The only Can Tho Travel Guide you need (Updated 2022)

Welcome to my complete Can Tho Travel Guide updated in July 2022!

As always, I endeavor to include as many tips from locals as possible in all travel guides that I share.

Many readers have benefited from these tips before, so I hope you will also find this article useful for your upcoming trip to Can Tho Vietnam.

Let’s dive in!

Where is Can Tho in Vietnam? | Can Tho Travel Guide

Situated 170km from Saigon on the south bank of Hau River, Can Tho is the largest city in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, hence its nickname “Tay Do” (meaning capital of the southwest region).

Known as the delta’s center of economics and technology, Can Tho hosts some of the best universities and industrial parks in the region.

Top things to do in Can Tho

Can Tho is most famous for its Cai Rang Floating Market where vendors sell everything from fruits, breakfasts, and clothes to household items from their boats on the Hau River.

Visitors to Can Tho also love to explore its orchards which offer a variety of tropical fruits such as rambutans, mangos, dragon fruits, durians, mangosteens, and guavas.

Other popular things to do in Can Tho include visiting Binh Thuy Ancient House, trying specialty food, taking a boat tour, learning to make chocolate at Muoi Cuong Cacao Farm, catching fish on Con Islet, and so on.

Check out my article on 28 Ultimate Things to Do in Can Tho for more detail.

How to get to Can Tho?

Can Tho is easily accessible by road and air.

From Hanoi to Can Tho

You can take a 2-hour flight from Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi and arrive at Can Tho International Airport. A taxi ride from the airport to the city center takes roughly 20 minutes (12 km) and costs around VND 180,000.

Bamboo Airways is my recommended airline for domestic travel in Vietnam. They’re more affordable than Vietnam Airlines and much less likely to delay than Vietjet Airs. Complimentary snacks and water are offered on all Bamboo Airways flights.

From Ho Chi Minh to Can Tho

It’s most convenient to take a 4-hour limousine ride or sleeping bus from Mien Tay Bus Station in Saigon to Can Tho Central Bus Station for as low as VND 150,000 per person.

Futa Bus is my most reliable transport company in Vietnam. Their limousines/buses from Ho Chi Minh to Can Tho depart almost every hour.

Tips from locals: The Futa Bus office in Can Tho also offers a free transfer service from the bus station to your hotel. After arriving, simply approach the Transfer Service Table (Trung chuyển) and show them the address of your hotel in Can Tho so that they can advise which transfer car you can take.

How to get around Can Tho

If you have a Vietnam sim card, download the Grab app on your phone. It’s similar to Uber in which you can book a taxi or motorbike taxi (xe ôm) and see the price beforehand.

Tips from locals:

To get around the city center, you can also rent a motorbike for as low as VND 100,000 per day. Simply ask the front desk at your hotel or homestay for this.

If you’re a bit far from the city center, it often takes a long time to catch a Grab taxi. Trust me, we used to wait for Grab at Truc Lam Zen Monastery for 20 minutes with no matching car in sight.

You can then call Taxi Khanh Cuong at 02923 868686, and tell them where you are and whether you need a 4-seater or 7-seater. Khanh Cuong is a pretty reliable taxi company in Can Tho and often arrives within 5 minutes after your call.

Best time to visit Can Tho

Jan-Feb and Apr-May are the best time to visit Can Tho, although the city is worth visiting any time during the year. Let me explain why.

Can Tho Dry Season

December to April is the dry season in Can Tho, allowing you to conveniently explore all the outdoor attractions.

Jan-Feb is around the Tet Holiday when flowers bloom and the weather is not too hot. You’ll get the chance to see Can Tho in its prettiest mode with flower decorations on the streets, traditional celebrations at any home and local delicacies offered almost everywhere you go.

Can Tho Rainy Season

May to November is the rainy season in Can Tho. Since most things to do in Can Tho are outdoors, you won’t want to risk visiting this city when it’s most likely to rain.

That being said, it doesn’t mean it will rain all day every day in Can Tho during this time. The rains usually last for a couple of hours each day, several days per week. You’ll still have ample time to explore the city’s best attractions.

However, April to May is a great time to visit orchards in Can Tho as this time is the harvest season of some popular fruits such as durians and mangosteens.

What to eat in Can Tho

These might not be what you’ll find in a typical Can Tho Travel Guide. But trust me, they all taste delicious!

