Can Tho is the political, economic, cultural and transportation center, as well as biggest city, of the Mekong Delta. The city is located on the south bank of Hau Giang, the bigger branch of the Mekong River. It is 169km from Ho Chi Minh City. Of all the Mekong Delta provinces, Can Tho is the most popular among travelers and tourists, who flock to see its floating markets easily reached from the eponymous provincial capital

Sitting amongst hundreds of rivers and canals, Can Tho's unique landscape makes it a frequent feature of the tour programs for travelers who go to Ho Chi Minh City.

The highlights of a trip to Can Tho include a visit to the floating markets and riverside villages, which provide fascinating insight into the rural way of life in this beautiful province. Cai Be, Cai Rang, Phung Hiep, Phong Dien, Nga Nam and Long Xuyen are some of the floating markets visited by tourists. Among them, Cai Rang Floating Market seems to be the liveliest.

There are also a number of handicraft villages in the area, and boat trips often stop at various tour attractions including the weaving village, the rice-paper factory, the vermicelli-production plant, and the rice mill. The boats also often stop in picturesque rural canals as well as a large island orchard.

Not too far from the wharf is a floating restaurant connected to the bank by a bridge serving eel dishes, a specialty of the region.

On the east bank of Hau River is Ninh Kieu Wharf, which is well known for its beautiful location. Other interesting places are Bang Lang Stock Sanctuary, Can Tho and My Khanh Tourist gardens, Binh Thuy Temple, Central Market and the Cantonese Congregation Pagoda.

If you arrive in the city in the mid-afternoon and have some free time on a tour or while in transit back to Saigon, check out the Can Tho Museum and the Army Museum next door.

Can Tho’s tropical climate has two seasons: rainy (May to November) and dry (December to April). Average temperature is 26.9 C. The best time to visit is during the dry season from November through April, as the delta is virtually underwater the rest of year.

By Bus

There are buses leaving HCMC from the Mien Tay bus station (~30,000VND/5 hours). Express minibuses make the same trip in about the same time.

The main bus station in Can Tho is about a kilometer north of town at the intersection of Nguyen Trai Street and Tran Phu Street. There is another short-haul bus depot about 300m south of the intersection of Đ 30 Thang 4 and Đ Mau Than, which is good for getting to Soc Trang and the Phung Hiep floating market.

Car & Motorbike

Whether you travel by car or motorbike, the ride from HCMC to Can Tho along Hwy 1 takes about four hours. There is one ferry crossing at Binh Minh (in Can Tho). The Can Tho ferry runs from 4am to 2am.

To get from ĐL Hoa Binh in Can Tho to the ferry crossing, go along Đ Nguyen Trai to the main bus station and turn right onto Đ Tran Phu.