Can Tho, Vietnam: Discover The Heart Of The Mekong Delta – Detailed Guide

Can Tho, called "the capital of the Mekong Delta", is an essential destination for travelers who dream of discovering authentic traditional life and truly experiencing Vietnam. This city has something for every traveler, surprising you with its natural beauty, unique culture, and delicious food! Keep reading to learn more about this city that you shouldn't miss on your travel plan in Vietnam!

Written by Oliver PHUNG (local expert)Updated on 06-07-2024

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1. Where Is Can Tho Located?

Can Tho is located in the south of Vietnam, in the Mekong Delta, about 170 km south of Ho Chi Minh City, and it's the most developed pole for development in the deltaic region, which is also known as the capital of the Mekong Delta.

Access to Can Tho is greatly facilitated by its airport, making it easy for travelers from other cities in the north and center of the country to get there. A flight from Hanoi, the Vietnamese capital, takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes, while from Da Nang, the capital of the Central region, the journey is reduced to only 1 hour and 20 minutes. This practicality makes it much easier to discover this magnificent city in the Mekong Delta.

Despite its dynamic development and distinguishing itself from other cities in the Mekong Delta, it still maintains its attractive calmness, expressed by meandering rivers and canals interspersed with rich orchards full of juicy fruits, as well as being friendly and warm. Its romantic walkway along the Hau River, a tributary of the Mekong River offers an environment that soothes.

2. When Are The Best Times To Visit

Can Tho is situated in a sunny, tropical area, and it has warm and nice weather all year round, with the average temperature at around 28 °C. The city experiences a dry season from December to April and a wet season from May to November. However, during the summer months, the heat can be quite oppressive, making it the best time to visit during the dry season.

The fruitful land of Can Tho guarantees continuous harvests of fruits, whereby June, July, and August are periods when the most delicious and sweetest varieties are found on the market. This will be an exciting time for fruit enthusiasts.

But apart from climate and agricultural produce, there is more to see in Can Tho. Unique festivals and events characterize the city beyond its climatic features and produce. The Cholchonam Thomay festival, symbolizing the Khmer New Year, is full of life and happiness on March 13th–15th on the lunar calendar. Another significant event takes place on the full moon of October, which is the Okombook offering party, where one can have a taste of Khmer traditional rituals toward spirituality.

Make sure you experience these captivating events if you want to explore Vietnam’s cultural treasures in Can Tho!

3. How To Get There?

Wondering how you can get there when planning a visit to Can Tho? It depends on the place where you are, be it by plane or car. The beginning is what affects the choice of direction to take in order to come that way. However, here are some ideas about the easiest ways:

>> Getting to Can Tho from Ho Chi Minh City.

The distance between Ho Chi Minh City and Cần Thơ is around 170 km, which by car takes about 3h30. You can travel either by bus or hire a private car with a driver.

• Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho by Car

From downtown Ho Chi Minh City, take National Highway 1A, crossing Long An and Tien Giang provinces, go across My Thuan Bridge, reaching Vinh Long province, and then drive another 30 kilometers via Can Tho Bridge, which will bring you to Can Tho city center. 

For example, instead of booking a taxi through a travel company for your trip across this city, it may be possible for you to book a vehicle on an hourly basis (contact a travel agent). Since it is facilitated and more convenient, complete tour packages, which include round-trip transportation, are usually offered in these offices at different prices depending on the type of vehicle and the number of people traveling.

• Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho by Local Bus

Ho Chi Minh City is connected to Can Tho by various bus services. You can purchase tickets at the Westside Bus station at 395 Kinh Duong Vuong, An Lac District, Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh City. Major bus companies for this route include Phuong Trang and Thanh Buoi.

>>> Getting to Can Tho from Hanoi or Da Nang

Because of the long distance involved, flying is considered the best way to get to Can Tho from either Hanoi or Da Nang. We have leading airlines such as Vietnam Airlines and Bamboo Airways that have direct flights to Can Tho. After reaching Can Tho Airport, which is located ten kilometers away from the city center, you will easily find a cab or car that will take you home.

>>>>> Read our Vietnam Airport article now to learn more about airport routes in Vietnam!

4. What To Do And See In Can Tho?

• Take a cruise on the Mekong Delta from Can Tho

One of the best ways to experience the Mekong Delta's beauty in Vietnam is on a cruise that combines leisure, culture, and scenery. The cruise from Can Tho to Mekong Delta is great as it stops at several amazing attractions like Tra Su Bird Sanctuary, Cai Rang Floating Market, and Son Island while allowing sufficient time for relaxation on board. 

