Immerse Yourself in the Charm of Cần Thơ

Once renowned as the “Western Capital” – the heart of the Mekong Delta for over a century, Can Tho is one of the most attractive destinations in southern Vietnam. Located in the center of the Mekong Delta, in the lower reaches of the Mekong River, Can Tho has managed to retain its distinctive cultural features despite rapid economic development. Here are some suggestions to help visitors fully explore the famous destinations of this Mekong Delta capital.

1. Best Time to Visit Can Tho

Can Tho is less affected by storms and has a pleasant climate year-round, although there is a distinct rainy and dry season. The ideal time to visit Can Tho is during the summer months, from May to August, when fruit orchards are harvested. From September to November is the flooding season, perfect for visitors to experience the rustic life of the Mekong Delta people and enjoy the specialties only available during the flood season. From December to February, Can Tho is adorned with flowers.

2. Getting Around

From Hanoi and Da Nang, you can buy flights from Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, and Vietjet Air. Round-trip tickets cost around 1,700,000 to 2,000,000 VND. From Ho Chi Minh City, visitors can travel by motorbike or car, following National Highway 1A to Can Tho. The journey is about 170 km and takes 3-4 hours during the day. If you travel by passenger bus, you can go to the Western Bus Station or bus companies on Le Hong Phong Street, District 10 to buy tickets. The bus fare from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho is about 130,000 – 180,000 VND per ticket.

3. Hotels and Resorts

Visitors can choose to stay in homestays in the city center or resorts by the river depending on their budget. Some high-end accommodations include Azerai Can Tho Resort and Victoria Can Tho Resort, with prices ranging from around 1,200,000 to 5,000,000 VND per night. Can Tho is not very developed in terms of homestays. You can rent a hotel near Ninh Kieu Pier for easy transportation. The average room rate is 300,000 VND per night.

4. What to See and Do

4.1. Gian Gua – Can Tho

Address: Nhon Khanh Hamlet, Nhon Nghia, Phong Dien, Can Tho

This was originally a huge ecological area, home to centuries-old Gura trees. However, the total area of the entire grove is now only 2700m2. Not only a place for tourism and sightseeing, Gian Gura is also a pilgrimage site and a place for those who love the history of the country to learn about the indomitable struggle against invaders of the Mekong Delta people. When you enter Gian Gura, you will be immediately overwhelmed by the tall Gura trees with their intertwined roots. Under the canopy, this forest becomes extremely mysterious, very suitable for mystical, natural concepts. To get a beautiful photo, you can choose to walk along the trunk, weave through the roots,… During this “wandering” in Gian Gura, you will also encounter the temple of Ba Thuong Dong Co Hi. This temple is quite small but has a very special architecture, lying peacefully under layers of Gura roots.

4.2. Munir Ansay Khmer Pagoda

Address: 36 Hoa Binh Street, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho

Built in 1948, Munir Ansay Pagoda is one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in Can Tho today, attracting not only devotees but also tourists who come to check-in and take photos. This is also a magnificent Khmer-style pagoda that you cannot miss when visiting the “Western Capital”. Munir Ansay consists of three main architectural areas with a characteristic Cham temple style: a bright yellow roof, intricately carved pillars, and sculptures of many famous deities. You can see a very large statue of Buddha Shakyamuni in the main hall, and outside there are Reahu, dancing fairies,… Without having to go to Angkor Wat to check-in in a mysterious Cham style, you can dress in your desired concept, come to Munir Ansay, pose naturally and have some “lifetime” photos! However, don’t dress too revealingly because this is a very sacred pagoda of the Mekong Delta people.

4.3. Chin Hong Fruit Garden

Address: No. 398, Group 31, My Nhon, Phong Dien, Can Tho

The Mekong Delta is famous for its fruit-laden orchards, and Can Tho is no exception. On your upcoming trip, you can spend only 20,000 VND to visit a new fruit garden – Chin Hong, which is 13,000m2 wide with a variety of delicious fruits. Here, we can freely taste fresh rambutan, plum, strawberry, guava,… that have just been picked from the branch. However, please remember to wash them thoroughly before eating! Or while enjoying, take this moment of happiness in the Mekong Delta. In addition, throughout the garden, there are canals covered with green moss, extremely “poetic” to “live virtually” in the style of a gentle girl. After eating to your heart’s content, we will continue to participate in attractive activities such as catching fish in the canal, boat racing,… If you are a person who loves sports, please join in right away!

4.4. Can Tho Chinese Pagoda

Address: 32 Hai Ba Trung, Tan An, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho Besides Munir Ansay Pagoda.

