Authentic Mekong River Experiences

1. Cai Rang Floating Market

Address: Departing from Ninh Kieu Wharf, Can Tho City

Highlights:
One of the largest and most famous floating markets in the Mekong Delta, Cai Rang comes alive around 5–6 a.m. Hundreds of boats and canoes, loaded with fruits, vegetables, local specialties—and even bowls of noodle soup, rice vermicelli, and coffee—create a vibrant trading scene on the water.

Visitors can enjoy breakfast right on a boat, sip hot coffee, and chat with friendly locals – a truly lively and rustic experience that captures the essence of river life in the West.

Cai Rang Floating Market (Source: Internet)

2. Phong Dien Floating Market

Address: Provincial Road 923, Nhon Loc Hamlet, Nhon Ai Commune, Phong Dien District.

Highlights:
Smaller and less crowded than Cai Rang, Phong Dien Floating Market offers a peaceful, rustic atmosphere. Locals mainly trade essential goods, household items, fruits, and fresh produce. Come early in the morning to witness the authentic rhythm of daily life, watch canoes glide across the calm water, and enjoy the serene countryside air of Can Tho.

Phong Dien Floating Market (Source: Internet)

3. Ninh Kieu Wharf

Address: 106 Hai Ba Trung St., Tan An Ward, Ninh Kieu District

Highlights:

A Can Tho tourism symbol, Ninh Kieu Wharf merges the charm of riverside life with urban vibes. Stroll along Hau River, snap photos with the LED-lit pedestrian bridge at night, or enjoy a romantic dinner aboard a floating restaurant.

Ninh Kieu Wharf (Source: Internet)

4. Sau Hoai Rice Noodle Work

Address: 476/14, Area 7, Lo Vong Cung, An Binh Ward, Ninh Kieu District

Highlights:

At Sau Hoai Workshop, you can witness the traditional process of making rice noodles—from steaming and sun-drying to cutting. Even better, try your hand at crafting and tasting your own noodles—an immersive local experience into the culinary craft of the Mekong Delta.

Sau Hoai noodle oven(Source: Internet)

5. Thuan Hung Rice Paper Village

Address: Thuan Hung Ward, Thot Not District

Highlights:

Famous for its dew-wetted rice paper, this village offers a glimpse into a traditional labor craft. Watch artisans skillfully spread batter and sun-dry rice sheets in a calm, humble setting that reflects the meticulous spirit of the locals.

Thuan Hung rice paper oven (Source: Internet)

6. Traditional Coconut Candy Workshops
Address: In Can Tho and neighboring provinces like Ben Tre and Vinh Long
Highlights:
Though more prominent in Ben Tre, Can Tho also has a few coconut candy workshops where visitors can observe the entire process—from simmering coconut milk to cutting and hand-wrapping candies. The rich, fragrant aroma and chewy sweetness evoke nostalgic countryside memories.

Traditional coconut candy kiln (Source: Internet)

7. Explore the fruit garden

Can Tho is not only famous for its fertile rivers but also attracts tourists with its lush fruit gardens, typical of the Southern garden. Coming here, you will be able to pick ripe fruit, enjoy the fresh taste right in the garden, immerse yourself in rustic activities and feel the peaceful lifestyle of the people in the river region.

1. Ba Cong Fruit Garden

• Address: My Ai Hamlet, My Khanh Commune, Phong Dien District
• Highlights: The garden has a large area, growing many types of fruit such as rambutan, star apple, Ha Chau strawberry, etc. Visitors can walk in the cool space, pick and enjoy fruit on the spot.

2. Chin Hong Fruit Garden

• Address: No. 398, Group 31, My Khanh Commune, Phong Dien District
• Highlights: Besides seasonal fruits, this garden offers folk games, fishing, mud-catching, and cooking activities—perfect for families and groups.

3. Muoi Cuong cocoa garden

• Address: My Khanh Commune, Phong Dien District
• Highlights: As one of the few cocoa farms in the West, this place allows you to visit the cocoa processing process using traditional methods, taste handmade products such as cocoa powder, pure chocolate, etc.

4. May Islet (also known as Luc Si Thanh Islet)

• Address: Tra On District, on the border of Can Tho and Vinh Long
• Highlights: An island in the middle of the Hau River, this place gathers many natural fruit gardens, fresh air and many ecological experiences such as boating, garden tours, enjoying traditional music, ideal for a light day trip.

May Island (Source: Internet)

8. Bang Lang Stork Garden

Address: Thoi Hoa Hamlet, Thuan An Ward, Thot Not District, Can Tho City

Highlights:
Bang Lang Stork Garden is home to thousands of storks, herons and many species of water birds. The ideal time to visit is in the afternoon, when flocks of storks fly back to their nests, creating a lively and poetic scene in the middle of the peaceful countryside.

