What time should I go to Cai Rang floating market?

Depart from the Ninh Kieu waterfront by boat at 04:30-05:00 to arrive at the market for 05:30-06:00. The market is most active until 08:30. Shared boat price is ₫150,000-250,000 ($6-10) per person.

How much do canal boat tours cost in Can Tho?

Half-day canal tours depart from the Ninh Kieu waterfront for ₫150,000-350,000 ($6-14) per person on shared tours. They typically visit a coconut candy workshop, a honey and bee farm, and pass through narrow canals by rowing boat.

Can you cycle from Can Tho?

Yes, the flat roads east and south of the city pass through rice farming communities and small villages. Bicycle hire from hotels costs ₫50,000-80,000 ($2-3.20) per day for a pleasant half-day circuit through paddies and canal banks.

Things to Do in Can Tho | The Vietnam Guides

Can Tho’s activities are river and delta focused. Two full days covers the floating market, a canal tour, and the city sights.

Cai Rang Floating Market (dawn)

The primary reason to visit Can Tho. See the dedicated floating markets page for the full guide. Summary: hire a boat from Ninh Kieu waterfront the evening before, depart 04:30–05:00, arrive at the market for 05:30–06:00, return by 08:30. Price: ₫150,000–250,000 ($6–10) per person on a shared boat.

The market is a genuine wholesale produce market. You will see hundreds of boats trading watermelons, pineapples, cabbage, and coconuts. Small rowing boats sell coffee and breakfast among the wholesale boats. The experience is genuinely atmospheric.

Phong Dien Floating Market (smaller, quieter)

25km south of the city, the Phong Dien market operates 04:00–08:00. A bicycle ride from Can Tho (25km flat road) or motorbike. Less visited than Cai Rang and more focused on local trade.

Ninh Kieu Waterfront

The riverside promenade in the city centre. Best in the evening when locals gather along the waterfront for food, conversation, and the river views. The Can Tho Bridge illuminated at night is visible from the waterfront. Street food stalls operate along the riverside.

Binh Thuy Ancient House

A well-preserved 19th-century French-Vietnamese merchant house 6km from the city centre. Used as a filming location for the film L’Amant (The Lover, based on the Marguerite Duras novel). The interior - carved woodwork, antique furniture, and mixed French and Vietnamese elements - is in excellent condition.

Entry: ₫20,000 ($0.80). Accessible by bicycle or motorbike.

Canal boat tours

Half-day canal tours depart from the Ninh Kieu waterfront into the smaller waterways south and east of the city. The tours typically visit a coconut candy workshop, a honey and bee farm, and pass through narrow canals by rowing boat.

Price: ₫150,000–350,000 ($6–14) per person for shared tours. You can also book Can Tho boat tours and river experiences through GetYourGuide for guided options with verified reviews.

Cycling from Can Tho

The flat roads east and south of the city pass through rice farming communities and small villages. Bicycle hire from city hotels: ₫50,000–80,000 ($2–3.20) per day. A half-day cycling circuit through the paddies and canal banks is a good complement to the boat tour experience.

Can Tho Market (Cho Can Tho)

The main city market near the Ninh Kieu waterfront. A working wet market with fresh produce, fish, meat, and the delta’s characteristic fruits (durian, rambutan, longan). Active from early morning. Good for a walk-through and breakfast at the market stalls.

Eating and drinking in Can Tho

Hu tieu Nam Vang: Can Tho’s version of the Phnom Penh noodle soup - pork, shrimp, and crispy shallots in a clear pork broth. Available at street stalls and local restaurants from 06:00 for ₫35,000–60,000 ($1.40–2.40) as of 2026. The market area near the waterfront is the best zone for early morning hu tieu.

Bun ca: Fish noodle soup, another Can Tho specialty. Clear broth with thick rice noodles and fried fish pieces. ₫35,000–55,000 ($1.40–2.20) at market stalls.

Night market on Hai Ba Trung Street: Runs from approximately 18:00 to 22:00 near the waterfront, with grilled seafood, banh xeo (sizzling crepes), and smoothies. Budget approximately ₫100,000–200,000 ($4–8) for a full evening meal grazing the stalls.

How many days to spend in Can Tho

1 day (minimum): Dawn floating market, canal boat tour in the morning, Ninh Kieu waterfront in the evening. The floating market experience alone justifies the stop.

2 days (recommended): Adds the Binh Thuy Ancient House, Phong Dien floating market (25km south), and a proper half-day cycling circuit into the rice paddies. Two days gives a genuinely complete picture of the city and delta lifestyle.

3+ days: Allows day trips to Vinh Long, Ben Tre, and Sa Dec without rushing. Can Tho works well as a multi-day delta base.

Top Tours at a Glance

Here’s a quick comparison of top-rated Can Tho tours on GetYourGuide:

Tour	Duration	Price (from)	Group Size	Highlights
Cai Rang Floating Market Early Morning Boat Tour	3–4 hrs	from $18/person	Small group	Pre-dawn departure, floating vendors, authentic delta trade, English guide
Can Tho Half-Day City and Canal Tour	4 hrs	from $22/person	Small group	Binh Thuy Ancient House, Ninh Kieu pier, narrow canal sampan ride
Mekong Delta Day Trip from Can Tho	Full day	from $35/person	Group	Phong Dien market, honey farm, coconut candy workshop, home lunch
Can Tho Cycling and Village Tour	5–6 hrs	from $28/person	Up to 10	Rice paddies, rural villages, local family lunch, cycling on delta paths
Can Tho Sunset Dinner Cruise on the Mekong	2–3 hrs	from $30/person	Group	River views, local seafood dinner, folk music, lantern lighting

Browse all Can Tho tours → GetYourGuide

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Things to Do in Can Tho : Floating Market, Boat Tours

Top-rated experiences in Can Tho