Can Tho Sights, POI and Things to Do

There’s no doubt about it, the main attraction Can Tho has to offer are the floating markets and the Cai Rang Floating Market has to be top of your list**.

Floating markets

We hopped on one of the many boat tours to Cai Rang Floating Market that go from the riverfront at 5am as this is when it starts so you will have to be up early, though there was a later boat at 7am.

The ride takes 30 minutes to get to the market and there you will be greeted with boats that dot all along the river that sell mostly foods including fruits, vegetables, snacks and drinks. There are also opportunities to try local dishes at the restaurants and the tour costs around VND200,000 and lasts 3-4 hours.

Other floating markets include Phong Dien, which is a retail market and Phung Hiep, which is quite a bit further away but is worth doing if you are staying for a few days.

Pagodas and temples

For the historians and architects, a visit to Buu Tri Pagoda is well worth a visit, which is only a few km from Can Tho. Here you will find a four storey high pagoda with each level having its own Buddha. The place gives off a peaceful vibe and there are some excellent views from the top.

Another pagoda to check out is the Quang Duc Pagoda, which is even closer to the city and contains a golden statue of a sitting Buddha. Unfortunately, this one isn’t as relaxing to meditate at due to the traffic outside.

Another wonderful structure is the Chua Munirensay, which is a Khmer temple and tourists are met with fluttering banners and a bright coloured stupa in the middle of the grounds and you are allowed to climb it.

Museums

A couple museums that we suggest to go and see are the Can Tho Museum, which contains historical items and documents to do with the city and has exhibitions on the wars that it has been through.

The other museum is Military Museum, which goes into more detail about the wars and contains American and Russian military weapons.

Exploring Can Tho on foot

We visited the longest street in the Mekong Delta called Mau Than street, which stretches over 30km. Here, we found a market that sells food, hardware and clothes and there are some historical houses and public buildings to see.

Another area we thought was excellent was the Hai Ba Trung area and here you will find a beautiful park right by the river and there is the Ho Chi Minh statue.

Tours from Can Tho

There are a bunch of tours that you can experience including Bassac wooden cruises, which sets off from Hai Ba Trung. They take you down to Cai Be as well as Chau Doc with both being overnight trips with meals included the USD200 price tag.

The Dinner Tour (USD20) covers the areas of Xuan Khanh and An Phu and as well as giving you the lowdown on the some of the best restaurants they also give you advice on what to pay at shops and where the best drinking places are.

The countryside tour was one of our highlights of our trip as they take you around the surrounding areas on motorbikes away from all the hassle of the city. You will experience the elegant countryside with its numerous farms and taste the local fruits as well as cooking some local dishes and take a boat down some of the narrow canals.

You can also join soccer or volleyball games at Can Tho university, enjoy a head or full body massage close to Xuan Khanh market or visit the Luu Huu Phuoc entertainment park, where there is usually some form of nighttime entertainment on.