Bang Lang Stork Garden (Source: Internet)

9. Con Son Eco-tourism Area

Address: Bui Huu Nghia Ward, Binh Thuy District, Can Tho City

Highlights:
Con Son is a green island in the middle of Hau River, famous for its community tourism model. Here, visitors can watch “flying snakehead fish”, make traditional cakes, visit fish rafts, enjoy fruits in the garden, and especially interact with the gentle and hospitable locals – all creating a truly authentic and memorable experience of the West.

Con Son Eco-tourism Area (Source: Internet)

Explore the historical and cultural relics of Can Tho

10. Binh Thuy Ancient House

Address: No. 144 Bui Huu Nghia, Binh Thuy ward, Binh Thuy district, Can Tho city

Highlights:
Binh Thuy Ancient House is a unique architectural work built in 1870, harmoniously combining classical Western style and traditional Asian features. With spacious space, sophisticated decorative details and many valuable antiques, this place is not only a cultural symbol but also the setting of many famous films such as "The Lover" or "Cong Tu Bac Lieu".

Binh Thuy Ancient House(Source: Internet)

11. Can Tho Museum

Address: No. 1 Hoa Binh Avenue, Tan An Ward, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City

Highlights:
Can Tho Museum is home to more than 5,000 precious artifacts, vividly reflecting the history, culture and life of the Mekong Delta residents. Visitors can learn about the Khmer - Chinese - Vietnamese ethnic groups, customs, traditional crafts and revolutionary struggles of Can Tho.

Can Tho Museum (Source: Internet)

12. Ong Pagoda (Quang Trieu Assembly Hall)

Address: No. 32 Hai Ba Trung Street, Tan An Ward, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City

Highlights:
Ong Pagoda is one of the typical pagodas of the Chinese community in Can Tho, standing out with its brilliant, sophisticated architecture and sacred spiritual space. This place often holds major festivals such as Thuong Nguyen Festival, Ong Bon Festival, etc. and is a cultural destination not to be missed when visiting Ninh Kieu Wharf.

Ong Temple(Source: Internet)

13. Munir Ansay Khmer Pagoda (Munirangsyaram)

Address: No. 36 Hoa Binh Avenue, Tan An Ward, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City

Highlights:
Built in 1948, Munir Ansay Pagoda is one of the most prominent Khmer pagodas in Can Tho. The architecture is deeply influenced by Southern Buddhism, with a three-door gate, a main hall with a multi-layered curved roof, and decorative details depicting Khmer mythology. The quiet, peaceful space of the pagoda in the heart of the city is an ideal place to learn about the religious life and culture of the Khmer people in the West.

Chùa Khmer Munir Tradition (Munirangsyaram) (Source: Internet)

14. Binh Thuy Communal House

Address: No. 46/11A Le Hong Phong Street, Binh Thuy Ward, Binh Thuy District, Can Tho City

Highlights:
Built in 1844, Binh Thuy communal house is a work bearing the mark of Southern culture with ancient architecture, yin-yang tiled roof, and elaborate dragon and phoenix carvings. This is the place where many traditional folk festivals such as Ky Yen Festival are held, attracting a large number of people and tourists every year.

Binh Thuy Communal House (Source: Internet)

15. Truc Lam Phuong Nam Zen Monastery

Address:My Khanh Commune, Phong Dien District, Can Tho City

Highlights:
Truc Lam Phuong Nam Zen Monastery is one of the largest Zen monasteries in the West, with a peaceful space and architecture imitating Vietnamese pagodas of the Ly - Tran dynasties. This is an ideal place for visitors to find inner peace, visit the garden, Buddha temple and bell tower in a solemn and peaceful atmosphere.

Truc Lam Phuong Nam Zen Monastery (Source: Internet)

16. Can Tho Grand Prison (Historic Site)

Address: No. 8 Ngo Gia Tu Street, Tan An Ward, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City

Highlights:
Can Tho Prison was once the largest prison in the West during the French colonial period – a place where many revolutionary soldiers were detained and tortured. Today, it is preserved as a historical relic with prison cells, prisoner models, authentic images and documents to help visitors better understand a tragic period of the nation.

Can Tho Big Hospital (Source: Internet)

17. Gian Gua Relic Site

Address: Nhon Khanh Hamlet, Nhon Nghia Commune, Phong Dien District, Can Tho City

Highlights:
Gian Gua is a complex of ancient banyan trees hundreds of years old, standing out with their intertwined roots forming a magical natural green dome. Not only does it have a unique ecological value, this place is also associated with the historical mark of revolution when it was once a shelter and meeting place for resistance forces. The cool, quiet and sacred space brings a feeling of both mystery and solemnity, making it an ideal destination for tourists who love nature and want to learn about local history.