Chua Ong is also a very famous tourist destination in Can Tho. Built in 1894, this pagoda has become a popular place for people in the area to visit and pray for peace. Chua Ong was recognized as a national historical relic in 1993. Unlike the Cham-style architecture of Munir Ansay, the entire architecture of Chua Ong is imbued with a characteristic Chinese atmosphere with red color spreading on the walls, complex green leaf roofs, dragon head carvings, cloud walls,… brightly. Stepping inside, the courtyard of Chua Ong is no less magnificent. In the fragrant smoke, a large skylight shines into the halls, highlighting the horizontal tablets, nine-story towers,… When coming to Chua Ong, besides the “traditional” check-in activity, you should ask for a fortune-telling stick or pray for peace for your family and yourself,… The sacredness of the pagoda will help you turn your prayers into reality.

4.5. Truc Lam Phuong Nam Pagoda

Address: My Nhon, My Khanh, Phong Dien, Can Tho

After visiting pagodas with foreign architectural influences, let’s return to Truc Lam Phuong Nam Pagoda. Construction began in 2013, and it is one of the largest pagodas in the Western Capital. Although it was only recently built, Truc Lam Phuong Nam Pagoda still has an ancient, weathered look that is rarely found in ancient structures.
This pagoda complex has a strong Ly-Tran architectural style, revealing the Vietnamese breath from the building materials: bricks, Du Sam wood, gray stone blocks,… The details are also decorated in the traditional way: Dharma wheels, characteristic curved roofs, both the roof and the color are still bright red.
The most valuable check-in areas at Truc Lam Phuong Nam Pagoda are the main hall, the three-door gate, the back gate, the wide lotus pond with a peaceful pavilion,… If you have come to Can Tho, please arrange to visit this pagoda!

4.6. Phat Hoc Pagoda

Address: 34 Hoa Binh, Tan An, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho

If you have to choose the most recommended tourist destination in Can Tho, Phat Hoc Pagoda will definitely be in the top. This building is located opposite Munir Ansay Pagoda, so you can “set a date” to visit Phat Hoc right after visiting the “Khmer land” next door.
With 5 floors and a majestic three-door gate at the entrance, Phat Hoc Pagoda welcomes a large number of visitors every day. In addition, people in Can Tho also often come here to offer incense, pray for peace for their families, and relieve stress in life… The architecture of Phat Hoc Pagoda follows a purely Vietnamese direction, the roof has a dragon and a special green color.
The must-visit check-in points are the carved wooden stair corners, the courtyard under the tree with red lanterns, the main hall, the three-door gate,… You will not have to pay a fee to visit Phat Hoc Pagoda but please dress neatly and modestly when visiting this place!

4.7. Cai Rang Floating Market

Address: 46 Hai Ba Trung, Tan An, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho

Famous for a long time, Cai Rang Floating Market is still a great place to visit if you are still wondering where to go in Can Tho. On the beautiful Cuu Long River, you will find many busy merchant boats, selling all kinds of goods and food,… All create a bustling and vibrant scene that is very “Mekong Delta”.
To get the best photos at Cai Rang Floating Market, you should visit this place early in the morning, around 4-5 am. Take a boat to the bridge with the words “Cai Rang Floating Market”, wait for the best moment of light, and you will have a perfect virtual living shot!
In the afternoon when the sun goes down, the floating market is also beautiful in a very unique way. Without having to pose or do anything difficult, just rent a boat and go on the river, wandering through the merchant boats, you will immediately feel the airy and cheerful atmosphere of Can Tho.

4.8. Ninh Kieu Wharf

Ninh Kieu Wharf is one of the most attractive and famous destinations in Can Tho city, the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. Located in the city center, Ninh Kieu Wharf stretches along the Hau River, with a unique architecture that harmonizes with nature and people.
Ninh Kieu Wharf is a gathering place for boatmen who take tourists to explore the riverside life. From here, tourists can take a boat trip to explore the Hau River estuary, admire the endless golden rice fields, and vibrant white flowers. This is also where the river and the city intersect, creating a beautiful landscape that attracts tourists every time they come to Can Tho.
There are also unique architectural works such as Quang Trung Bridge, the statue of Great Mercy Goddess, and Ninh Kieu Park. Quang Trung Bridge, with modern architecture, connects the Hau River bank to the other side of the city, becoming one of the symbols of Can Tho. The statue of Great Mercy Goddess, with a height of 21 meters, is the largest Buddha statue in the Mekong Delta. At Ninh Kieu Park, visitors can find many entertainment, culinary, and relaxation spots.
Not only an attractive tourist destination, Ninh Kieu Wharf also welcomes cargo ships, tourist boats, and speedboats connecting provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta. With the development of Can Tho’s economy and tourism, Ninh Kieu Wharf has become an economic, tourism, and transportation center of this region.
Coming to Ninh Kieu Wharf, tourists can enjoy not only beautiful scenery but also the opportunity to experience the culture, cuisine, and unique lifestyle of the people of the Mekong Delta.