In case you are short on time, there is another more suitable option for your itinerary: dinner on board the Can Tho cruise ship. 

Can Tho Cruise Ship, also known as Ninh Kieu Cruise Ship, is a wide, spacious floating eatery. Tourists will have the chance to watch Ninh Kieu Port sparkle at night, taste delicious local meals, and listen to “đơn ca tài tử"ᅳone of the traditional music forms in this region. 

They are always performed live with traditional music accompaniment and acting, thus making them a type of folk song theater. This art form originated in the daily lives of the delta communities and was put on UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. 

The best time to experience the beauty of Can Tho aboard a cruise is in April or December. At this time, Can Tho is in the dry season, which is ideal for exploring the beautiful scenery of the South Delta region and for participating in many local festivals. 

• Visit Binh Thuy's old house

Hunting for a spectacular house to check out while you live in Can Tho? Which is the old house of Binh Thuy, one of the showcases of skepticism? The house integrates the architectural styles of Western and Eastern architecture; it was constructed over 100 years ago. Famous for the novel by Marguerite Duras, published under the title The Lover and transformed into a movie.

Located adjacent to Binh Thuy's ancient house is a temple. The local folks have beautifully maintained the ancient temple for centuries, demonstrating their physical, intellectual, and community power. A visit to this temple can tell us how Vietnamese ancestors thought, practiced, and blended with the passion of art culture.

The carved wooden columns, dragon-shaped beams, and painted murals are a testimony to the craftsmanship of the people. Just feel the abundant belief and reverence of villagers for their ancestors, namely those deities who were believed to make miracles, as you look at altars and statues.

• Discover the religious mosaic in Can Tho

Can Tho is home to many Chinese temples and Khmer pagodas, highlighting Vietnam's rich cultural and religious diversity.

Ong Temple, originally a Cantonese meeting hall, is a significant historical monument for the Chinese community. Built in 1894, the temple features beautiful wooden carvings, reliefs, and murals depicting scenes from Chinese mythology. It houses statues of important Chinese deities, including the national hero Zihuang and the goddess Guanyin.

The Khmer Pagoda of Munir Ansay is a unique Buddhist place of worship known for its distinctive architecture and decor. The pagoda boasts golden Buddha statues, a tranquil garden, a wooden bell tower, and Angkorian-style Khmer towers. Visitors can explore statues of deities and mythological scenes in a peaceful, meditative environment.

• Experience Can Tho's floating markets

The Cai Rang Floating Market was once a great pride for Can Tho as well as the Mekong Delta. It is a lively place with commercial activities on the boats, and a very special atmosphere of the Mekong Delta. However, since the pandemic, activities have been gradually limited and some traders are no longer in operation. Therefore, it is true that the floating market in Cai Rang is not as lively as it used to be. Tourists should take note of this to avoid disappointment, but that doesn't mean Can Tho has become any less appealing. The city is still full of many places to discover and other activities waiting for visitors.

There is another lesser-known floating market, Phong Dien Market, which is only about 30 minutes away from Cai Rang Market. Its simplicity, daily life, and scenes of rural life create a rare beauty for this place. Boats loaded with goods begin arriving at the markets at dawn until about 9 a.m. So, it is best to visit them early in the morning to avoid the crowds of tourists and to see the bustling shopping activities. It is recommended to take a boat trip to better enjoy the authentic experience of the market.

>>>> Discover our expert advice and plan your perfect 2-Week Getaway in Vietnam from North to South!

• Learn about traditional noodle-making

If you love Vietnamese food, you can't miss "hủ tiếu" (Vietnamese noodles). Many families make this delicious dish, but the most famous are Lò Sáu Hoài and Chín Cửu. Each family has its secret recipe, passed down through generations, to create the perfect noodles for a good hủ tiếu.

Making hủ tiếu noodles involves many steps, including soaking, grinding, cooking, and drying. Besides the traditional white noodles, you can also find colored noodles made from natural vegetables and plants without dyes or chemicals. For example, orange noodles come from gac fruits, purple from blue pea flowers, green from pandanus leaves, and pink from sweet potatoes. These colors and flavors add extra appeal to an already tasty dish.

Visiting noodle-making workshops lets you learn about the history and traditions of local artisans. You can even participate in some of the noodle-making steps, adding a personal touch to your dining experience.

