Are you looking for the top 30 things to do in Can Tho on your Vietnam adventure? If so, we have got you covered. Read on for the best activities, sights, and attractions that you cannot miss on your next trip to Vietnam.
- Why Visit Can Tho?
- Top 30 Things to do in Can Tho
- 1. Cai Rang Floating Market
- 2. Visit a Mekong Delta Orchard
- 3. Make Noodles at a Noodle Factory
- 4. Muoi Cuong Cacao Farm Can Tho
- 5. Take a Bike Tour of the Mekong Delta Villages
- 6. Binh Thuy Ancient House
- 7. Binh Thuy Temple
- 8. Binh Thuy Market
- 9. Pho Tho-Ba Bo Flower Village Can Tho
- 10. Take an Overnight River Boat Trip on the Mekong Delta
- 11. Cruise the Mekong Delta from Vietnam to Cambodia
- 12. Explore Ninh Kieu Park
- 13. Admire the Ho Chi Minh Monument
- 14. Watch Street Performers on Saturday Walking Street
- 15. Visit Ninh Kieu Pedestrian Bridge at Night
- 16. Explore Ninh Kieu Whalf
- 17. Have Dinner at a Floating Restaurant
- 18. Visit Ninh Kieu Night Market
- 19. Try Local Can Tho Cuisine
- 20. Take a Street Food Tour
- 21. Take a Cooking Class
- 22. Watch the Sun Set From a Rooftop Bar or Restaurant
- 23. Take in Mekong Delta Sunset Cruise
- 24. Visit Truc Lam Phong Nam Zen Monastery
- 25. Visit Tra Su Forest and Chau Doc Town
- 26. Kick Back at a Coffee Shop
- 27. Take the Mai Linh Express Ferry from Can Tho to Con Dao
- 28. Visit Kham Lon Can Tho Prison
- 29. See Can Tho Museum
- 30. Visit the Museum of Tarot
- Where to Stay in Can Tho
- Where is Can Tho Vietnam
- Weather in Can Tho
- Best Time to Visit Can Tho
- Last Words on Things to do in Can Tho
Why Visit Can Tho?
Many people visiting Vietnam will take a quick Mekong Delta day trip from Ho Chi Minh City. Staying in Can Tho for a few days allows you to immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of the mighty Mekong Delta.
Whether trying local dishes at an early morning floating market or exploring quiet canals and peaceful villages, a visit to this vibrant Mekong Delta city has a lot to offer on a trip to Vietnam.
Top 30 Things to do in Can Tho
You will be surprised by the number of things to do in Can Tho. How many you see will depend on your length of stay. Here we share thirty Can Tho attractions which can be taken either independently or with a tour.
1. Cai Rang Floating Market
Wake up early to see one of Can Tho’s most famous attractions, the Cai Rang floating market, the largest market on the Mekong Delta. The boat trip from Can Tho to Cai Rang floating market takes around forty minutes and is the best vantage point to watch the sun rise over the Mekong Delta.
As you make your way down the river you will pass an assortment of river traffic including wide transport barges, speedy passenger ferries and small sampans.
Once at the floating market you will see large junks filled with an array of produce including pumpkins, watermelons, and pineapples. Many of these junks double as family homes as the vendors spend their life living on the river.
The market is a hive of activity as sampans row from junk to junk buying the freshest produce. Here you can enjoy a breakfast of local noodles and get a glimpse of Mekong Delta life as you drift in and around the market.
Click here for tours to the Cai Rang floating market
2. Visit a Mekong Delta Orchard
Can Tho’s tropical climate yield a delicious variety of tropical fruits and they can be seen and tasted on a trip to a Mekong Delta fruit farm.
Explore the grounds and see dragon fruit growing from cactus fronds and spiky jack fruit drooping heavily from the tree amid peaceful gardens and ponds filled with tiny fish.
Click here for Mekong Delta Orchard tours
3. Make Noodles at a Noodle Factory
Drift down the quiet canals of the Mekong Delta to a local rice noodle factory. The noodles come in a range of colours and the process begins by making your own rice paper.
Noodles are cooked and shaped into a large disc and once dried has the texture of plastic. The noodles are then shredded or used for pizza.