4.9. Visiting noodle factories in Can Tho

When traveling to Can Tho, you will have the opportunity to visit noodle factories. Here, you will be introduced to the process of producing delicious noodles and buy them as gifts for friends and relatives. Not only that, but you will also be guided by the locals on how to make noodles and personally participate in the noodle production stage with local people.
Some notable noodle factories in Can Tho include:

• Sau Hoai Noodle Factory: Address: 476/14 kv7, Lo Vong Cung Road, An Binh Ward, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City. Opening hours for reference: From 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
• Que Toi Noodle Factory: Address: 2 Lo Yen Ha Street, Le Binh Ward, Cai Rang District, Can Tho City. Opening hours for reference: From 5:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
• Chin Cua Noodle Factory: Address: 474c/14a, KV 7, An Binh Ward, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City. Opening hours for reference: From 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

4.10. Can Tho Walking Bridge

Can Tho Walking Bridge, also known as Can Tho Love Bridge, is located at the intersection of the Hau River and Nam Can Canal, in Cai Khe Ward, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City. Can Tho Love Bridge is one of the city’s outstanding architectural works, built in 2010 and officially opened on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2011.
With a length of about 200 meters, Can Tho Love Bridge is designed in a modern and creative style, creating a wonderful walking and sightseeing space for people and tourists. The bridge is built with a steel and glass structure, creating a beautiful landscape when illuminated at night.
A special feature of Can Tho Love Bridge is that it creates a beautiful view for people and tourists to admire the panoramic view of Can Tho city, the riverside landscape, and the bustling port. Walking on Can Tho Love Bridge at sunset, you will be able to admire the most beautiful scenery of the city, with the sun setting over the Hau River.
With a prime location and unique architecture, Can Tho Love Bridge has become an attractive destination for those who love to explore and learn about local culture and architecture.

4.11. Bang Lang Egret Garden

Bang Lang Egret Garden is an interesting destination in Can Tho city, where you can enjoy the beauty of white egrets in a pristine and peaceful natural environment. Bang Lang Egret Garden is located in Binh Thuy area, about 12km from the city center. With an area of about 5 hectares, Bang Lang Egret Garden is managed and protected by the city’s authorities.
Coming to Bang Lang Egret Garden, you can admire the white egrets flying in the sky, or walk along the river and learn about the life of the birds. Bang Lang Egret Garden also has many other bird species such as herons, pelicans, storks, and many other birds. In addition, you can also admire the diverse and abundant plant species that create a diverse living environment for birds.
Bang Lang Egret Garden is a perfect destination for those who love nature and want to learn about the life of white egrets in a pristine and peaceful environment. If you are planning a trip to Can Tho, visit Bang Lang Egret Garden and experience the interesting things that this land of rivers and canals is hiding.

4.12. Ninh Kieu Night Market

If you are planning a trip to Can Tho city, you definitely cannot miss Ninh Kieu Night Market – one of the most exciting and vibrant destinations in this city.
Ninh Kieu Night Market opens from 5 pm to late at night, and is home to many vendors and shops selling food, clothing, accessories, household items, handicrafts, and many other products at affordable prices. At Ninh Kieu Night Market, you can enjoy Can Tho specialties such as banh xeo, hu tieu, banh mi, nem nuong, and other street foods.
In addition, Ninh Kieu Night Market is also a great place to experience the local culture of Can Tho people, with many activities such as folk songs, xam, cai luong, and folk games. You can also find unique art products of Can Tho people at the stalls in the Western Capital night market.
Ninh Kieu Night Market is one of the special and unmissable destinations of Can Tho city. With a cheerful and lively atmosphere, Ninh Kieu Night Market will be a great place to experience the culture and cuisine of this city. We encourage you to visit Ninh Kieu Night Market on your trip and enjoy the wonderful experiences here.