• Visit the Ba Lang fruit orchard

Enriched by the alluvium of the majestic Mekong River, Can Tho is a fertile land abundant with fruits. If you're in the area, don't forget a visit to the Ba Lang fruit orchard. This dazzling orchard offers a wide variety of tropical fruits. Explore the plantation and pick fresh fruit on-site for a gourmet and unforgettable experience.

• Taste the local cuisine in Can Tho

Can Tho is a food lover's paradise, offering a unique and mouthwatering cuisine that reflects the rich agricultural bounty of the Mekong Delta. The region's dishes are distinguished by their generous use of fresh vegetables, a result of the area's exceptional fertility.

A must-try recipe in Can Tho is Banh Xeo. This crunchy gold pancake is full of a range of active ingredients like veggies, mung beans, duck meat, pork, bean sprouts, and shrimp. In the Mekong Delta, Banh Xeo is bigger and a lot more vegetable-packed than variations located somewhere else in Vietnam.

Another local specialty is "lẩu mắm," a spicy fish fondue unique to this region. It features boiled meat, raw vegetables, and noodles cooked in a fermented fish broth, creating a rustic and appealing flavor that Southerners love.
One of the best street foods in Can Tho is undoubted "Banh Cong". It is a warm and crispy patty topped with fatty meat, shrimp, and green beans, served with a sweet and sour sauce and vegetables.

• Take a bike ride in Can Tho

One activity that travelers should try in Can Tho is bike riding. This experience offers a unique way to explore the city in the Mekong Delta. By cycling around, you can discover surrounding rice paddies, fruit gardens, and charming villages along narrow arroyos. It's a fantastic opportunity to meet locals and learn about their way of life.

Then, don’t forget to visit Ninh Kieu Pier, located right in the city center. This romantic spot, with its fresh river waters, is a symbol of the region. The first tourist pedestrian bridge in the Mekong Delta connects Ninh Kieu Pier and Cai Khe Islet. This bridge attracts visitors with its bright, colorful lights, offering a cool breeze from the Hau River and a glittering nighttime view of Can Tho city.

5. Where To Stay In Can Tho?

Can Tho offer a variety of accommodation options for tourists, ranging from high-quality hotels to friendly budget stays. To enhance your experience, we’ve compiled a list of the "Best Places to Stay in Can Tho" to help you make the perfect choice.

• Can Tho Ecolodge

• Address: 542, Zone No. 3, Ba Lang Ward, Cai Rang
• Website: https://cantho.ecolodge.asia/

Can Tho Ecolodge is located about 20 km (about a 20-minute drive) from the Can Tho city center, close to Cai Rang Floating Market. As the name suggests, this eco-friendly hotel is designed to minimize its impact on the environment while providing modern comforts to its guests. The eco-lodge is set in an exceptional natural setting, surrounded by lush gardens and green rice fields. The wooden bungalows are built on stilts to preserve the local ecosystem and offer stunning views of the surrounding landscapes.

• Bamboo Eco Village

• Address: My Thuan Hamlet, My Khanh, Phong Dien
• Website: https://bambooecovillage.com/

Located 25 km (around a 30-minute drive) from the Can Tho city center, Bamboo Eco Village is perfect for travelers looking to recharge in a peaceful, natural setting. Built with natural materials like bamboo, straw, and wood, the village uses renewable energy sources such as solar panels. Guests can relax and enjoy nature in the village's lush green garden.

• Azerai Can Tho

• Address: No. 10 Song Hau, Cai Khe District, Ninh Kieu District\
• Website: https://azerai.com/azerai-can-tho/

Azerai Can Tho is a luxury hotel situated in the city center of Can Tho on Au Island. This upscale property provides an exceptional stay experience, blending comfort, elegance, and Vietnamese hospitality. Azerai Can Tho also offers a range of high-end facilities and services, including an outdoor pool, spa, fitness center, and a gourmet restaurant serving Vietnamese and international cuisine.

Our final words

If you are looking for a scenic, authentic, and exotic destination, Can Tho is the answer to your travel dreams. This capital of the Mekong Delta will offer you a unique experience, with its bustling markets, lush gardens, and serene canals. Discover the local flavors, meet friendly people, and soak up the fascinating culture of this region. Can Tho is a destination that deserves to be added to your travel list, so don't hesitate any longer and prepare your trip now!

>>> Also read the other beautiful cities in the Southern Vietnam:

• What to Do in Mekong Delta? Your Complete Guide in 2024
• Wonders of Ho Chi Minh City: An In-Depth Travel Guide