Are you planning to explore Asia and choose Can Tho, the Mekong Delta, Vietnam as one of your stops? If yes, the suggested things to do in this city will be necessary for your journey. One of them is Ninh Kieu Wharf – a must-visit spot with dozens of fascinating experiences. This complete guide is definitely what you are looking for and actually need to well prepare for the trip. Let’s read to know best time to visit the wharf, how to get there, what’s special, what and where to eat and the life of the local people.
Best Time to Visit Ninh Kieu Wharf
If you have read Can Tho Travel Guide already, it’s sure that you’ll realize Can Tho ca be visited all year round because of its mild climate. Also, no storm is found anytime of year. The climate in Ninh Kieu Wharf of Can Tho is the same; Every time is wonderful enough to have a trip to this destination, but to get the most pleasant atmosphere, just consider the time of from March to June.
How to Get to Ninh Kieu Wharf from Ho Chi Minh City
When it comes to the list of top spots to see and visit in Can Tho City, Ninh Kieu Wharf is surely a popular name; it’s viewed as a symbol of this city. Thus, before hitting Ninh Kieu, you must arrive in the city center of Can Tho by air, bus, motorbike, or taxi – just take a look at Can Tho Travel guide for further information about means of transport to Can Tho. Normally, the locals often choose taking a bus at Mien Tay Bus Station – 395 King Duong Vuong Street, An Lac Ward, Binh Tan District. It’s because the bus fare is quite cheap, VND100,000/adult.
Upon arrival in the city center of Can Tho, you can use google map or ask the locals directions to Ninh Kieu Wharf. Located on Hai Ba Trung Street, Tan An Ward, Ninh Kieu District, and next to the Hau River, the wharf is easy to be found out. There are plenty of accommodations in proximity to Ninh Kieu, so you can easily pick one for an overnight stay there.
What’s Special in Ninh Kieu Wharf?
Ninh Kieu Park
Along Ninh Kieu Wharf is Ninh Kieu Park, in which stone chairs line up on the riverbank. In the center of the park is a statue of the president Ho Chi Minh, 7.2 meters tall, placed on a 3.6 meter-tall pedestal with the total weight of 12 tons.
Rambling in the park is a way to relax since you can absorb the cool breeze from trees and the river. In the evening, the park is more crowded with locals and travelers who come to walk for pleasure, enjoy street food, and shoot the breeze. Then, why don’t you try to get this experience while having a visit to Ninh Kieu Park?
The Hau River
The Hau River is calm and totally ideal to take a boat around it. What you can get from this short excursion is to witness tiny houses in serene villages along the riverbank and Can Tho Bridge, illuminated by colorful lights. All of those images make up a peaceful and charming Can Tho in the late afternoon. If you expect a more hustling prospect of the Hau River, the hint is to come in the time of festivals, e.g. New Year Festival or Luna New Year Festival, where everywhere is preparing for or celebrating big and small events.
Ninh Kieu Dinner Cruise on the Hau River
Opening hours: from 7:00PM – 9:00PM
Ninh Kieu cruise will leisurely take you around on the river while you enjoy brilliant traditional music performances of the local singers. One great thing is that there is a luxurious restaurant on the cruise, offering food and drinks. Then, you’re bringing back many benefits only in one cruise and one evening, right?
The 15th day of a lunar month is the best time to have a Ninh Kieu Dinner Cruise on the Hau River as you can admire the most beautiful landscape with full moon while leisurely cruising.
Ninh Kieu Night Market
Opening hours: from 4:00PM – 12:00 at midnight
Ninh Kieu Wharf at night is illuminated by lights along the river. When you visit the market, you will see the locals selling their products and travelers walking for pleasure or shopping for something, all of which creates a vibrant painting about a city, seemingly waking up at night. The products may be clothes, accessories, souvenirs or vegetables. At times, the attracting aroma of street food from some stall flies through and tantalizes your sense. Don’t ignore the experience of tasting the luscious food at the market.
Walking Bridge in Ninh Kieu Wharf
This walking bridge connects Ninh Kieu Wharf to Cai Khe Islet. Starting to be open for public use in February, 2016, the bridge nowadays becomes one of the indispensable destinations of anyone to Ninh Kieu Wharf. While strolling on the bridge, you will have the most relaxing feelings under the wonderful weather of the city at night. The beautiful lights along the bridge makes it more spectacular among the dark.
What to Eat in Ninh Kieu Wharf
Various kinds of folk cake are the top thing to try when in Ninh Kieu Wharf. These are exactly specialties of this land, and missing them out is indeed a big regret. It’s highly recommended to savor banh tet la cam – sticky rice with violet stuffing rolled in banana leaves, banh da lon, banh la dua, etc.
If you are searching for several restaurants in Ninh Kieu Wharf, the following will be recommended:
Mekong Restaurant
Address: 38 Hai Ba Trung Street, Tan An Ward, Ninh Kieu District,
Tel: 0292 36 99 179
Opening hours: 08:00 – 22:00
Dai Duong Restaurant
Address: Con Cai Khe Roundabout, Le Loi Street, Ninh Kieu District
Tel: 0907 808 739 – 0292 3761 235
Opening hours: 09:00 – 23:00
Phuong Nam Restaurant
Address: 48 Hai Ba Trung Street, Tan An Ward, Ninh Kieu District
Tel: 0292 3812 077 – 0292 222 1910 – 096 343 97 97
Opening hours: 09:00 – 22:30
Co Tay Thanh Do Restaurant
Address: Hang Duong Tourist Area, Cai Khe Ward, Ninh Kieu District
Tel: 0292 3762 599
Opening hours: 7:00 – 23:00
Gony Restaurant
Address: 8 -10 -12 Nguyen An Ninh Street, Ninh Kieu District
Tel: 0292 3810 299
Opening hours: 08:00 – 21:00
Sao Hom Restaurant
Tel: 0292 3815 616
Opening hours: 06:00 – 23:00
Nam Bo Restaurant
Address: Number 1, Ninh Kieu District
Tel: 0292 381 9139 – 090 393 63 01
Opening hours: 8:00 – 22:00
Bien Dong Seafood Restaurant
Address: 30 Le Loi Street, Cai Khe Ward, Ninh Kieu Street,
Tel: 093 929 41 95
Opening hours: 10:00 – 22:00
The Helpful Local People
When you make a trip to Ninh Kieu Wharf, it’s sure that the life of the locals will get you calm. They are always willing to smile at you no matter who you are and hope you have an unforgettable experience in their land. Don’t hesitate to ask them something you don’t know as they are helpful and friendly.