l The best things to do in Can Tho Vietnam | Bonzer Tour

The best things to do in Can Tho Vietnam

Cập nhật: 01-01-1970 12:00:00 | Blogs about Vietnam | Lượt xem: 1346

Can Tho Vietnam is a fascinating destination for anyone who loves immersing in nature without sliding too far from modernity. Being the heart of the Mekong Delta, it represents all of this region’s finest with immense canals, lively floating markets, lush green landscape, balmy weather, and sun-ripened tropical fruits.

What is Can Tho, Vietnam famous for?

Set on the bank of the Hau River (a tributary of the Mekong River), Can Tho is the biggest city of the Mekong Delta region and also its political, economic, cultural and transportation center. The city is most known for its varicolored floating markets, which are dotted alongside the many rivers and canals it was built from. This dense network of waterways plays a huge part in the speedy economic development of not only the region, but also the entire country.

Besides the bustling floating markets, the Mekong Delta Can Tho is loved for its authentic cultural features and delicious street food as well. Architecture, on the other hand, isn’t its forte, but you can still find many interesting cultural and artistic values inside its ornate temples and pagodas.

can-tho-vietnam

How to get there

Can Tho is situated 170 km West of Ho Chi Minh City and can be reached from there within 3.5 hours by bus. At the starting price of about $7, this is the most cost-saving and convenient method to get from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho. To better enjoy the spectacular nature along the way, you can also hire a private vehicle and drive there at your own pace.

If you are traveling from other destinations, like Hanoi or Da Nang, the most popular choice would be flying directly to Can Tho. Can Tho International Airport (formerly known as Tra Noc Airport) is only 10 km from the city center. In addition to domestic locations, it also has direct connections with two international airports – the Incheon Airport in Seoul and the Taoyuan Airport in Taipei.  

Can Tho is also reachable by boat from other lands in the Mekong Delta, and by cruise from Ho Chi Minh City or Cambodia. To fully discover the whole area, consider embarking on a Mekong Delta tour 3 days 2 nights from Ho Chi Minh City.

Can Tho tourist attractions

Floating markets in Can Tho

Without a doubt, you can’t go to Can Tho without exploring its vibrant, unique floating markets. The most renowned among them is Cai Rang, a large wholesale market that lies only 6 km from the city center. You need to come here at dawn to witness Cai Rang Floating Market at its best. Every morning, numerous colorful boats and sampans gather on the Can Tho River to sell all kinds of goods, most typically fresh fruits and local dishes. Tasting local breakfast on a boat while soaking up the sunset will be an experience of a lifetime.

Another engrossing floating market you could stop by is Phong Dien, which is quite similar to Cai Rang – except it’s 15 km further, smaller and less touristy. Both of these markets can be seen from the road, but boat rides into them are way more intriguing. You can head to Ninh Kieu Wharf and rent a sampan on your own at about $15 for 12 km (each sampan could carry 2 – 3 guests), or book a tour in advance via a travel agent.

binh-thuy-ancient-house-in-can-tho-vietnam

Binh Thuy Ancient House

Dating from 1870, Binh Thuy Ancient House is one of the few old houses that are still intact in this region. It offers an alluring insight into Can Tho’s past and culture. From the outside, this house looks like a French antique construction with a lovely European style, but its interior architecture is completely traditional Vietnamese. Notably, all of the house’s artifacts are still meticulously preserved, despite the tumultuous tides of history. Thanks to the distinctive nostalgic vibe, it has even been chosen to be the set for a few films, with the 1992 drama “The Lover” being the most famed.

Binh Thuy Ancient House is only 9 km from Can Tho center. It’s open daily, at 8 am – 12 pm and 2 pm – 6 pm. The entrance fee is about $0.8 per person. 

Ong Temple

Originally named Guangzhou Assembly Hall, the 130-year-old Ong Temple is where the Hoa community (Chinese people living in Vietnam) often come to pray for peace and happiness. It stands out for exquisite architectural lines, elaborate decorations and fine furnishings. Inside the temple, visitors might be overwhelmed by countless incense coils that hang from every side, creating pleasant plays of light and wafting aromatic smell.

