Can Tho Travel Guide: Explore the Soul of the Mekong Delta

Nestled in the heart of the Mekong Delta, Can Tho is the beating heart of southern Vietnam’s river culture. Known for its floating markets, lush canals, traditional villages, and warm hospitality, Can Tho offers an authentic taste of life by the water.
 

As a tour guide who has led countless visitors through this tranquil yet vibrant city, I can tell you this: Can Tho is not just a stop—it’s a slow, unforgettable journey through a region that lives and breathes with the rhythms of the Mekong.

📍 Where is Can Tho?

Region: Southwestern Vietnam

Distance from Ho Chi Minh City: ~170 km (about 4 hours by car or bus)

Population: Over 1.2 million

Main River: Hau River (a major branch of the Mekong)

🌟 Why Visit Can Tho?

✅ Iconic floating markets like Cai Rang and Phong Dien
✅ Serene boat tours through lush canals and mangrove forests
✅ Delicious Delta cuisine including fresh river fish and tropical fruit
✅ Warm and welcoming locals in traditional river villages
✅ Gateway to the cultural and ecological wonders of the Mekong

✈️ How to Get to Can Tho

By Plane

Can Tho International Airport (VCA) offers flights from Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, and international routes from Thailand and Malaysia.

By Bus

Comfortable buses depart regularly from Ho Chi Minh City (approx. 4–5 hours).

By Private Car or Motorbike

A scenic drive from Saigon via Highway 1A or through smaller Delta towns.

🏞️ Top Attractions in Can Tho

1. Cai Rang Floating Market

The largest and most famous floating market in Vietnam

Best visited at sunrise (5:30–7:00 AM) for full activity

Vendors sell fruits, vegetables, coffee, and hot noodle soup from boats

A must for photographers and foodies alike!

2. Phong Dien Floating Market

Quieter and more authentic than Cai Rang

Best explored by traditional wooden sampan

Ideal for seeing locals trading in a non-touristy setting

3. Ninh Kieu Wharf

Central riverfront promenade with restaurants, street food, and views of Hau River

Take a sunset cruise or enjoy night market shopping

Popular spot for an evening walk with locals

4. Can Tho Bridge

The longest cable-stayed bridge in Southeast Asia

Iconic engineering feat connecting the city to Vinh Long Province

Great photo opportunity, especially at sunrise or sunset

5. Binh Thuy Ancient House

100-year-old French-colonial house blending European and Vietnamese architecture

Used in the film The Lover

Elegant interiors, bonsai gardens, and cultural insight

6. Ong Pagoda

Chinese-style temple built by the Cantonese community

Colorful architecture and a spiritual atmosphere

Located near Ninh Kieu Wharf

🌱 Off-the-Beaten-Path Experiences

📌 Can Tho Eco-Tourism Villages

My Khanh Tourist Village: Traditional games, monkey bridges, fruit orchards

Ba Lang Village: Organic farms, cooking classes, homestays

Con Son Islet: Floating fish farms, fruit picking, and local snacks

📌 Walking Through Rice Fields and Fruit Orchards

Guided cycling or walking tours offer a close-up look at local farming life

Taste dragon fruit, mangosteen, durian, and longan fresh from the tree

🍲 What to Eat in Can Tho

The cuisine here is shaped by the river—fresh, flavorful, and slightly sweet.

Must-Try Dishes

Bánh hỏi heo quay – Fine vermicelli sheets with crispy roast pork

Hủ tiếu – Clear noodle soup with pork, shrimp, and vegetables

Cá lóc nướng trui – Charcoal-grilled snakehead fish served with herbs and rice paper

Bánh xèo – Crispy rice pancakes with shrimp and bean sprouts

Lẩu mắm – Fermented fish hotpot with vegetables and river fish

Nem nướng Cái Răng – Grilled pork sausage with fresh greens and dipping sauce

Where to Eat

Sao Hom Restaurant – Riverside dining with traditional Mekong cuisine

L’Escale by Thierry Drapeau – Fine dining French-Vietnamese fusion

Gony Restaurant – Modern local dishes in a cozy setting

Chợ đêm Can Tho (Can Tho Night Market) – Street food galore!

🛏️ Where to Stay in Can Tho

Luxury

Azerai Can Tho Resort – Private island retreat, luxury spa, riverside villas

Muong Thanh Luxury Hotel – High-rise with pool, gym, river views

Mid-Range

Victoria Can Tho Resort – Colonial-style riverside property with beautiful gardens

TTC Hotel Premium – Comfortable and central with great service

Budget

Green Village Mekong Homestay – Peaceful nature setting, local family hosts

Mekong Rustic – Eco-lodges, fruit gardens, and cooking experiences

Casa Inn Hostel – Clean, modern dorms and private rooms in the city

🚤 Best Day Trips from Can Tho

🚣 Visit Tra Su Cajuput Forest (An Giang)

A magical flooded forest filled with water birds and green duckweed

Boat rides through mangrove canals

~2.5 hours from Can Tho

🚣 Explore Vinh Long and Local Orchards

Cross Can Tho Bridge and explore neighboring river islands

Visit fruit farms and traditional brick kilns

🚣 Long Xuyen Floating Market

Less touristy than Cai Rang

Located in An Giang Province, about 1.5 hours away

Great for early-risers who want authenticity

🗓️ Best Time to Visit Can Tho

February to April is peak travel season, while the wet season brings tropical beauty and vibrant greenery.

📸 Best Photo Spots in Can Tho

Cai Rang Market at sunrise

Fruit orchards in Con Son Islet

Aerial shots of Can Tho Bridge

Ninh Kieu Wharf at night

Rustic wooden houses along canals

💡 Insider Tips for Visiting Can Tho

Start early: Floating markets are busiest before 7 AM

Bring cash: Most small vendors don’t accept cards

Try a homestay: Stay with a local family to experience Delta life

Pack light but cover up: Lightweight long sleeves help against sun and bugs

Join a local guide: Learn more about the ecology, culture, and cuisine

🏁 Final Thoughts

Can Tho is the soulful heart of the Mekong Delta, where time slows down, rivers tell stories, and every meal is a celebration of local life. It’s a place for travelers who want to go beyond the tourist trail and immerse themselves in authentic Vietnamese culture.

Whether you're cruising the floating markets, biking through fruit orchards, or sipping coffee by the river, Can Tho offers a peaceful, enriching experience that’s hard to forget.