Can Tho, the heart of the Mekong Delta, has long been renowned for its bustling floating markets, lush fruit orchards, and the gentle hospitality of its people. Beyond the well-known landmarks, Can Tho holds another simple yet sweet charm: its verdant watermelon gardens stretching across fertile alluvial fields. When visiting Can Tho, don’t just rush to explore the floating markets or savor the local fermented fish hotpot; take the time to visit a watermelon garden, immerse yourself in the rustic countryside atmosphere, and experience the delightful offerings of this place.
When is the Best Time to Visit Can Tho Watermelon Gardens?
Can Tho enjoys a tropical monsoon climate, with fruit trees flourishing year-round. However, for the most fulfilling visit to Can Tho’s watermelon gardens, the ideal time is from February to May. This is the peak harvest season for watermelons, when plump, vibrant green fruits lie side-by-side on the vines, creating a stunning and inviting scene.
Alternatively, if you wish to combine your Can Tho trip with enjoying a variety of other fruits, the summer months from May to August are also an excellent choice. During this period, fruit orchards in Can Tho are simultaneously ripe with rambutans, mangosteens, durians, santols, and more, offering a delightful array for you to explore and savor.
Lush green watermelon garden, a unique ecotourism highlight in Can Tho.
Lush green watermelon garden is one of Can Tho’s unique ecotourism highlights.
How to Get to Can Tho Watermelon Gardens?
To visit Can Tho’s watermelon gardens, you have several transportation options, depending on your starting point and personal preferences:
Motorbike – A Favorite Among Adventurers
If you are someone who loves freedom and wants to explore Can Tho comprehensively, a motorbike is an ideal choice. From Ho Chi Minh City, you can follow National Highway 1A, which takes approximately 4-5 hours to reach Can Tho. The route is relatively straightforward, allowing you to enjoy the picturesque Mekong Delta scenery along the way.
Upon arriving in Can Tho, you can rent a motorbike at your hotel, homestay, or rental shops. Motorbike rental prices in Can Tho range from VND 100,000 to 150,000 per day, depending on the type of bike. A motorbike will give you easy access to watermelon gardens located in the city’s outskirts or nearby areas.
Exploring Can Tho's garden beauty by motorbike, an exciting experience for adventurous travelers.
Exploring the garden beauty of Can Tho by motorbike is an exciting experience for those who love adventurous travel.
Bus – Convenient and Affordable
Buses are a popular and economical means of transport to reach Can Tho. You can easily purchase bus tickets to Can Tho at the Western Bus Station or book online. Bus fares from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho range from VND 130,000 to 180,000 per ticket.
Once you arrive at Can Tho bus station, you can take a taxi, ride-hailing motorbike, or bus to reach other attractions, including watermelon gardens. However, if you prefer more flexibility in your travel, renting a motorbike in Can Tho is recommended.
River Transportation – Rich in Mekong Delta Flavor
For a truly Mekong Delta-style travel experience in Can Tho, traveling by boat, canoe, or sampan is an unmissable option. You can hire a boat to explore Cai Rang Floating Market, the islets and dunes on the Hau River, and combine it with visits to riverside watermelon gardens.
Can Tho river tours often include visits to watermelon gardens and other fruit orchards. You can contact tour companies or local residents to book a tour and experience this unique way of travel.
Experiencing boat travel on Can Tho's waterways and exploring riverside watermelon gardens.
Experience traveling by boat on Can Tho’s waterways and explore riverside watermelon gardens.
Fun Activities to Explore in Can Tho Watermelon Gardens
Visiting Can Tho watermelon gardens is not just an opportunity to admire the vast green fields of watermelons, but also a chance to engage in many exciting and unique activities:
Witness the Watermelon Growing Process Firsthand
At the watermelon garden, you will witness firsthand the watermelon growing process, from seed selection, planting, and nurturing to harvesting. Can Tho farmers will enthusiastically share their experiences and secrets to growing delicious, sweet watermelons. You will gain a deeper appreciation for the effort and dedication farmers invest in producing quality watermelons.