Check here for tours of the quiet canals and noodle factory
4. Muoi Cuong Cacao Farm Can Tho
If you have ever wondered how chocolate is made make sure to visit the cacao farm in Can Tho. Here you can learn the complexities of chocolate making as the farm takes you through every step of the process.
Muoi Cuong Cacao Farm is an interesting place to visit and get ready to be rewarded with the freshest hot chocolate ever made.
Click here for tour to the Muoi Cuong Cacao Farm
5. Take a Bike Tour of the Mekong Delta Villages
One of the best ways to plunge into the landscapes and culture of the Mekong Delta is to take a cycling tour. Enjoy a day cycling through the countryside and peaceful backwater villages to meet the locals and learn about daily life on the Mekong Delta.
Click here for bike tour of the Mekong Delta Villages
6. Binh Thuy Ancient House
Binh Thuy Ancient House was built in 1870 in the French architectural style and has been owned by the Duong family for generations.
The house is a colourful fusion of European and Vietnamese character, where ornate arches and brightly painted shuttered doors meet an interior filled with antique Vietnamese and Asian artefact.
Binh Thuy Ancient House is also famous for being the film location of “The Lover” a French movie which is based on a novel by Marguerite Duras. While there make sure to stop off for a coffee and admire the art on display at the nearby Hoai An Art Gallery.
Check here for tours including the Binh Thuy Ancient House
7. Binh Thuy Temple
Originally built in 1844 the Binh Thuy Temple is dedicated to Thanh Hoang, a deity that is said to bring good fortune and protect the village from disasters.
The temple has a golden hued exterior and sits in a serene setting which is lightly shaded with trees and flowers. Inside the alter room is draped with rich red and gold wall hangings which depict dragons and religious symbols.
Click here for tours that include the Binh Thuy Temple
8. Binh Thuy Market
Binh Thuy Market is a short walk down the road from Binh Thuy Ancient House. Here you can visit an authentic Vietnamese market which sells a fabulous range of fresh fruit and vegetables, homewares, flowers and much more.
9. Pho Tho-Ba Bo Flower Village Can Tho
If you love flowers and want a splash of colour a trip to Ba Bo flower village is a must. The village is in the Binh Thuy district of Can Tho and is around fifteen-minutes’ drive from central Can Tho. Visit the village between October and January when the flowers are at their best.
10. Take an Overnight River Boat Trip on the Mekong Delta
If you have more time on the Mekong Delta, make sure to take a riverboat trip. A popular option is to take an overnight Bassac Mekong Delta cruise on a converted rice barge.
The Bassac visits a variety of Mekong Delta destinations including Can Tho, local villages, the Tra On and Cai Rang floating markets. Bassac cruises have pickups from Ho Chi Minh City, allowing easy access to all the attractions of the Mekong Delta.
Click here for overnight Mekong Delta cruise pricing
11. Cruise the Mekong Delta from Vietnam to Cambodia
For the ultimate Mekong Delta experience consider taking a longer tour beginning in Ho Chi Minh City and cruising from Can Tho to Cambodia.
This luxurious cruise sails north from Can Tho, exploring an assortment of Mekong Delta locations before crossing the border into Cambodia and visiting the city of Phnom Penh and the stunning temples of Siem Reap.
Check pricing and reviews for Mekong Delta Vietnam to Cambodia tour
12. Explore Ninh Kieu Park
One of the best places to view the Mekong Delta is from Ninh Kieu Park. From here you can watch boats of all sizes busily making their way up and down the river.
This tree lined park stretches along the banks of the Hau River on the Mekong Delta and is a popular place for families to meet at the end of the day. Of an evening the park magically transforms as colourfully lit flowers decorate the walkways of the river.
13. Admire the Ho Chi Minh Monument
Taking centre stage in Ninh Kieu Park is the gigantic golden statue of President Ho Chi Minh. Although Ho Chi Minh died in 1969, the Vietnamese people still revere him, and this can be seen in the ceremonies which often take place in the square.
14. Watch Street Performers on Saturday Walking Street
From 5 pm to 10 pm every Saturday, Hai Ba Trung Street is closed off to traffic and is often the place to see young street performers dancing to the latest beats.
