The 7 Best Things to Do in Can Tho | The Gateway to the Mekong Delta

February 15, 2022
City Guides
Asia, Vietnam
by Suvi Peisanen

In the midst of lush rice paddies and endless rivers of the captivating Mekong Delta in Vietnam lies Can Tho, a city with a quintessentially Southern charm about it. It’s a place to slow down in and re-charge your batteries, whilst simultaneously enjoying all the luxuries a city can offer. With so much history and natural beauty at its doorstep, no visit to the Mekong Delta would be complete without a couple of days in the biggest city of the region, Can Tho.

Compared to some of Vietnam’s larger cities, Can Tho is rather relaxed in its style, but still remains the Mekong Delta’s centre for both commerce and culture. According to a saying: Can Tho’s rice is white, its water clear / Everyone who goes there does not wish to come back.

Why Visit Can Tho, Vietnam?

Can Tho in the South of Vietnam is a great spot to break up your travels for a few days to re-charge. Whether you prefer staying active and exploring the region on a bike, taking in the cultural sights of the city, or just plain simply enjoying all the food on offer as you leisurely wander around the city, we recommend staying in Can Tho for a couple of days.

So, what’s there to see in Can Tho then? The Cai Rang Floating Market is the most popular tourist destination in town, though it’s by no means the only thing to see or do. Tourists flock to the floating market from all over Vietnam; even on day trips from Ho Chi Minh City. Despite the rather strenuous bus journey of 5+ hours each way!

We debated a lot whether to visit the floating market or not, but in the end decided against it as we couldn’t find the tour that felt right for us. Next time we’re in Can Tho, we will definitely be making a stop at the Cai Rang Floating Market!

Top Things to Do in Can Tho

There are a number of different activities to do in Can Tho, most of which are either free, or very budget-friendly. So even if you choose to stay here for awhile, it won’t break the bank!

1. Spend an Afternoon in Can Tho Museum

We visited several museums in Ho Chi Minh City, but thought there was a lot more to see at the Can Tho Museum than a lot of the other ones we had been to. There are exhibitions on two floors, which are well organised, and descriptions and signs are in both Vietnamese and English.

This is a great place to escape the afternoon heat from. When we were there, we only saw a couple of local men perusing the displays and not a single other tourist in sight.

If you want to get a better understanding of Can Tho and the Mekong Delta as a region in general, this is a great place to start from.

Entry is free depending on the time of day you visit.

2. Visit Can Tho Grand Prison

Not as big as the Hoa Lo Prison in Hanoi, or the Phu Quoc Prison further down south, the Can Tho Grand Prison is an important historical building in the region.

Initially built by the French colonialists, it was used between 1878-1886 to imprison revolutionary fighters and patriotic prisoners, and later, by the South Vietnamese and the Americans in the Vietnam War. It was described as hell on earth.

It’s a harrowing walk around the courtyard of this prison. You’ll be able to look into several different detention rooms to get an understanding of the horrors its prisoners had to endure.

Entry is free.

3. Walk along the Hau River during Sunset

The banks of the Hau River are the best place to watch a sunset from. Stroll along the pedestrian bridge and watch the occasional boat go by, go people-watching in the park, and walk along to the Night Market for dinner time.

4. Ninh Kieu Night Market

The Ninh Kieu Night Market seemed to be the place to be in Can Tho during the evening. As the sun was setting, the roads started getting busier with motorbikes, pedestrians and tourists. Street vendors started setting up shop, preparing for a busy night of trading. It’s separated into two sections: food, and clothes and tourist items.

The Night Market is hugely popular with local people – especially families – and tourists alike. You can get anything from sweet to savoury to satisfy your taste buds. You definitely won’t be going hungry, let us tell you that!

5. Visit the Temples of Ong and Munirensay

Visiting one of the temples on your visit to Can Tho is surely one of the best things to do in this city. The Chinese Ong Pagoda in particular is an architectural marvel to look. Vividly colourful, ornate and with a history of over 100 years, this is not one to be missed.

For completely different (but equally stunning) style of architecture, head on down to the Khmer Munirensay. This temple was built in the 1940’s to serve the local Khmer community.

6. Explore the Museum of Tarot

Fancy some tarot reading? For something a bit different, you should head over to the the Museum of Tarot. Whether it is Lithotherapy, Cartomancy or Demonology you are after, the owner of this wonderful museum will be able to assist you.

7. Rent a Bike and Explore the Region at Leisure

This is the number one thing we wished we had done in Can Tho. We spent a few wonderful days in the city, mainly walking around and enjoying the incredible food on offer. But to actually see and get a better understanding of the region, the best thing you can do is to rent a bike or a bicycle. In fact, what we want to do on our next Vietnam visit, is to ride around the Mekong Delta!

So if you know how to ride a bike (and are properly insured), this is without a doubt the best way to explore the Can Tho area.

Best Time to Visit Can Tho, Vietnam

Can Tho in Vietnam can be visited any time of the year, with temperatures averaging 24-33°C throughout the year. During the dry season, temperatures tend to be a bit cooler, but tourism is at its peak. The monsoon season will be quieter, but also hotter and more humid.

Rainy Season: May-November
Dry Season: December-April

We visited in the high season in February, and the weather was perfect. Hot days, cooler nights, clear skies and no rain. Accommodation tends to be at its priciest at this time though. For grabbing some bargain stays, you could visit during the wettest months of June-October, when tourism is at its lowest.

Best Food Stalls & Restaurants in Can Tho

Can Tho is packed to the brim with amazing local restaurants, cafes and food stalls. It’s a hidden gem of Vietnamese cuisine, where finding vegetarian food is surprisingly easy!