Located in the Mekong Delta, this active trade center draws visitors to its floating markets, riverside restaurants and Buddhist temples. Local river shrimp and coffee add to its appeal.
Can Tho, home to 1.5 million people, is the main commercial center of Vietnam's Mekong Delta. Early morning boat vendors sell mangoes and dragon fruit at Cai Rang floating market, while small wooden vessels navigate the city's narrow canals past rice paper workshops and fruit orchards. You'll find Chinese-style temples like the 19th-century Ong Pagoda, and colonial buildings such as the 1870 Binh Thuy house with its mix of Vietnamese and French elements.
Getting to Can Tho
You can fly to Can Tho International Airport from Hanoi, Da Nang, or Phu Quoc. From Ho Chi Minh City, take a bus at the Western Bus Station - they depart every 1-2 hours and take 4 hours to reach Can Tho. Many visitors also arrive by boat through the Mekong Delta waterways.
Weather and Seasons
Plan your visit between December and April to avoid rain and enjoy cooler temperatures. The wet season runs from May through November, with heavy rains from July to September. The temperature stays consistent at around 27°C (81°F) throughout the year, peaking in April.
Exploring the Floating Markets
At Cai Rang market, arrive before sunrise to see hundreds of boats trading produce. Look for the long poles (bẹo) rising from boats - they display what each vendor sells. The market is busiest from 5:30 AM to 7:00 AM. The smaller Phong Dien market opens at 4:00 AM, where local vendors trade smaller quantities of goods.
Canals and River Tours
Take a wooden boat through the narrow channels to see daily life along Can Tho's waterways. You'll pass family homes, stop at fruit orchards, and visit workshops where families make rice paper. Morning tours often include both the floating markets and these riverside communities.
What to Eat
Can Tho's location in the Mekong Delta means fresh ingredients year-round. Try hủ tiếu (rice noodle soup) or bánh xèo (crispy pancakes filled with pork and bean sprouts) at the food stalls along De Tham Street, which comes alive with dinner crowds each evening.
Buddhist Temples
The 19th-century Ong Temple has curved roof tiles and red columns typical of Chinese temple design. At Quang Duc Pagoda, walk through prayer halls and gardens filled with Buddhist statues. The Pitu Khosa Rangsay temple reflects Khmer Buddhist design and serves Can Tho's Khmer community.
Colonial Architecture
The Binh Thuy house dates from 1870 and combines Vietnamese and French designs. Inside, you'll see carved wooden panels, decorative floor tiles, and furniture from the colonial period. The garden contains plants that were popular among wealthy southern Vietnamese families in the 19th century.