Pick Your Own Watermelons at the Garden
One of the most enjoyable experiences when visiting Can Tho watermelon gardens is picking ripe watermelons yourself, right from the vine. The feeling of personally selecting and harvesting watermelons you’ve picked yourself will create unforgettable memories. You can purchase watermelons directly from the garden at reasonable prices and ensure their fresh quality.
Savor Fresh and Delicious Watermelon
After your tour and watermelon picking, you will have the pleasure of enjoying fresh, sweet, and juicy watermelons right at the garden. Can Tho watermelons are renowned for their refreshing sweetness, bright red flesh, and juiciness. Amidst the lush green garden setting, savoring a sweet slice of watermelon will help you quench your thirst and feel more relaxed than ever.
Check-in and Capture Instagrammable Moments in the Vast Watermelon Garden
The watermelon gardens of Can Tho, with their expansive green hues, provide a fantastic backdrop for stunning photos. You can freely pose amidst the watermelon vines, plump watermelons, or vibrant green rows. You are sure to capture unique and impressive photos to share with friends.
Recommended Famous Watermelon Gardens in Can Tho
Can Tho boasts numerous beautiful and well-known watermelon gardens. Here are a few locations you can consider:
- Thoi Lai Commune Watermelon Garden: Located in Thoi Lai District, about 30km from Can Tho city center. This is one of the largest watermelon growing areas in Can Tho.
- Phong Dien Watermelon Garden: Phong Dien District is also a major watermelon granary of Can Tho. Watermelon gardens here are often combined with other fruit trees, creating a diverse and appealing countryside space.
- Riverside Watermelon Gardens along the Hau River: Along the banks of the Hau River, you can also find many charming small watermelon gardens. Visiting these gardens can be combined with a boat trip on the river and exploring the local life of the residents.
Chin Hong fruit garden, a famous ecotourism spot in Can Tho, where you can combine a visit with watermelon gardens.
Chin Hong Fruit Garden is a famous ecotourism destination in Can Tho, where you can combine a visit to the watermelon garden.
Combine Your Watermelon Garden Visit with Other Attractions in Can Tho
To make your Can Tho trip even more complete, you can combine your watermelon garden visit with other famous destinations in the city:
- Cai Rang Floating Market: Cai Rang Floating Market is a tourism icon of Can Tho. Here, you will experience the bustling atmosphere of trading on the waterways, enjoy local specialties, and watch the sunrise over the river.
Cai Rang floating market, a must-visit destination in Can Tho, combinable with watermelon garden tours.
Cai Rang Floating Market is a must-visit destination when traveling to Can Tho, and you can combine visiting the floating market and watermelon gardens.
- Ninh Kieu Wharf: Ninh Kieu Wharf is a popular spot for strolling, enjoying views of the Hau River, and savoring famous Can Tho street food. In the evening, Ninh Kieu Wharf becomes vibrant and lively with night markets and entertainment activities.
- Binh Thuy Ancient House: Binh Thuy Ancient House is a unique architectural structure, imbued with the culture and history of Can Tho. This ancient house has served as the setting for many famous films.
Binh Thuy ancient house, a cultural and historical attraction in Can Tho.
Binh Thuy Ancient House is an attractive cultural and historical destination in Can Tho, and you can combine visiting the ancient house and watermelon gardens.
- Truc Lam Phuong Nam Zen Monastery: Truc Lam Phuong Nam Zen Monastery is a large and beautiful temple in Can Tho, offering a peaceful and serene atmosphere. Here, you can admire the temple’s scenery, learn about Buddhism, and relax your soul.
Conclusion
Visiting Can Tho watermelon gardens is a unique and enjoyable countryside tourism experience that you should not miss when coming to the Mekong Delta. Not only will you admire the vast green watermelon fields and savor fresh, delicious watermelons, but you will also have the opportunity to learn about the watermelon growing process, immerse yourself in the simple life of the local people, and capture beautiful check-in photos. Come to Can Tho and explore the sweet watermelon gardens to make your trip more meaningful and memorable.