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Can Tho Ultimate Travel Guide - vibrant floating market and homestays

Updated: 4 hours ago



TABLE OF CONTENT:


Overview:


Can Tho is the largest city in the Mekong Delta and a lively riverside hub shaped by local life, culture, and trade. Often called the gateway to the delta, it’s best known for its early-morning floating markets, where boats come together to trade fresh produce, fruits, and daily goods. Beyond the river scenes, Can Tho feels like a lived-in city, with riverside walks, cafés, and local neighborhoods that reflect everyday life in southern Vietnam. The city is compact and easy to get around, and the surrounding waterways and villages offer a genuine glimpse into Mekong Delta life.



Our tips on Can Tho:

  • Arrive in Can Tho in the afternoon to have time to relax and settle in.

  • Stay in Can Tho at least 1 night (and honestly 1 night is enough).

  • Rest early so you’re ready for the floating market experience.

  • Book a tour in advance rather than arranging a boat on your own.

  • Wake up early the next morning (around 5:00 a.m.) to join a floating market tour.

  • Independent boat hires can be very touristic and prices are often inflated, so you should avoid it.


HOW TO GET To and travel around Can Tho


  1. Get to Can Tho by Flights:

You can fly to Can Tho (VCA) from several Vietnamese cities, with frequent domestic direct flights from Hanoi (HAN), Da Nang (DAD), Phu Quoc (PQC), and Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)



  1. Get to Can Tho by Public bus or Private taxi.

We made several detailed blogs on this:


From Ho Chi Minh or Saigon to Can Tho (2,45hr - 160km):


From Ben Tre to Can Tho (2,10hr - 120km):


From Chau Doc to Can Tho (3hr - 160km):



Can Tho Central Bus Station
Can Tho Central Bus Station

Alternatively, if you prefer, we can arrange taxis from 4 seat, 7 seat, to 16 seats from anywhere in Vietnam to Can Tho for you with a fair price. You can contact us via WhatsApp to ask the price: +84985222917



  1. Travel around Can Tho by taxi

You can easily reach to your homestay by taking a taxi with affordable price. It's easy to find 4-seat and 7-seat taxis.​​

​​

1. Ask for Taxi at your hotel/ homestay. They will help you arrange it.

2. Traditional Taxi Services brands:

  • Mai Linh Taxi

  • Vinasun Taxi​

3. Use Taxi Apps: Xanh SM or Grab


WEATHEr IN Can Tho

Rainy season: April - November

Dry season: November - April


Whether it is rainy or dry season, the weather here will always be warm and humid. There is no 4 seasons here, no cold, never winter. The sunrise at 6:00am and sunset at 5:30pm everyday. The hottest time of the day is 11:30am - 3pm.


The high season runs from December to April during the dry season, making it the best time to visit Ben Tre. While occasional, unexpected showers may still occur, they rarely disrupt travel plans. Even on rainy days, the town reveals a different kind of charm and remains just as enjoyable to explore. Plus, wandering around in the rain—raincoats or umbrellas in hand—can be a surprisingly fun experience (our guests love it!). Who knows, it might become a highlight of your trip.


→ Tips: Bring sunscreen, sun cream, water, and maybe a bottle of mosquito repellent (though some homestay will provide protections from mosquitos for you). And don’t forget your camera - this town is incredibly photogenic!



How long should you stay in Can Tho


Can Tho is a famous, quite touristy, and a vibrant city, its main highlight is the floating market. One day is usually enough to explore the market and surrounding villages, as the rest of the city feels much like any other busy urban area. In our opinion, there’s no need to stay longer than that.


WhAT TO DO IN Can Tho?


1. book a tour:


Tips: Not all tours are authentic. It’s up to you to check whether a tour is genuine or not. It’s a good idea to read reviews on different platforms, see how recent and frequent they are, and look carefully at photos, because they show exactly the moments that happened on the tours.


Mekong Lily is a recommended tour company. The founder, Lily Cao inspired by her love for Can Tho, the lively floating-market city. She focuses on creating experiences with no crowds and no performances—only genuine local life, real stories, and raw nature.


