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Innoviet, founded by a group of young heart Vietnamese people, seeks to build sustainable tourism projects - projects benefitting local communities and minimising the impacts of tourism on the environment, whilst providing tourists an authentic Vietnam experience. Actions speak louder than words, so Innoviet actively implements policies that directly impact the environment positively, such as using reusable non-plastic water bottles on all tours.

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Can Tho, the capital of Mekong Delta, is the city full of nightlife activities but still remains the authentic Mekong culture. This blog will give some essential guides to lead your way to Can Tho.

If the Mekong Delta is in your list when you travel to Southern Vietnam, Can Tho city, its worth to visit, you must be surprised at the land where rivers interlace around the beautiful fruit orchards, islands as well as villages surrounded by rice paddies, Khmer pagodas, and floating markets. A truly Mekong is local experiences, what you do and eat with local people who always welcome you a warm smile. Stay overnight at the homestay, ride a bike around small roads, try to enjoy breakfast on the floating market that these things you should not miss! To help you plan your trip, we would like to recommend you the travel ideas in the Insider’s Guide to the Can Tho City. So, please read it carefully!

Can Tho City

Can Tho city is in the heart of Mekong Delta, it is known for its floating market, rice paper-making village, picturesque rural canals as well as the hospitality of local people. Somehow, if this is the first time you have traveled to Can Tho City, please check out the travel information, attractions, and activities in this article.

How to get to Can Tho City

You can come to Can Tho by plane, car or bus. However, If you do not in rush, I highly recommend a bus because it only takes you 3-4 hours to go to Can Tho from Ho Chi Minh and it not difficult to have a bus ticket.

There are two famous bus brands are Phuong Trang Bus lines AND Thanh Buoi Bus lines. You can book and pay online OR buy a ticket at their office. Please check out here:

* Phuong Trang Bus lines

Ticket office: 272- 274 Đề Thám, Phường Phạm Ngũ Lão, Quận 1

Booking online: https://futabus.vn/en-US or call 1900 6067

Price: 110.000VND ~ $5 USD

* Thanh Buoi Bus lines

Ticket office: 266 - 268 Lê Hồng Phong, Phường 4, Quận 5

Booking online: https://vexere.com/en-US/thanh-buoi-bus or call 1900 6079 or hotline 0283. 8306.306

Price: 110.000VND ~ $5 USD

Things to do in Can Tho City

*** *Floating Market***

Cai Rang Floating Market

When you come to Can Tho City, remember not to miss Cai Rang floating market, one of the biggest floating market in Mekong Delta. Cai Rang floating Market starts from around 4:00 AM and finish at around 12:00 PM. It is perfect experiences to see how to people live, work, trade local produce as well as try to manage the chopsticks and soup bowl while you are on a boat. You can buy either a ticket at Ninh Kieu Wharf, the price for a ticket is around 40.000 - 80.000 VNĐ ($2 USD ~ $4 USD) for 2-hour trip per person OR you can book easily at the travel agencies in Can Tho city and your hotel for a private sampan discovering some other places as the tropical fruit orchards, rice noodle factory...Otherwise, book a tour from Ho Chi Minh City to Mekong Delta for 2 days 1-night excursion which is included one night at the homestay and Cai Rang floating market is a good idea.

Phong Dien Floating Market

This is a smaller retail market than Cai Rang floating market. In the market, you will find everything from breakfast - noodle soup, noodle with roasted meat, rice soup, Hu Tieu, and coffee, etc…. to household and working tools such as canoes, boats, roofing sheets, knives, hoes, machete, and fishing tools like fishing nets, or weaving products as baskets..

If you have more time at Can Tho city, you can combine to visit both markets. However, you have to wake up early in the morning to see a hustle & bustle on the market. The price for a private boat is around $40 USD ~ $50 USD for 6-hour trip.

If you are a person who interested in history, culture, and architecture, I suggest these destinations.

* Binh Thuy Ancient House

Binh Thuy Ancient House was built in 1870, one of the oldest and beautiful ancient house in Mekong Delta. The outlook of this ancient house is the combination of Western-style and Oriental style. Besides that, this house is used as a scene in “The Lover” (1992) movie by JJ.Annaud Director.

Address: 144 Bùi Hữu Nghĩa Street, Bình Thủy Ward, Bình Thủy District, Can Tho City

Opening time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

* Chua Ong Pagoda

Chua Ong pagoda is a Chinese temple, which is an evidence of immigrant of Chinese people in XVII century. It was built in an especially way with lots of decoration. The pagoda tells us the spiritual life of local people here.

Address: 32, Hai Bà Trưng Street, Tân An Ward, Ninh Kiều District, Cần Thơ City

Opening time: 8:00 AM- 5:00 PM

* Stay overnight at the homestay and do a cycling trip

This is a good ideal to touch the real Mekong, to learn more about local life from the friendly people who always have a smile on their face to see how they do, what they eat and try to live as a local.

