- Banh cong (crisp shrimp cakes) at the Ninh Kieu night market.
- Lau mam (fermented fish hotpot): the delta's signature.
- Tropical fruit on Son Islet: mangosteen, rambutan, durian in season.
Can Tho City Guide
A watermelon boat at the Cai Rang floating market, Can Tho. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Can Tho is the capital of the Mekong Delta: a riverside city of 1.2 million where the Hau River sets the rhythm. It is the base for the delta's great sight, the Cai Rang floating market, and the most rewarding city in the region to stay in.
Cai Rang starts before dawn: hundreds of wooden boats trading pineapples, watermelons and coffee on the water. Back in town, the Ninh Kieu waterfront, the Binh Thuy ancient house and the night market fill the day. The delta's orchard islets and Tra Su forest make easy day trips.
What to do in Can Tho
The river
- 1
Cai Rang floating market The dawn market: go at 5am, hire a small boat. - 2
Ninh Kieu Wharf The waterfront promenade: night market and river cruises. - 3Binh Thuy Ancient House The 1870 French-Vietnamese merchant house (The Lover was filmed here).
Day trips
- 1
Phong Dien floating market The smaller, more local market up the canal from Cai Rang. - 2
Tra Su cajuput forest The flooded melaleuca forest, 2 hours toward Chau Doc. - 3Son Islet The community ecotourism islet: fish farms and orchards.
Can Tho Hotel Guide
How to choose the best places to stay in Can Tho. Verified properties below; for the full list, search live availability on Booking.com.
Mid-range
Muong Thanh Luxury Can Tho Hotel
The tower hotel on the Ninh Kieu waterfront.
View on Booking.comWhere to eat
Getting there and around
Can Tho is 170 km from Ho Chi Minh City, about 3.5 hours by expressway bus from Mien Tay station. Can Tho International Airport (VCA) handles domestic flights. Book the floating-market boat the evening before; departures start at 5am.