4.13. My Khanh Tourist Area

My Khanh Tourist Area is one of the famous tourist destinations in Can Tho, with a cool, comfortable space and many interesting activities for tourists to participate in. Located about 20km from the city center, My Khanh Tourist Area is a large ecological garden, including unique architectural works, diverse entertainment activities, and unique experiences.
The beauty of the Mekong Delta’s rivers and canals has a distinctive feature, from the land to the people, all blending together to form the unique cultural beauty of the Southern region. And if you love ecotourism in this peaceful countryside but can’t go everywhere, come to My Khanh Tourist Area in Can Tho to fully experience the land and people of the South.
Considered a miniature Southern Vietnam, My Khanh not only introduces the cultural beauty in architecture, art, and traditional crafts but also has fruit gardens with year-round fruits and dishes with a strong Southern flavor. Therefore, if you have the opportunity, remember to visit My Khanh to learn more about the land of “Nine Dragons” of Vietnam.
Address: Nhon My hamlet, My Khanh commune, Phong Dien district, Can Tho city
Ticket price: Entrance ticket for adults is 70,000 VND/ticket, for children is 30,000 VND/ticket.

4.14. Binh Thuy Ancient House

Binh Thuy Ancient House, located in Can Tho City, is a captivating historical and cultural destination. Built in the 19th century, Binh Thuy Ancient House showcases a unique blend of French architecture and traditional Western regional culture. With its grand architecture and distinctive classic beauty, Binh Thuy Ancient House has attracted numerous visitors with its exquisite details, from large windows and beautiful balconies to lush gardens.

Binh Thuy Ancient House – Can Tho also serves as a venue for various cultural, artistic, and tourism activities, providing an ideal space to learn about the history and cultural traditions of the Mekong Delta. Visiting Binh Thuy Ancient House, Can Tho tour visitors will experience a peaceful, beautiful atmosphere and discover colorful stories of the past.

5. What to Eat

5.1. Mixed noodle salad (Bun goi da)

This dish has a flavor quite similar to bun mam. The broth is sour with tamarind and has a distinctive aroma of fermented fish sauce. This is the highlight that makes the dish more recognizable.
In addition to white noodles, a bowl also has red peeled shrimp. Many places add a little shredded coconut or salted duck egg for a richer flavor. The price of a bowl is 30,000 VND.

5.2. Crispy rice noodle pizza (Pizza hu tieu)

This is the name of a deep-fried rice noodle cake. Before processing, the rice noodles are dried, marinated with seasoning powder, and pepper for aroma. The rice noodles are immersed in hot oil, turned over to both sides until golden brown, and then sprinkled with chopped green onions. A suggested address is Sau Hoai noodle factory, area 7, An Binh ward, Ninh Kieu district.

5.3. Rice noodle with grilled pork rolls (Banh hoi nem nuong)

Banh hoi is eaten with grilled pork rolls, various vegetables such as sour guava, cucumber, pineapple, green banana, banana flower, pickled onion, chili, lemongrass… Take a little of each, roll it up in a piece of banh hoi, along with grilled pork, crushed peanuts, and dip it in a bowl of dipping sauce that has been mixed with enough sour, spicy, salty, and sweet flavors. In Ninh Kieu, diners can eat at Thanh Van restaurant at 17 Hoa Binh Boulevard; Co Rom restaurant at 14 Tran Khanh Du or Anh Map at 18 Nguyen An Ninh.

5.4. Fermented bean curd duck (Vit nau chao)

In addition to porridge, duck salad, roasted duck, duck braised with lemongrass, duck fried in coconut water…, duck cooked with chao is also a famous dish in Can Tho. Usually, the restaurant will serve a pot of broth for eating duck cooked with chao and various types of meat according to the customer’s request, along with noodles, vermicelli, and vegetables like eating hot pot. In Can Tho, Thanh Giao restaurant on Ly Tu Trong street is one of the famous addresses for this dish. The price is from 150,000 VND for a 2-person serving.

5.5. Pan-fried field mouse with fish sauce ( chuot dong chien nuoc mam)

This dish is quite popular in Can Tho, especially in restaurants specializing in Western specialties in the city center, with a price of about 75,000 VND per plate.

5.6. Shrimp and egg salad (Goi tom trung)

This special salad is very attractive when combined with shrimp, eggs, and pig skin. When ordered, the seller will add shredded papaya, a few shrimp, pig skin, a few slices of egg, a little dried shrimp. Sprinkle with a little herb, crushed peanuts, and finally pour a few spoonfuls of fish sauce with lemon, garlic, and chili.
In addition to fruits and seafood, Can Tho also has some other specialties you should try such as: hu tieu go, banh tet la cam, banh xeo co hu dua, nem nuong Cai Rang, banh tam bi, lau bun Phu Sa, banh cong…

Cre: Khuong Nha/vnexpress