Can Tho: The Heart of the Mekong Delta

Can Tho is the largest city in the Mekong Delta - a city of over 1.2 million on the Hau River (one of the Mekong’s main southern distributaries). It serves as the commercial and transport hub of the delta and as the base for visiting the Cai Rang floating market.

Why base in Can Tho

The Cai Rang floating market is the main attraction in the southern Mekong Delta, and it’s accessible only by boat from Can Tho at dawn. For travellers who want to see the market in full operation (05:00–08:00), an overnight stay in Can Tho is essential - the market has largely dispersed by the time a day trip from HCMC arrives.

Beyond the floating market, Can Tho has a pleasant riverfront (Ninh Kieu waterfront), the Binh Thuy Ancient House, several good local restaurants, and the delta boat tour infrastructure.

Can Tho as a delta base

The city’s central position in the delta makes it a natural hub for further exploration:

• Phong Dien floating market: 25km south by bicycle or motorbike
• Vinh Long: 60km north - river islands, An Binh Island homestays
• Chau Doc: 120km west - Sam Mountain, Cham Muslim community, Cambodia border

Most travellers spending 2–3 nights in Can Tho cover the floating market, a canal boat tour, the city’s local food, and a day trip to one of the surrounding destinations. Browse Can Tho boat tours and floating market trips for guided options across the delta.

The Ninh Kieu waterfront

The riverfront promenade in the city centre is the social hub of Can Tho. In the evening, the waterfront fills with locals eating street food, watching the river, and walking along the illuminated riverside. The boat pier for floating market departures is here.

Before dawn is when the floating markets trade, so book a Cai Rang floating market boat tour from Can Tho the night before.

Seasons

The Mekong Delta has two main seasons. Dry season (December–April) is the most comfortable. Wet season (May–November) floods parts of the delta - the waterways are higher and some roads flood, but the delta life continues and the flooded rice paddies are visually interesting.

Food in Can Tho

Can Tho has excellent local food at market prices. The city’s food identity draws from the wider Mekong Delta cuisine - fresh fish, tropical fruit, and rice-based dishes.

Bun ca (fish noodle soup): A Can Tho breakfast staple. Clear broth with rice noodles, fresh fish, and herbs. ₫30,000–50,000 ($1.20–2) at local restaurants as of 2026.

Banh xeo (sizzling pancake): The Mekong Delta version is larger and more generously filled than the central Vietnamese style. Crispy rice flour pancake with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts. ₫40,000–70,000 ($1.60–2.80) as of 2026.

Night market food: The Ninh Kieu waterfront market operates in the evening with grilled meats, fresh spring rolls, smoothies, and snacks. ₫20,000–60,000 ($0.80–2.40) per item.

Tropical fruit: The delta produces mangosteen, rambutan, durian, dragon fruit, and coconut year-round. The Can Tho market has the freshest and cheapest fruit in the region.

Where to stay in Can Tho

Proximity to the Ninh Kieu boat pier is the main consideration - the floating market tour departs before dawn, and walking distance to the pier is the practical default for most visitors.

Upscale (₫2,000,000–5,000,000 / $80–200): Victoria Can Tho Resort is the long-established luxury property, with a private boat dock, colonial-style buildings, pool, and guided floating market trips for guests - ₫2,500,000–5,000,000 ($100–200). Azerai Can Tho is the upscale alternative on the river with a spa and garden setting at ₫2,000,000–4,500,000 ($80–180).

Mid-range (₫400,000–2,000,000 / $16–80): Nam Bo Boutique Hotel occupies a colonial-era building right on the Ninh Kieu waterfront - excellent position at ₫900,000–2,000,000 ($36–80). Muong Thanh Luxury Can Tho Hotel offers reliable city-centre quality at ₫600,000–1,200,000 ($24–48). Kim Lan Hotel is well-located near the waterfront at ₫400,000–800,000 ($16–32) and good value for the category.

Budget (₫200,000–400,000 / $8–16): Several family-run guesthouses cluster within walking distance of the Ninh Kieu waterfront. These don’t have online booking presence - walk in and check the room. Basic private rooms with air-con. Worth accepting simpler conditions to be close to the pier for the dawn floating market departure.

Search hotels in Can Tho on Booking.com →

For area-by-area advice and the full property breakdown, see our Best Hotels in Can Tho guide.

Hotels along the Ninh Kieu waterfront suit a dawn market start, so compare Can Tho hotels before booking tours.

Where to eat

Co Linh Restaurant: A long-running local restaurant near the Ninh Kieu waterfront serving Southern Vietnamese home cooking - river fish in clay pot, hot pot with river vegetables, and grilled snakehead fish. Approximately ₫80,000–200,000 ($3.20–8) per person as of 2026.

Ninh Kieu Night Market stalls: Open from 18:00 on the waterfront. The best banh xeo in the city - Mekong Delta-style, large and generously filled, at ₫40,000–70,000 ($1.60–2.80). Fresh spring rolls, tropical smoothies, and grilled meats at ₫20,000–60,000 ($0.80–2.40) per item.

Local market breakfasts: The Can Tho central market opens before 06:00 with bun ca (fish noodle soup) stalls at ₫30,000–50,000 ($1.20–2) per bowl - the standard delta breakfast. Recommended for the pre-dawn floating market morning.

Mango Garden Restaurant: Tourist-oriented but reliable for lunch or dinner after the floating market, with a wide menu of Vietnamese dishes and English menus. ₫100,000–250,000 ($4–10) per person as of 2026.

Getting around

The Ninh Kieu boat pier is the departure point for all floating market and canal tours. Bicycle hire from guesthouses costs ₫50,000–100,000 ($2–4) per day - the flat delta landscape is excellent for cycling to smaller villages and canal paths. Grab is available in the city centre. For the floating market, book a boat through your guesthouse: private boat hire costs approximately ₫200,000–400,000 ($8–16) per hour depending on boat size and route.

Getting to Can Tho

Express buses from HCMC’s Mien Tay Bus Station take 3 hours and cost ₫100,000–150,000 ($4–6) as of 2026. Phuong Trang (Futa Bus) is the most reliable operator. Vietnam Airlines also flies direct from Hanoi to Can Tho airport (1.5 hours).

You can also pre-book a private airport or intercity transfer between HCMC and Can Tho, which avoids the bus station transfer at either end.

More in Can Tho

• Things to Do in Can Tho
• Can Tho Floating Markets Guide
• Best Restaurants in Can Tho
• Best Hotels in Can Tho
• Best Hostels in Can Tho
• Getting to Can Tho
• Day Trips from Can Tho

Nearby destinations

• Mekong Delta Travel Guide
• Ho Chi Minh City Travel Guide
• Phu Quoc Travel Guide

Plan your trip

• 1 Week in South Vietnam - HCMC, Mekong Delta and Phu Quoc
• Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc - Route Options and Mekong Stopover

Planning bookings for Can Tho? Our where to stay in Can Tho guide covers areas and budgets, and our best Can Tho tours roundup compares guided options.