Ong Temple lies near Ninh Kieu Wharf and is open from 7 am – 8 pm. Remember to dress properly and take off your shoes before stepping into the halls.

Truc Lam Phuong Nam Zen Monastery

Covering an area of 38.016 m2, 15 km from the city center, Truc Lam Phuong Nam is a spacious Buddhist meditation monastery that carries the architectural characteristics of the Ly – Tran dynasties. It includes various buildings, including a main hall, an ancestral house, a large hall used for training young monks, a 9-storey stupa, a drum tower and a bell tower...

It’s worth mentioning that many parts of the monastery were made of ironwood imported directly from South Africa. In the middle of the main hall, you will also see a 3.5-ton bronze statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, with a Samantabhadra Bodhisattva statue and a Manjushri Bodhisattva statue on its two sides. 

Munirensay Pagoda

Munirensay, or Munirangsyaram, is the oldest Khmer pagoda in Can Tho. It was first built in 1948 and features Cambodia “Angkor Wat” architecture style, with typical Khmer Theravada Buddhist ornamentation. Despite its small size, this pagoda is still pretty dazzling thanks to the complicated golden appearance that leaves every passer in awe.

Located right in the city center, Munirensay Pagoda can be easily included in your journey. The monks here are really nice, some of them even speak fluent English and are willing to accompany you during your visit. If you are lucky enough, you can even meet the young students studying inside.

Ninh Kieu Wharf

Placed on the confluence where Can Tho River and Hau River meet, Ninh Kieu Wharf is a symbol of Can Tho City’s glorious boom in recent years. It attracts tourists with splendid views towards the Hau River, the fresh air of the Mekong Delta and the gorgeous beauty of Can Tho’s Love Bridge from afar. This wharf is also a huge park with paved walkways, carefully pruned plants, and especially a 7.2-meter-tall statue of Ho Chi Minh – which is the highlight of the whole complex.

The area around Ninh Kieu Wharf hosts numerous street markets, both day and evening. You can come here to simply stroll around the park and enjoy the pleasant atmosphere, tour the markets nearby and feast on delicious street food, or start a boat trip along the river to other destinations.

Museum of Tarot

Only several steps from Ninh Kieu Wharf is the Museum of Tarot, one of the few museums that specialize in Tarot-related topics in Asia. Officially opened in 2017, the museum includes a diverse collection of artifacts, tarot cards and playing cards, some dating back to the 15th century. Generally, they are divided into three main themes: Lithotherapy, Cartomancy, and Demonology.

The Museum of Tarot is open daily from 10 am – 12 am and 1 pm – 5 pm. Ticket fees start at $4 per person (a drink included), but you should choose the $8 option for an audio-visio guide. This museum only accepts a maximum of 5 guests at a time due to the small space, so it’s better to reserve two or three days before your visit.

The best local food to eat in Can Tho

food-to-eat-in-can-tho

Obviously, one of the best things to do in Can Tho is to find out what its gastronomy has to offer. Lucky for you, this city is an ideal place to sample various toothsome dishes, from southern Vietnam’s famous cuisine to some strange delicacies of the Mekong Delta region.

Here are some outstanding eats you should try:

Banh tet la cam: The magenta “Tet” cake originated in Can Tho, made from colored sticky rice and filled with pork and salted duck eggs.

Lau mam (fermented fish hot pot): A typical hot pot of Southern Vietnam with more than 40 types of vegetables, fresh seafood/meat, a rich broth and, the star of the dish, fermented fish paste. 

Cai Rang grilled sausage: Cai Rang’s round sausage grilled on charcoals; then wrapped in rice paper with rice noodles, vegetables and herbs; and finally dipped into a special sauce.

Banh hoi Phong Dien: A type of rice noodles shaped into small pieces, served with roasted pork and pickles.

Banh cong: Crispy crust stuffed with pork, green beans and shrimp; served with fresh vegetables and a tasty sweet-and-source sauce.

Grilled snails with green pepper: Snails soaked in rice water overnight to get rid of the dirt, then marinated with green pepper and other spices before being grilled on charcoal. 

Summer rolls: Summer rolls appear everywhere in Vietnam, but Can Tho’s variation stands out with a mouth-watering dipping paste that you can’t see anywhere else.

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