Photos taken by her guests - Jensen Chua


Mekong Lily tours:


2. Relaxed at your homestay:


Can Tho's homestays are mostly very peaceful and surrounded by nature. Then why don't you spend some quality time to simply rest on the bench chairs or their deck and chill after long traveling days?



3. Cycling:

Borrow a bicycle from your homestay to cycle around the greenery village to simply enjoy the clean air and contemplate the idyllic town, the nature.



  1. Visit Tap Nap unique souvenirs stores Map



Where TO eat & DRINK in Can Tho?


Restaurants

📍 Nem Nuong Thanh Vân – Famous spot for grilled pork, a local favorite.


📍 Nha Hang Lua Nep – Riverside boutique unique designed restaurant with great views and local dishes.



📍 Quán Bánh xèo 7 Toi – Legendary bánh xèo (fried savory pancake) in Can Tho

📍 Quán An Chay Bách Thao – Popular vegetarian/vegan Can Tho restaurant with local chay dishes.

📍 Sao Hôm Restaurant – Well-liked restaurant with Vietnamese and fusion options.


Sweet treats & Coffee

  1. Bông juice and dessert.📍 Map

  1. Sweet beans soup at Can Tho little alley 📍Map

  1. Wood House Coffee📍 Map


4. Tiệm Trà Cỏ Ngọt (Sweet grass tea)📍 Map


5. Quán nước Hoa Yên 📍Map



Where Should you stay in Can Tho? Homestay? Hotel? ReTreat?


1. Hotel:


Sheraton Can Tho: $75: 📍Map


  • Good for comfort and convenience — modern rooms, central location, easy for short stays or day trips, but low local interactions.

  • Modern building, bustling riverside location near the market, well-equipped with AC, private bathrooms, pool, restaurant, and more; clean rooms with breakfast included.


2. Homestay:


Best for authentic Mekong life — local families, home-cooked authentic food, friendly and boutique design, high local interactions.


2.1. Vam Xang Rustic: $55–$75/ night 📍Map


This is our most favorite place in Can Tho. The boutique homestay is beautifully designed with thoughtful details that reflect a deep sense of care and soul. The food is wonderful, the service impeccable, and we’ve been lucky enough to form a genuine friendship with the owners.

  • Well-designed, lots of garden spaces

  • Professional services and friendly staff

  • Eco-friendly, rustic boutique rooms

  • Connect-to-nature outdoor shower

  • Swimming pool, bicycles available

  • Delicious food



For a more immersive experience, Phong Dien is perfect. It's a countryside area, so choosing a Mekong Delta homestay is the best way to soak up the local culture. This area is quieter and offers a unique look at rural life along the Mekong.


WhatsApp / Phone: +84 968 69 37 69

Address: No. 02, Nhon Loc 1 Hamlet, Phong Dien Town, Can Tho City


2.2. Mekong Silt Ecolodge: $53/ night 📍 Map

  • Located in a rural hidden area

  • Surrounded by nature, gardens, lake, and small canals

  • Eco-friendly design





3. Eco-Retreat/Resort:

Perfect for relaxation — lush gardens, scenery, peaceful atmosphere, exquisite design, high-ends standard.


Legacy Mekong Can Tho Autograph Collection (as known as Azerai Can Tho): $190/ night


Perfect for travelers looking for a luxurious, high-end experience.

  • Secluded and remote on an island

  • Well-designed

  • Professional services and friendly staff

  • High-ends, luxury, high price

  • Delicious exquisite food


To get here, please contact the resort in advance. They will guide you to Ninh Kiều Wharf, where their boat will pick you up and take you to the resort on Cồn Ấu Island.




WhatsApp / Phone: (+84) 908 998 550


3.2. Victoria Can Tho Resort: $95/ night

  • Friendly, attentive staff

  • Quiet riverside location

  • Clean, comfortable rooms

  • Some rooms feel slightly dated

  • Relaxing gardens and pool

  • Good breakfast and restaurant food



CONCLUSION

Can Tho is best experienced as a short stop in the Mekong Delta. One night is usually enough to visit the floating market and explore the surrounding waterways and villages. Beyond that, the city feels similar to other busy urban areas, so staying longer is only recommended if you enjoy very slow travel and want to take your time relaxing and enjoying your stay. Can Tho is also a convenient travel stop, as it has its own airport and big public bus station with easy connections.






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