• Bánh hỏi Út Dzach (Fine rice vermicelli at Ut Dzach – some 15 km from Can Tho city center)
• Bánh tét / Long sticky rice cakes. They come in different versions with multiple colors and fillings, including green beans, pork, and sometimes also salted egg yolks.
• Bánh xèo / Vietnamese pancakes. The Can Tho version is rich in coconut!
• Bánh cống / Cong Cake
• Ốc nướng tiêu / Grilled snails with pepper. OMG these are sooo yummy!
• Traditional family meal at Hồi Đó eatery (54 Trần Bình Trọng Street). Must-try!
• Bánh tằm bì for breakfast. A tasty mix of rice noodles, coconut milk, fish sauce, meat balls, and vegetables.
• Gỏi cuốn / Fresh spring rolls dipped in a special dark sauce. Yummy!
• Street food at one of Can Tho’s night markets

Can Tho Hotels | Can Tho Homestay | Where to stay in Can Tho

Upscale hotels and resorts in Can Tho

Azerai Can Tho

Situated on Con Au Islet, Azerai Can Tho is a tranquil retreat with spacious rooms and villas overlooking the lush green gardens, infinity pool, or serene river. Room rates start from VND 2,500,000 per night.

Vinpearl Hotel Can Tho

A 5-star hotel with views of both the vibrant city and the tranquil river, Vinpearl Hotel Can Tho features 262 modern rooms and suites starting from VND 1,900,000 per night.

Can Tho Ecolodge

Can Tho Ecolodge features 12 thatched cottages with natural wooden bathtubs and panoramic-view balconies.

The resort prides itself on protecting the environment and preserving the local culture while providing guests with the best service. This is evidenced by their use of sustainable construction materials, renewable energy, and recycling system, as well as their commitment to hiring underprivileged residents amongst the community.

Affordable hotels in Can Tho

TTC Hotel Can Tho

Situated at a central location, TTC Hotel Can Tho is a decent 4-star hotel featuring well-furnished rooms overlooking the bustling city or the serene Hau river. Room rates start from VND 900,000 per night, including a buffet breakfast. Its Alfresco Cafe, serving a selection of cocktails and other alcoholic drinks, offers panoramic views of the river.

Homestay in Can Tho

Song Ngu Pisces Homestay

Located near Muoi Cuong Cacao Farm, Truc Lam Phuong Nam Zen Monastery, and some of the best orchards in Can Tho, Song Ngu Pieces Homestay features cozy rooms surrounded by a lush green garden. Breakfast is complimentary and served on the patio with a peaceful river view.

Mekong Daniel Can Tho Homestay

A peaceful oasis from the bustling city center, Mekong Daniel Can Tho Homestay features comfy bungalows surrounded by fruit trees and lovely canals. The hosts Daniel and Jenny are super friendly and can accommodate to all of your requests.

Magnolia’s Can Tho

Situated within walking distance from Ninh Kieu Wharf, Magnolia’s Can Tho offers beautifully decorated rooms and studios with private kitchens and balconies.

Travel from Can Tho | Can Tho Travel Guide

From Can Tho to Con Dao

Take a Mai Linh Express Boat from Can Tho and you’ll land in Con Dao after only 4 hours.

Their boats depart from Ninh Kieu Wharf in Can Tho at 7:30 AM and return from Ben Dam Harbor in Con Dao at 1 PM. The cost per person is around VND 750,000 one way and VND 1,500,000 round trip. Booking can be made online via their website or hotline at 083 692 8888.

From Can Tho to Soc Trang

Soc Trang makes a great day trip from Can Tho! It is best known as a province where the Kinh, Hoa, and Khmer people all live together peacefully with respect to each other’s culture and customs.

There are lots of beautiful pagodas to visit and a variety of delicious local cuisine to try in Soc Trang.

There is no direct bus from Can Tho to Soc Trang, so this is what you can do.

First, call Futa Bus at 19006919. Say you want to make a reservation for x seats on the bus from Can Tho to Ca Mau (with date and time), but get off in Soc Trang. Let them know your hotel address so they can pick you up, usually 1 hour before the departure time.

Once arrived at Can Tho Central Bus Station, go to the counter and tell them your name. Repeat that you want to stop in Soc Trang, make payment, and get your ticket (VND 125,000 per person).

On the bus, remind the bus assistant once more to drop you off in Soc Trang. That’s it!

Tips from locals: There are 2 Futa Bus offices in Soc Trang. If you want to come back to Can Tho, go to the one at Ngã ba An Trạch to buy tickets.

You can also hail a taxi in Can Tho and ask them for a quotation for a day trip to Soc Trang. I got a quote for VND 800,000 one way and VND 1,200,000 round trip, which is pretty affordable if travelling in a group of 3 or more.

Summary of Can Tho Travel Guide

Is there anything else you wish to know before visiting Can Tho?

Let me know by commenting below. I’ll try my best to update this Can Tho Travel Guide regularly so that future visitors can make the most of their time in this lovely city!

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