source: collected)

Ong Pagoda

Chinese architectural style of Ong Pagoda (source: collected)

Ong Pagoda, also known as Quang Trieu Assembly Hall, is located at 32 Hai Ba Trung Street, Ninh Kieu District. As the oldest pagoda in Can Tho, it was built in the colorful architectural style of the Chinese. Its most notable festival is the Lantern Festival, held once every 10 years, to enrich cultural activities in the area and raise funds for charitable causes such as building cemeteries, schools, and assisting orphaned children in the city. It's a must-visit tourist destination in Can Tho.

Truc Lam Phuong Nam Zen Monastery

Considered the largest Zen monastery in the Mekong Delta, built in the architectural style of Buddhism during the Ly – Tran dynasty, Truc Lam Phuong Nam Zen Monastery is located in My Khanh commune (near My Khanh tourist area). It is situated within the historical monument area of ​​Lo Vong Cung in Can Tho City. The total area of ​​Truc Lam Phuong Nam Zen Monastery is over 38,000 square meters.

Zen monastery seen from above (source: collected)

Tay Do Night Market

Photo of Tay Do Night Market from outside (source: collected)

Tay Do Night Market is located about 1 km west of the center of Can Tho city, situated within the Can Tho International Exhibition Fairground. The night market attracts many visitors due to its vibrant atmosphere, characteristic of a bustling trading market, combined with a touch of romance from Ninh Kieu Wharf and the spaciousness of the nearby Hau River. It embodies the simple and rustic charm of the generous people of the Mekong Delta.

Specialties in Can Tho

Muoi Xiem Pancake

Can Tho tourism cannot miss the enticing Muoi Xiem pancake (source: collected)

When in Can Tho, don't forget to savor the world-famous brand – Muoi Xiem pancake. From the center of Can Tho heading towards Tra Noc, where the renowned Muoi Xiem pancake shop is located.

The ingredients for making pancakes include rice flour mixed with coconut milk, turmeric, shrimp, meat... Pancakes are wrapped with rice paper and served with various fresh vegetables (spicy mustard greens, lettuce, purple basil, coriander, mint, fish mint, sour bananas, sliced star fruits...) Depending on the preference, pancakes can be dipped in fish sauce or northern-style sauce.

Address: 13/3, 917 Street, Tra Noc Ward, Binh Thuy District, Can Tho.

Dạ Ly Fermented Fish Hotpot

Dạ Ly fermented fish hotpot is favored for its ability to adjust the smell and taste according to each customer's preference. A delicious fermented fish hotpot depends partly on the origin of the fish sauce, the method of preparation, and partly on the diverse variety of vegetables.

Address: 89 3/2 Street, Hung Loi Ward, Ninh Kieu District - Can Tho

A portion of fermented fish hotpot (source: Foody.vn)

Duck cooked in fermented tofu

A famous dish in Can Tho (source: collected material)

When in Can Tho, you must indulge in duck cooked in fermented tofu - a distinctive dish of the Mekong Delta, but nowhere is it more abundant and delicious than in Can Tho. Along a small alley on Ly Tu Trong Street, An Phu Ward, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho, there are many eateries lined up, with parking spaces filled in the afternoon. Although this dish may not boast gourmet flavors, it is highly favored by the majority.

Sharing a hotpot of duck cooked in fermented tofu accompanied by vermicelli or rice noodles with various vegetables, enjoying it with family or a few friends on a cool afternoon, what could be more delightful?

Address: Kim Lien Restaurant, Hem 1, Ly Tu Trong Street, Can Tho.

Grilled snakehead fish with fermented bamboo shoots

Savory grilled snakehead fish with fermented bamboo shoots (source: collected data)

Grilled snakehead fish with fermented bamboo shoots is a dish that has been enjoyed since the exploration of the Southern land, boasting rich flavors that countless tourists seek to savor when visiting Can Tho. The hallmark of this rustic dish is that the fish requires no preparation, meaning no scaling, no removal of slime, no gutting, and no seasoning. It is served with fresh vegetables, rice paper, rice noodles, etc.

Address: Xang Thoi Lake area, Hoang Van Thu...

Grilled fermented pork rolls

Intriguing grilled fermented pork rolls (source: collected data)

Grilled fermented pork rolls are made from lean pork meat, finely ground with a touch of fat, mixed with pomegranate seeds and aromatic spices such as garlic, sugar, salt... Formed into small finger-sized patties, they are skewered or placed on bamboo sticks, then grilled over charcoal until they release a fragrant, sizzling smoke.

Address: Thanh Van Grilled Fermented Pork Rolls, 17 Hoa Binh Avenue, Can Tho.

Grilled pepper snails

The spicy taste of black pepper combined with the rich sweetness of the snail meat creates the distinctive flavor of this humble dish from the Western region. Grilled pepper snails are best enjoyed by savoring the flavorful sauce inside the shell. The salty and spicy broth intensifies the allure and uniqueness of this dish. You can find this dish at any eatery in Can Tho.

Exploring Can Tho's tourism with the enticing Grilled Pepper Snails (source: collected data)

Shopping in Can Tho

Items that can be purchased in Can Tho as gifts for family and friends include:

Specialty: Purple Leaf Tet Cake (source: collected data)

Hạ Châu Strawberries (source: collected data)

Dried Mudskipper Specialty (source: collected data)

Thuận Hưng Rice Paper (source: collected data)

Sáu Tia Plum Wine, a special gift from Can Tho tourism (source: collected data)

Accommodations in Can Tho

Here are some places to stay in Can Tho you may consider:

Iris Can Tho Hotel

Iris Hotel Can Tho is a 4-star hotel that meets international standards. The hotel is a large building designed in a modern style with a total of 73 well-equipped guest rooms divided into various types to cater to the needs of different types of guests.

Guest rooms with warm tones (source: collected data)

Modern and luxurious dining area (source: collected data)

The hotel's swimming pool (source: collected data)

Holiday One Hotel

Holiday One Hotel comprises 82 spacious guest rooms fully equipped with everyday necessities such as: 31-inch flat-screen TVs, air conditioning units, bedside lamps creating a sparkling, romantic ambiance in the evening... The well-trained, friendly staff in smart uniforms are always ready to assist, provide advice on famous tourist destinations in the city, and the hotel also offers luggage assistance to guests.

Well-equipped bedrooms (source: collected data)

Outdoor swimming pool (source: collected data)

Tay Ho Hotel

Tay Ho Hotel features a distinct Western architecture dating back to the early 19th century. It is one of the oldest hotels in Can Tho. The two-story building with prominent red tiled roofs has a wide, sprawling facade. Here, you can experience a nostalgic feeling with its characteristic architecture while enjoying modern amenities comfortably.

Fully equipped bedrooms (source: collected data)

Some other hotels in Can Tho with good room rates include:

When visiting Can Tho, don't forget to book your accommodation on Vntrip to enjoy great discounts and receive the best support.