The Hai Ba Trung Street stretches along Ninh Kieu Park and provides a relaxed atmosphere and allows for easy access to the small family run restaurants, coffee shops and bars that line the street.
15. Visit Ninh Kieu Pedestrian Bridge at Night
In the evening, the Ninh Kieu Pedestrian Bridge comes alive with light as giant lotus flowers flash and change colour guiding people across the Cai Khe Inlet to the Victoria Can Tho Resort. The bridge is a spectacular sight to see and one of Can Tho’s most popular attractions.
16. Explore Ninh Kieu Whalf
Ninh Kieu Wharf edges Ninh Kieu Park and has views overlooking the Mekong Delta. Here you can see a myriad of rivercraft and book independent boat tours of the area. Also lining the wharf is the Can Tho Market and a collection of large floating restaurants.
17. Have Dinner at a Floating Restaurant
One of the best ways to experience the Mekong Delta is to have dinner on a floating restaurant. These large brightly illuminated boats sell a variety of sumptuous seafood dishes and light up the night as they cruise up and down the river.
18. Visit Ninh Kieu Night Market
The Ninh Kieu Night Market is across the road from the Can Tho Market. The market is held nightly and sells a delicious selection of street food and a wide variety of souvenirs, bags, toys, and clothing.
19. Try Local Can Tho Cuisine
Vietnam is home to some of the most delicious cuisine in the world and Can Tho adds its distinct flavour to the mix. The Mekong Delta is known as the rice bowl of Vietnam for its abundance of fresh produce and fish.
Pull up a chair at one of the many streetside restaurants which sell homestyle dishes such as Ca Kho To (braised fish), Banh Khot (mini rice pancake) or try a Com Chay Kho Quet (braised scorched rice).
20. Take a Street Food Tour
Taking a street food tour allows you to learn the hidden stories behind Can Tho cuisine. Not only is it a chance to try some of the tastiest food around but also a way to experience local sights, sounds and characters. Taking a street food tour should be on the top of your list of things to do in Can Tho.
Click here for street food tour of Can Tho
21. Take a Cooking Class
What better way to immerse yourself in Vietnamese culture than by taking a cooking class in Can Tho. Enjoy the hustle and bustle of a local market and marvel at the range of exotic produce on display.
Learn the intricacies of Vietnamese cooking and enjoy the fruits of your labour as you dine with your newfound cooking partners.
Click here for authentic Vietnamese cooking class in Can Tho
22. Watch the Sun Set From a Rooftop Bar or Restaurant
There is nothing better than watching the sun set with a cool beer or cocktail with a view overlooking the Mekong Delta.
Two of the best places to watch the bright lights of Can Tho is from the Ninh Kieu Skybar in the Ninh Kieu Riverside Hotel and the L’Escale Sky Garden & Lounge in the Nam Bo Boutique Hotel.
23. Take in Mekong Delta Sunset Cruise
If early morning cruises are not your thing, consider taking a Mekong Delta sunset cruise. This is the perfect way to see hidden canals and watch the sun go down over the Mekong Delta with local food and drinks.
Click here for a Mekong Delta sunset cruise
24. Visit Truc Lam Phong Nam Zen Monastery
Truc Lam Phuong Nam Zen Monastery is a massive Buddhist temple complex set amid tranquil gardens and scenic ponds.
Within the monastery you will find towering pagodas and walkways lined with beautiful Lady Buddha statues. The most impressive is the main temple which features decorative golden pillars and a large bronze statue of Buddha.
The monastery is located outside the main city area of Can Tho in the Phong Dien District, the easiest way to get there is by taxi.
25. Visit Tra Su Forest and Chau Doc Town
For a unique Mekong Delta experience, take a day trip to Chau Doc Town which is a wonderful place to learn about the Cham culture of the area.
In addition, nature lovers will be in their glory, spotting a variety of wildlife amid the flooded waters of the Tra Su cajuput forest.
