Cần Thơ is labeled as the land of wealth and happiness, also one of the famous tourism centers of the Mekong Delta. Those who prefer exotic lifestyles and unique cultures are definitely curious about the delta in Vietnam. If you are one of them, don’t miss out a chance to explore Cần Thơ by an ideal trip based on the following travel guide. It’s known that exploring pulsating perspectives mingled with traditional features right in the city center will be an impressive point of the whole journey.
Where is Cần Thơ?
As mentioned above, Cần Thơ City is the heart as well as a tourism center of the Mekong Delta. The city borders some provinces, such as Sóc Trăng, Hậu Giang, Kiên Giang, and An Giang. It’s also separated from Trà Vinh and Vĩnh Long Provinces by the river Hậu. Cần Thơ is often reached after visitors leave Bến Tre and Tiền Giang Provinces. It’s the middle point of a normal 3-day Mekong Delta tour from Bến Tre – Tiền Giang, Cần Thơ to An Giang.
How to get to Cần Thơ?
Because Cần Thơ is the heart of the Mekong Delta and a common hotpot for both international and domestic visitors, it’s easily accessible to this city from Ho Chi Minh City. There are two main ways to Cần Thơ City:
The first one is by bus/coach from Miền Tây Bus Station to the city center of Cần Thơ. You can book a seat from one of the prestigious bus/coach lines, comprised of Phương Trang, Mai Linh, and Kum Ho. It’s about 180 km between two points.
The other is by air, which is supposed to be more convenient and easier. You fly from Tân Sơn Nhất Airport to Cần Thơ Airport, just 8km from the center. If you are in Đà Lạt City, just catch a flight at Liên Khương Airport, and in Hanoi Capital, arrive at Nội Bài Airport.
When is the best time to visit Cần Thơ City?
Cần Thơ lies in the zone of tropical climate, so you will be happy to know that the city can be visited all year long. It has a rainy season and a dry season, and each of the seasons bears its own distinctive features. The rainy season lasts from May to October, when you will find special food in abundance. The dry season is when you can leisurely ramble in lush orchards and enjoy tropical fruits.
Where to stay in Cần Thơ?
Cần Thơ City has an abundance of resorts, hotels, and hostels for overnight stays. It’s not too hard to find the accommodations of high-quality services throughout the city. The following list consists of the best ones you can choose from.
Vinpearl Hotel
Address: 209, 30/4 Street, Xuân Khánh Ward, Ninh Kiều District, Cần Thơ City
Tel: 0292 376 1888 & 0903 109 455
Mường Thanh Luxury Hotel
Address: Cái Khế Islet, Cái Khế Ward, Ninh Kiều District, Cần Thơ City
Tel: 0292 3688 888
Iris Hotel
Address: 224, 30/4 Street, Xuân Khánh Ward, Ninh Kiều District, Cần Thơ City
Tel: 02923 686 969
Victoria Cần Thơ Resort
Address: 224, 30/4 Street, Xuân Khánh Ward, Ninh Kiều District, Cần Thơ City
Tel: 02923 686 969
Holiday One Hotel
Address: 59, Phạm Ngọc Thạch Street, Cái Khế Ward, Ninh Kiều District, Cần Thơ City
Tel: 02973 760 670 & 0909 443 737 & 0911 601 069
Ninh Kiều 2 Hotel
Address: 03, Hòa Bình Avenue, Tân An Ward, Ninh Kiều District, Cần Thơ City
Tel: 0292 379 999 & 0984 311 377
Vạn Phát Riverside Hotel
Address: 02, Nguyễn Văn Cừ Street, Cái Khế Ward, Ninh Kiều District, Cần Thơ City
Tel: 0292 364 5645
TTC Hotel
Address: 02, Hai Bà Trưng Street, Tân An Ward, Ninh Kiều District, Cần Thơ City
Tel: 02923 812 210
Ninh Kiều Riverside Hotel
Address: 02, Hai Bà Trưng Street, Ninh Kiều District, Cần Thơ City
Tel: 0292 378 9789
Azerai Cần Thơ Resort
Address: Hưng Phú Ward, Cái Răng District, Cần Thơ City
Tel: 0292 3627 888
The best places to visit in Cần Thơ City
It’s sure that you will search for a lot of information about common spots and fascinating things to experience before beginning a trip to Cần Thơ City and wonder which ones are well worth considering. Don’t get worried as this travel guide will provide you with the best advice.