Cycling through the small villages, breathing a fresh air in a rural area away from the downtown. You will also be felt the wind blowing through your cheeks, seeing the children is playing on the fields and the farmer is taking care of the fruit garden.

Where to eat in Can Tho

* Braised Duck in Fermented Tofu (Vịt Nấu Chao)

This is one of the most famous dishes of Southwest region, it also becomes the favorite dish in all parts of the country. You can find the braised duck in fermented tofu in all regions of the Mekong delta but maybe not as good as in Can Tho.

**Vit Nau Chao - A famous hot-pot in Can Tho**

Please check out here:

1. Vịt nấu chao Thành Giao

Address: 1/8 Lý Tự Trọng, An Phú Ward, Ninh Kiều District. [MAP]

Opening time: 10:00AM - 23:00PM

Price: 45.000đ - 220.000đ ($3 USD ~ $10 USD)

2. Vịt nấu chao Cẩm Tú

Address: 1 Lý Tự Trọng, An Phú Ward, Ninh Kiều District. [MAP]

Opening time: 09:00AM - 22:00PM

Price: 50.000đ - 200.000đ ($3 USD ~ $10 USD)

* Bún Mắm

Bún Mắm’s original from Cambodia and came to Vietnam in the 70s of XX century. Then Vietnamese people created it by the local way and become local people’s favorite food. The main ingredient is fish sauce.

Best places for Bún Mắm:

1. Bún Mắm 173

Address: No 173, 30 tháng 4 Street, Hưng Lợi Ward, Ninh Kiều District. [MAP]

Opening time: 7:00AM - 12:00PM

Price: 25.000 - 30.000VND

2. Bún Mắm Cô Tám

Address: No 1B/1, 3 tháng 2 Street, An Binh Ward, Ninh Kiều District. [MAP]

Opening time: 6:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Price: 20.000 - 30.000VND

3. Bún Mắm 233

Address: No 233 Alley of Nguyễn Văn Cừ street, An Hòa ward, Ninh Kiều District. [MAP]

Opening time: 5:30 PM - 11:00 PM

Price: 20.000 VND - 40.000 VND

* Nem nướng

Nem nướng is Vietnamese grilled pork sausage or grilled meatball, and a popular Vietnamese food item. Sometimes served as an individual appetizer or snack, or served with rice noodles or rice as a main course.

**Nem Nuong - The delicious pork sausage in Can Tho**

Best places for Nem nướng:

1. Nem Nướng Thanh Vân

Address: No 17 Hòa Bình Boulevard, Ninh Kiều District. [MAP]

Opening time: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Price: 50.000 – 110.000 VND

2. Nem Nướng Hai Vân

Address: No 98 Đề Thám Street, Ninh Kiều District. [MAP]

Opening time: 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Price: 25.000 – 100.000 VND

3. Nem Nướng Anh Mập

Address: No 12/21/19 Nguyễn Việt Hồng Street, Ninh Kiều District. [MAP]

Opening time: 8:00AM – 10:00PM

Price: 50.000 – 110.000 VND

* Bánh Cống

Bánh Cống is one of the best signature dishes of southern Vietnam. It's a crunchy fried shrimp cake that served with lettuce, assorted fresh herbs, and sweet/sour dipping sauce.

**Banh Cong - A savory cake represent Khmer and Vietnamese fusion**

Best places for Bánh Cống:

1. Bánh Cống Cô Út

Address: No 86/38 Lý Tự Trọng Street, An Cư Ward, Ninh Kiều District. [MAP]

Opening time: 9:00 AM – 9:30 PM

Price: 10.000 VND – 30.000 VND

2. Bánh Cống Nguyễn Trãi

Address: No 18 Trần Văn Hoài Street, Ninh Kiều District. [MAP]

Opening time: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Price: 10.000 - 20.000 VND

3. Bánh cống Huê Viên

Address: No 36 Đề Thám Street, Ninh Kiều District. [MAP]

Opening time: 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM

Price: 15.000 – 20.000 VND

Can Tho City’s Night Life

You do not worry about anything to do at night in Can Tho City, there are lots of things you can try here.

* Rooftop Bar

1. Holiday One Sky Bar

Address: Level 15 Holiday One Hotel, No 59-65 Pham Ngọc Thạch Street, Cái Khế Ward. [MAP]
Opening time: 6:00 PM – 11:30 PM
Price range: 50.000 – 150.000 VND

2. Coffee Bar Mường Thanh Hotel

Address: Area E1, Cái Khế River Islet, Cái Khế Ward, Ninh Kiều District. [MAP]
Opening time: :8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Price range: 35.000 – 100.000 VND

3. Iris Sky Bar

Address: Rooftop of Iris Hotel, No 224 30/4 Street, Xuân Khánh Ward, Ninh Kiều District. [MAP]
Opening time: 6:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Price range: 50.000 – 1.000.000 VND