Click here for tour to Tra Su Forest and Chau Doc Town
26. Kick Back at a Coffee Shop
Vietnam is renowned for its coffee and is the second largest coffee producer in the world after Brazil. You will find a fantastic range of coffee shops throughout the city, and they are the perfect place to relax and cool down after a long morning of sightseeing.
27. Take the Mai Linh Express Ferry from Can Tho to Con Dao
Take the Mai Linh Express Ferry to the island of Con Dao from Can Tho. The ferry departs from Can Tho’s Ninh Kieu Port at 7:30 am.
Con Dao is a collection of fifteen small islands with the main island of Con Son being the only one that is inhabited. Con Dao is known for its secluded beaches, snorkelling and hiking in the Con Dao National Park.
You will find a selection of Con Dao hotels with one of the best being the Six Senses Con Dao – Turtle Island Paradise Resort. Departures from Con Dao leave from Ben Dam Port at 13:00 pm.
28. Visit Kham Lon Can Tho Prison
Kham Lon Can Tho Prison is a French Colonial prison complex which was built to house Vietnamese dissidents wanting independence from French rule.
The museum has lifelike displays depicting the conditions of the prison and a collection of memorabilia and personal items owned by the prisoners. The Kham Lon Can Tho Prison is a short walk from Ninh Kieu Park.
29. See Can Tho Museum
The Can Tho Museum is a fabulous place to learn the history of Can Tho and the surrounding region. Here you can travel through a series of time periods, including the French colonial and Vietnam War eras.
30. Visit the Museum of Tarot
For something completely different make sure to pay a visit to the Museum of Tarot in Can Tho. This museum has a host of weird and wonderful displays which depict the mysteries and history of tarot.
Where to Stay in Can Tho
There is a broad selection of accommodation in Can Tho. These range from homestays, hotels, and luxury resorts, here are just three of our favourites.
Victoria Can Tho Resort
The Victoria Can Tho Resort is a majestic French colonial style luxury resort which hugs the banks of the Hau River on the Mekong Delta.
Rooms and suites are light and airy and decorated in the Indochinese style. The resort is surrounded by beautifully manicured gardens and walkways with scenic river views.
The Victoria Resort Can Tho features restaurants and bars, two pools and a spa. The Ninh Kieu Pedestrian Bridge and the attractions of Ninh Kieu Park are within walking distance of the resort.
Click here for Victoria Can Tho Resort prices
Nam Bo Boutique Hotel
The Nam Bo Boutique Hotel sits across from the Ho Chi Minh Monument in Ninh Kieu Park and has views overlooking the Hau River on the Mekong Delta.
The hotel rooms are decorated in a charming old world Vietnamese style, with some rooms featuring separate sitting rooms. The hotel has a choice of restaurants including the L’Escale Sky Garden & Lounge.
Nam Bo Boutique hotel is within walking distance to many Can Tho tourist attractions including the Ninh Kieu Night Market, the Kham Lon Can Tho Prison and Ninh Kieu Pedestrian Bridge.
Click here for Nam Bo Boutique Hotel prices
Mekong Rustic Can Tho
If you are looking for a rustic home stay in Can Tho, look no further than Mekong Rustic Can Tho. The homestay is 11km (7 Miles) from central Can Tho and is set within a rural area surrounded by gardens, canals, orchards, and farmland.
The homestay offers the chance to unwind amid peaceful gardens and explore the hidden gems of the Mekong Delta.
Click here for Mekong Rustic Can Tho prices
Where is Can Tho Vietnam
Can Tho is the largest city on the Mekong Delta. The city is 165km (102 Miles) south of Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.
The drive time from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho is around 3 hours and can be reached by bus, taxi, or private transfer.
Click here for transport options
Weather in Can Tho
Can Tho has a tropical climate with a wet monsoon season and hot sticky dry season. The wettest months are between July and November with December and January being the coolest months of the dry season.
Best Time to Visit Can Tho
The best time to visit Can Tho is between December and June as they are the driest months. Keep in mind that the hottest months are from March to June.
Last Words on Things to do in Can Tho
There you have it, our top 30 things to do in Can Tho, the heart of the Mekong Delta. If you have plenty of time on your trip to Vietnam or planning your second trip to this fascinating country, make sure to consider Can Tho as a destination to visit.