Cái Răng Floating Market
Cái Răng Floating Market, Cần Thơ is one of the symbols of the Mekong Delta. It’s also regarded as a captivating cultural feature you cannot find anywhere else. A boat trip along waterways of the market will entitle you to touch the most exquisite characteristics in the life and culture of locals. This is also a chance to understand more the history of exchanging commodities as well as doing business on water. Occasionally, activities to attract customers and tourists on the river will stun you while you are moving around for leisure.
Phong Điền Floating Market
Another floating market you should visit in Cần Thơ City is Phong Điền. You can experience exciting activities when on a visit to Phong Điền, such as having a sip of coffee and savoring rice noodle soups on boats, getting to know about the lifestyle and cultural features of people in the wet area, and witnessing the bustling prospect of locals trading their farm products and goods. It’s sure that a boat trip to the market will contribute to your beautiful memories of Vietnam.
Mỹ Khánh Tourist Attraction
What is supposed to be the most exciting during an excursion to Mỹ Khánh Tourist Attraction is a list of traditional games in which you can try becoming a genuine farmer, e.g. catching fish by bamboo traps. This attraction is designed as a small farm including fruit gardens, mini scenes, fish ponds, canals whose two sides are full of fruit trees, and restaurants where special food is served.
Bình Thủy Ancient House
Bình Thủy Ancient House is an outstanding destination you ought not to ignore when on a trip to Cần Thơ City. Designed in French architecture but decorated with Asian furnishings, the house seems to be a special fusion of different cultures, so it retains values of the era of renaissance decades ago. If you are a person who loves history and antiques, don’t miss out on a chance to visit it.
Ninh Kiều Pier
Labeled as a symbol of Cần Thơ City, Ninh Kiều Pier is also a must-visit place of the city tour. What you will do there are walking in the park nearby, soaking up the fresh air, enjoying street food from stalls along the riverside or the night market, experiencing a sumptuous dinner cruise and admiring spectacular views of the pier at night.
Bằng Lăng Stork Sanctuary
It’s no exaggeration to say that Bằng Lăng Stork Sanctuary is a treasure of Cần Thơ City as it’s a place where you can observe the most incredible views of nature and long flocks of white storks in the sky. It’s perfect for those who love birdwatching in a remote area. Interestingly, to go deep through the sanctuary for sightseeing, you will get into a rowing boat and move along waterways full of duckweed; it’s indeed a fantastic experience.
What to eat in Cần Thơ?
Tasting mouth-watering culinary delights is a vital part of the journey to explore Cần Thơ City. Being the land rich in cuisine, Cần Thơ never disappoints any gourmets. Why not sit down in ubiquitous restaurants feasting on special food of this city? Don’t hesitate to try fermented fish hotpot, Vietnamese pancakes, deep-fried prawn cakes, wet rice noodle with grilled pork skewers, porridge, duck noodle soup, crab paste noodle soup, beef noodle soup, grilled edible snails, and steamed chicken with lemongrass. There are several food stalls around the night market to choose from, or you can experience a sumptuous dinner cruise while seeing the sparkling beauty of Cần Thơ from the river at night.
What to do in Cần Thơ at night?
There are plenty of entertaining activities to do in Cần Thơ City when dark is coming. Some of the outstanding ones are walking in the park near Ninh Kiều Pier, savoring a dinner cruise, exploring the night market, taking a sip of coffee at stalls along the riverside, and soaking up cool breezes while going for a leisure ramble on the footbridge.
Because Cần Thơ City is the heart of the Mekong Delta and a concentration of various exciting things to uncover, it is always chosen to be a significant part of any itinerary. As it plays an important role in the tourism of the Mekong Delta, you will be curious about what helps form that beautiful city. In order to know more about the trip to Cần Thơ as well as what you will prepare to have a full experience, e.g. where to stay, how to get there, when to go, what to do, and where to visit, this travel guide can help.
The ULTIMATE Travel Guide to Can Tho – FAQs
How can I experience the famous floating markets in Can Tho?
To experience the vibrant atmosphere of the floating markets, you can join an early morning boat tour from Ninh Kieu Pier. Cai Rang Floating Market is the largest and most popular market in the region, where you can witness locals buying and selling goods from their boats.
What activities can I do in Can Tho?
In Can Tho, you can take a boat tour along the Mekong River to explore the floating markets, visit traditional villages to learn about local handicrafts, enjoy a cycling tour through the countryside, and indulge in delicious Mekong Delta cuisine.
Is it possible to explore other attractions in the Mekong Delta from Can Tho?
Absolutely! Can Tho serves as a convenient base for exploring other attractions in the Mekong Delta. You can take day trips to nearby destinations like Vinh Long, Ben Tre, and My Tho to discover more of the region’s beauty.
