Can Tho Travel Guide
Known as the "western capital" and just about 169km away from Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho is the fourth largest city of Vietnam and considered as the heart of Mekong delta region. A Vietnam tour package without a trip to Can Tho considers incompete because Can Tho has something different to offer and from Can Tho tourists can explore deeper to Mekong delta, fly to Phu Quoc island or cruise uptream to Phnom Penh and Angkor temples in Cambodia.
How to get there
By road: This is the most easy way and it takes only 3 hours from Ho Chi Minh city. During the way, tourists can stop to make a boat trip in My Tho, Ben Tre or visit fascinating floating market of Cai Be in Vinh Long. Whatever, a trip to Can Tho is full of interesting things to do.
By plane: If tourists do not want to stop at Ho Chi Minh city, they can take the direct flights from other Vietnam holiday destinations to Can Tho such as from Hanoi, Da Nang or Phu Quoc island.
By boat: This is the option for people who go on a cruise ship from Ho Chi Minh upstream to other provinces of Mekong delta region like Vinh Long, Can Tho, Soc Trang, Chau Doc or to Cambodia. Mekong cruise can be arranged from 2 days - 1 night to 8 days - 7 nights.
Best time to visit
The rainny season in Mekong region is from May to November and the dry season is from December to April. The best time to visit is the dry season and Can Tho is more lively before Tet holiday when the floating markets are full of goods, flowers, fruits.
Things to see and do in Can Tho
Visit floating markets: Tourists normally complain the floating market in Bangkok as a noisy and touristic place, but not the ones in Can Tho. The most famous floating market is Cai Rang which is recently named as the national heritage of Vietnam and listed in Top Asia's interesting floating market. Therefore. The market is where all boats gather to trade from the essential goods to fruits, flowers which is lively and exciting. If you stay in Can Tho longer and still want to see another floating market which is less touristic, Phung Hiep is the next one to visit.
Homestay in Can Tho: Staying in a comfortable hotel is the first choice of all tourists, but Mekong delta is known as the "rice basket" of Vietnam with massive rice paddies, intricate canals and abundant fruits, homestay in a village in Can Tho is a great option. Tourists can both see the real life of the farmers, take part in their farming activties, learn how to cook Vietnamese dishes and cycle around picturesque villages under the shades of the coconut trees. Remember to try walking on the "Monkey bridge" which is great fun too.
Visit Binh Thuy Communal House: A must see site when in Can Tho, this communal house acted as the meeting place for local people to decide important things of the village and it is where to carry out the village riruals and guardian spritits. Built in 1893, Binh Thuy Communal House is like a book to read about the history of Can Tho as well as the religion, belief, tradition or culture of Vietnam.
Ninh Kieu quay: Appeared in many poems or songs that describe the beauty of Can Tho, Ninh Kieu quay offers fantastic view toward Hau River. It is also a relaxing place to enjoy fresh air and to get the peace of mind.
Visit Can Tho city: Can Tho city is teh centre of economy and culture of Mekong delta region so tourists can easily find many cultural sites here like pagodas, church, temples of the Vietnamese, Cham or Chinese people which mean your Vietnam tour package in Can Tho will be the highlight.
Mekong cruise: There are some cruise ship companies offering 2 - 4 day cruise in and around Can Tho. The luxury cruise brings you to the most stunning parts of Mekong delta. Our suggested Mekong cruises are Lecochichine, Mekong Eyes, Dragon eyes, Bassac cruise, RV La Marguerite...
Accommodation in Can Tho
Victoria hotel in Can Tho is the best and most expensive one, but if it is over your budget, there are so many choices like Fortuneland hotel, Kim Tho hotel, Iris hotel, etc. A Can Tho tour package should include accomodation, but if you want to stay at a right hotel, please double check with a tour operator before going for it.
Can Tho is the spotlight of any Vietnam tour package and Holiday to Indochina advises tourists to book 2 day - 1 night tour to visit Can Tho so that your holiday in Vietnam will be compete!