Can Tho, the heart of the Mekong Delta, has long been known as a prosperous and charming “waterfront city.” More than just the economic and cultural center of the Mekong Delta, Can Tho holds immense potential for waterway tourism, gradually establishing its position on Vietnam’s and the international tourism map. With its intricate network of rivers and canals, Can Tho unveils a world of unique experiences where visitors can immerse themselves in the slow, peaceful rhythm of rural river life, explore bustling floating markets, lush orchards, and verdant islets.
The Hidden Charm of Can Tho Waterway Tourism
Can Tho boasts a dense network of rivers and canals, with over 1,100km of waterways, creating a significant advantage for the development of waterway tourism. Its special geographical location, in the lower Mekong River, transforms Can Tho into a cultural crossroads and an ideal gateway to explore the beauty of the Mekong Delta’s waterways. Moreover, nature has generously endowed Can Tho with fertile sandbanks and islets such as Con Au, Con Khuong, Con Son, and Cu Lao Tan Loc, each location possessing a unique charm, enriching the waterway tourism tapestry of this region. The flat delta terrain and mild year-round climate are also favorable factors, creating ideal conditions for tourists to engage in water-based tourism activities.
Boats on Cai Rang Floating Market in the afternoon
The developed waterway transport system not only connects Can Tho with neighboring provinces but also opens up diverse exploration journeys. From Can Tho, visitors can easily travel to Ca Mau to explore the U Minh Ha forest and Dat Mui, to Kien Giang to enjoy the beauty of Phu Quoc island, or to An Giang to visit Chau Doc and discover the Tra Su cajuput forest. These waterways are not just transportation routes but also unique “tourist routes,” leading visitors through stunning natural landscapes and experiencing the distinctive culture of the Mekong Delta region.
Along the Can Tho river routes, the natural scenery unfolds with incredible diversity and allure. Lush green islets dot the water’s surface, interspersed with verdant fruit orchards and vast rice fields, creating a characteristic riverine ecological picture of the Mekong Delta. In particular, the orchards, covering over 20,000 hectares, are a highlight not to be missed in Can Tho tourism. Visitors can immerse themselves in the green space of the gardens, enjoy fresh fruits, and participate in seasonal fruit harvesting experiences, especially during the summer from May to August.
Must-Try Waterway Tourism Experiences in Can Tho
Can Tho waterway tourism offers countless unique and memorable experiences, from exploring vibrant floating markets to relaxing in lush orchards. Here are some waterway tourism experiences you shouldn’t miss when visiting Can Tho:
1. Cai Rang and Phong Dien Floating Markets:
Cai Rang and Phong Dien floating markets are iconic symbols of Can Tho’s river culture, where visitors can most vividly sense the rhythm of life and culture of the Mekong Delta people. Arriving at the floating market in the early morning, you will be immersed in the bustling trading atmosphere on the river, admiring hundreds of boats of all sizes filled with goods, from fruits and vegetables to breakfast food and local handicrafts.
Cai Rang Floating Market Festival
You can rent a boat to freely explore the floating market, enjoy breakfast on the boat with specialties like “hu tieu” (rice noodle soup), “bun rieu” (crab noodle soup), “banh canh” (thick noodle soup), or simply sip coffee and watch the bustling market scene. Cai Rang Floating Market is not only a trading place but also a unique cultural space, a crossroads between tradition and modernity, offering visitors unforgettable experiences. The culture of Cai Rang Floating Market was recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2016, further affirming the cultural and tourism value of this destination.
2. Fruit Orchards:
Can Tho is famous for its lush fruit orchards, an ideal destination for those who love nature and want to experience orchard life. Orchards in Can Tho are often concentrated on sandbanks and islets such as Con Son, Cu Lao Tan Loc, Con Au, etc. Here, you can stroll through green gardens, admire specialty fruits such as durian, rambutan, longan, star apple, mangosteen… and enjoy them fresh in the garden.
Many orchards also integrate ecotourism, organizing experiential activities such as hand-picking fruits, fishing, boating, participating in folk games, and enjoying orchard cuisine. This is a great opportunity for you to relax, immerse yourself in nature, and learn about the lives of local people.
3. Islets and Sandbanks on the River:
The islets and sandbanks on the Hau and Can Tho rivers are not only fertile lands but also attractive ecotourism destinations. Con Son is one of the famous destinations, known for its unique community-based tourism model, where visitors can experience the lives of local people, participate in agricultural activities, and enjoy local specialties. Cu Lao Tan Loc is developing eco-tourism urban projects, promising to bring high-end resort experiences amidst riverine nature. Con Au is also a potential destination with the Nova Phu Sa resort, offering luxurious and nature-friendly resort space.
4. Exploring Can Tho by Night on the River:
To make Can Tho waterway tourism even more attractive, exploiting nighttime activities on the river is a promising direction. Visitors can join nighttime boat tours on the Can Tho River, admire the shimmering city at night, enjoy dining on the boat, and participate in cultural and artistic activities. Developing night markets on the river and riverside entertainment areas are also good ideas to attract tourists and extend their stay in Can Tho.
Connecting and Exploring Waterway Tourist Routes from Can Tho
With its central location in the Mekong Delta, Can Tho plays a role as a gateway connecting to many other provinces in the region. Can Tho waterway tourism is not limited to the city but also extends to neighboring provinces, creating attractive inter-regional tourist routes.
Waterway tourist routes from Can Tho to Ca Mau, Kien Giang, and An Giang have been developed and are increasingly being improved, offering visitors many choices to explore the beauty of the Mekong Delta waterways. In particular, the river tourism route connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho is being focused on development, promising to be a unique and attractive tourism product, attracting tourists from all over the country and internationally. The journey from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho by waterway will offer a completely new perspective on the beauty of the Mekong Delta, from small canals to large rivers, from peaceful villages to bustling cities.
River tourism in Can Tho offers many exciting experiences for tourists
To develop waterway tourism sustainably and effectively, Can Tho needs to focus on investing in upgrading waterway transport infrastructure, building modern wharves and ports, and developing tourism support services. At the same time, preserving and promoting riverine cultural values and protecting the ecological environment are also important factors for Can Tho waterway tourism to increasingly develop and affirm its position as one of the leading waterway tourism destinations in Vietnam.
Tips and Advice for Can Tho Waterway Tourism
To have a complete and memorable Can Tho waterway tourism trip, you can refer to some tips and advice below:
- Ideal time to visit: Summer (from May to August) is the most suitable time to visit Can Tho, when fruit orchards are in harvest season and the weather is quite pleasant. However, you should also prepare for unexpected summer rains in the South.
- Transportation: To explore waterway tourism, you can rent a private boat or join river tours organized by local travel companies.
- Preparation: Bring sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, long-sleeved shirts, and insect repellent to protect your skin from the sun and insects. If you are prone to motion sickness, prepare motion sickness medicine before boarding the boat.
- Culinary experiences: Don’t forget to enjoy Can Tho specialties such as “lau mam” (fermented fish hotpot), grilled snakehead fish, “banh xeo” (crispy pancake), Cai Rang grilled spring rolls… and fresh fruits in the orchards.
- Responsible tourism: Please maintain environmental hygiene, do not litter in rivers and canals, and respect the culture and customs of local people.
Foreign tourists experience eating pineapple on a boat at Can Tho floating market
Can Tho waterway tourism is not just a journey to explore natural beauty but also an opportunity for you to learn about the culture and life of the Mekong Delta people. Come to Can Tho to experience the interesting and unique things that waterway tourism here offers, you will surely have unforgettable memories of this prosperous and hospitable land of the West.