What is the must-try food in Can Tho?

Bun ca (fish noodle soup with fresh fish slices in clear broth, ₫30,000-50,000) and hu tieu Nam Vang (Phnom Penh noodle soup with pork, shrimp, and quail eggs, ₫35,000-60,000) are the essential local dishes.

What is lau mam in Can Tho?

Lau mam is a Mekong Delta fermented fish hotpot — a challenging dish for newcomers with a strong-smelling fermented fish paste broth, fresh river fish, prawns, pork, water spinach, and lotus stems. Available at riverside restaurants for ₫150,000-350,000 per person.

Where is the best street food in Can Tho?

The Can Tho night market (Cho Dem) near the city centre has fresh fruit, grilled meats, and dessert stalls at ₫15,000-50,000 per item. The Cho Can Tho main market is active from early morning with fresh produce and breakfast stalls.

What is banh mi Tay in Can Tho?

A large-format banh mi specific to southern Vietnam — longer, thicker, and more generously filled than the standard version. Available from bakeries near the market for ₫25,000-45,000 ($1-1.80).

Best Restaurants in Can Tho | The Vietnam Guides

Can Tho’s food is southern Vietnamese with Mekong Delta specialties. Fresh river fish, tropical fruits, and the southern Vietnamese noodle and rice culture are all present.

Named restaurants in Can Tho

Nhà Hàng Nam Bộ (1 Ngô Quyền, riverside) — an elegant colonial building on the Hau River serving Vietnamese cuisine with Mekong Delta specialties including elephant ear fish (cá tai tượng) and hotpot. The riverside setting makes it the most atmospheric restaurant in the city. Around 200,000–400,000 VND/person.

Sao Hôm Restaurant (50 Hai Bà Trưng) — a local favourite, particularly good for bánh xèo (sizzling crepes) and grilled seafood. Smaller and less formal than Nam Bộ, better for a straightforward local meal. Around 80,000–150,000 VND/person.

Mekong Restaurant (38 Hai Bà Trưng) — tourist-friendly with river views and a broad menu of Mekong fish dishes. More predictable than the local spots but reliable. Around 150,000–300,000 VND/person.

Nhà Hàng Bình Minh (near the floating market area) — primarily a breakfast spot for bún cá (fish noodle soup) and local rice dishes. A neighbourhood institution with early opening hours to serve those heading to the Cái Răng market.

Cái Răng floating market food boats — the Cái Răng floating market (6am–9am, roughly 6km south of the city centre) has vendors selling bún riêu, cháo (congee), and fresh tropical fruit directly from boats. Not a restaurant in any conventional sense, but the defining food experience of Can Tho and worth the early start.

Bun Ca (fish noodle soup)

A southern Vietnamese noodle soup specific to the delta region. Thin rice vermicelli in a clear fish-based broth, topped with fresh fish slices, tomato, and fresh herbs. Lighter and less spiced than the central Vietnamese bun bo Hue.

Available at street stalls throughout the city. ₫30,000–50,000 ($1.20–2) per bowl.

Hu Tieu Nam Vang (Phnom Penh noodle soup)

The Mekong Delta version of the Chinese-Cambodian noodle soup. A clear pork bone broth with flat rice noodles, pork slices, shrimp, quail eggs, and liver. The Cambodian influence reflects the historical border trade in the delta region.

Hu Tieu Nam Vang restaurants near the Cho Can Tho market: Active from early morning. ₫35,000–60,000 ($1.40–2.40).

Lau Mam (fermented fish hotpot)

A Mekong Delta specialty that is challenging for newcomers — a hotpot based on mam (fermented fish paste) broth with fresh river fish, prawns, pork, water spinach, and lotus stems. The fermented fish base has a very strong smell that moderates when cooked. An acquired taste but genuinely characteristic of the delta.

Available at riverside restaurants in Can Tho: ₫150,000–350,000 ($6–14) per person.

Fresh river fish

The delta’s freshwater fish — catfish (ca ba sa, ca tra), snakehead fish (ca loc), and various smaller species — are available fresh at the Can Tho market and at riverside restaurants. Whole grilled catfish with garlic and butter (ca nuong mo hanh), steamed fish with ginger, and fish hotpot are the main preparations. ₫100,000–250,000 ($4–10) per dish.

Banh Mi Tay

A large format banh mi specific to southern Vietnam — longer, thicker, and more generously filled than the standard. Available from bakeries near the market. ₫25,000–45,000 ($1–1.80).

Ninh Kieu riverside restaurants

The waterfront restaurants serve Vietnamese and seafood menus at mid-range prices. The view of the river and the evening atmosphere compensate for prices slightly above the street food equivalents. ₫100,000–250,000 ($4–10) per person.

The Can Tho night market (Cho Dem)

An evening market near the city centre with fresh fruit, grilled meats, and dessert stalls. A good evening walk-through with the local population. ₫15,000–50,000 ($0.60–2) per item.

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