Banyan Tree Relic Site(Source: Internet)

Entertainment & Culinary Delights in the Capital of the West

18. Tay Do Night Market & Ninh Kieu Night Market

Address:

• Tay Do Night Market: Hai Ba Trung Street, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City
• Ninh Kieu Night Market: Ninh Kieu Park area, Tan An ward, Ninh Kieu district

Highlights:
As two of the most prominent night markets in Can Tho, this is an ideal place to immerse yourself in the vibrant nightlife atmosphere of the West. Visitors can comfortably stroll, shop for souvenirs, accessories, cheap clothes and especially enjoy a variety of attractive street foods such as grilled rice paper, fried corn, sweet soup, grilled spring rolls, mixed fruit, etc. The bustling, local atmosphere brings a familiar and unforgettable experience when exploring Can Tho city at night.

Ninh Kieu night market (Source: Internet)

19. Ninh Kieu Pedestrian Bridge (Love Bridge)

Address: Connecting from Ninh Kieu Park to Cai Khe Islet, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City

Highlights:
With a soft S-shaped design and a brilliant LED lighting system at night, Ninh Kieu pedestrian bridge is not only an ideal place for a walk but also a "virtual living coordinate" that attracts tourists. From here, you can enjoy the whole view of the gentle Hau River, the whole shimmering Ninh Kieu Wharf and enjoy the cool breeze in the poetic and romantic space of Can Tho at night.

Can Tho Love Bridge(Source: Internet)

20. Cafes & Bars

Suggested address:

• WIMI Cocktail & Bar Can Tho
• Foxie Korean Can Tho
• Dusk Till Dawn Cocktail Bar
• Ninh Kieu Sky Bar
• Coti Cafe
• Sweet Grass Tea Shop of May

Highlights:
Can Tho has many cafes with diverse styles, from nostalgic vintage to luxurious modern. You can relax by watching the river, reading a book or chatting with friends in a peaceful setting. When night falls, the small bars and pubs by the river with bright lights will be the ideal stop to enjoy music, cocktails and the bustling atmosphere.

Dusk Till Dawn Cocktail Bar(Source: Internet)

21. Ong De Eco-tourism Village

Address: Group 26, My Ai Hamlet, My Khanh Commune, Phong Dien District, Can Tho City

Highlights:
Not only are these tourist attractions in the countryside, they also integrate many interesting folk games such as walking on monkey bridges, pig racing, catching fish in ditches, watching animals racing, etc. Visitors can also watch amateur music performances, make traditional cakes and enjoy rustic country dishes in a cool, peaceful green space.

Ong De Eco-tourism Village (Source: Internet)

21. Can Tho's culinary specialties - Eat once and remember forever

Here are the Can Tho specialties that you should not miss:

• Banh xeo: Western-style pancakes are big and round, with a crispy crust and a filling of shrimp, meat, bean sprouts and green beans. When served with wild vegetables and sweet and sour fish sauce, the flavors blend together and become irresistibly attractive.
• Duck hotpot with fermented bean curd:A typical hotpot dish of the Tay Do region with a light fatty taste from fermented bean curd, the rich taste of taro and soft duck meat soaked in spices. Suitable to enjoy in a gathering of friends or a family dinner.
• Cai Rang grilled spring rolls:The dish is famous for its fragrant, evenly grilled spring rolls, served with rice vermicelli, raw vegetables, green bananas and a special fish sauce – creating a delicious combination of sour, spicy, salty and sweet flavors.
• Cake:Banh Cong is a rustic dish with a crispy crust, fatty shrimp and meat filling mixed with rich green beans. Enjoy it while it is still hot to clearly feel the crispness and characteristic aroma.
• Grilled snakehead fish:The snakehead fish is grilled whole with straw, preserving the natural sweetness of the fish meat. When eaten with raw vegetables and tamarind fish sauce or fermented fish sauce, the flavor becomes complete and full of the countryside.
• Purple sticky rice cake:A famous specialty of Can Tho, purple sticky rice cake has a natural purple color from purple leaves, green bean paste, lard and salted egg. The rich, fatty and fragrant taste of the cake makes anyone who eats it remember it forever.

Can Tho pancakes (Source: Internet)

For more details on how to travel and the ideal time, you can refer to the guide:Can Tho Tourism by Vietnam Airlines.

From vibrant river life and delicious local food to cultural heritage and peaceful countryside experiences, Can Tho promises unforgettable memories. Whether you're planning a relaxing weekend escape or a deeper journey into the heart of the Mekong Delta, this welcoming land of Tay Do will greet you with sincerity and charm. So don’t wait—gather your friends or family, and start planning your trip to discover what to do in Can Tho today!