Can Tho
The largest city in the Mekong, Can Tho is a buzzing town with a lively waterfront and a colourful mix of narrow back streets and wide boulevards that make for some rewarding exploration – especially after a few days spent in the wilds. As the political, economic, cultural and transportation centre of the Mekong Delta, Can Tho hums with activity; while its access to nearby floating markets make it a major draw for tourists, who come here to boat along the myriad canals and rivers leading out of town.
Getting there & away
Land
BusThere are buses leaving
HCMC from Mien Tay bus station (about 65, 000d, five hours). Express minibuses make the same trip in about the same time.
The main bus station in Can Tho is about a kilometre north of town at the intersection of Ð Nguyen Trai and Ð Tran Phu. There is another short-haul bus depot about 300m south of the intersection of Ð 30 Thang 4 and Ð Mau Than, which is good for getting to Soc Trang and the Phung Hiep floating market.
Car & motorbike
Whether you travel by car or motorbike, the ride from HCMC to Can Tho along Hwy 1 takes about four hours. There is one ferry crossing at Binh Minh (in Can Tho). The Can Tho ferry runs from 4am to 2am.
To get from ÐL Hoa Binh in Can Tho to the ferry crossing, go along Ð Nguyen Trai to the main bus station and turn right onto Ð Tran Phu.
Place To Visit
Can Tho Museum
The enormous, well-presented Can Tho Museum has exhibits of the history of Can Tho resistance during foreign rule as well as displays on the culture and history of the province. There's a life-size pagoda and ample English signage.
Can Tho Water Park
For a bit of glorious chlorinated fun, try the Can Tho Water Park. Among the attractions are water slides and a wave pool. Children under 1m tall are admitted free.
Cantonese Congregation Pagoda
Occupying a splendid location facing the Can Tho River, this small Chinese pagoda, the Cantonese Congregation Pagoda, was built by the Cantonese Congregation. The original one was constructed on a different site about 70 years ago. The current pagoda was built with funds donated by overseas Chinese more recently. Can Tho used to have a large ethnic-Chinese population, but most of them fled after the anti-Chinese persecutions (1978-79).
Central Market
Many local farmers and wholesalers arrive at the Central Market by boat to buy and sell. The fruit section, near the intersection of Ð Hai Ba Trung and Ð Ngo Quyen, is particularly colourful and stays open until late evening.
Military Museum
Devoted to all things militaristic, the Military Museum has the usual assortment of American War weaponry and Ho Chi Minh portraits. Missiles and a fighter aircraft sit on the front lawn
See more Viet Nam
About Hanoi Vietnam | Around Ho Chi Minh City | About Halong Bay Vietnam | Ba Be National Park | Ba Vi National Park | Bac Lieu | Bai Tu Long Bay | Bo Nau Cave (Pelican cave) | Beaches North of Nha Trang | Ben Tre | Buon Ma Thuot | Ca Mau | Dien Bien Phu | Dong Hoi | Ha Giang | Haiphong | Halong City | Ho Coc Beach | Dong Hoi | Kon Tum | Kim Quy Grotto | Lang Son | Lao Cai | Long Hai | Luon Grotto | Long Xuyen | Mai Chau | Mekong Delta | Mui Ne Beach | My Tho | Phan Rang & Thap Cham | Phan Thiet | Phat Diem | Phong Nha Cave | Phu Quoc Island | Pleiku | Quang Ngai | Rach Gia | Soc Trang | Song Cau | Tam Coc | Tam Dao | Tay Ninh | Thay & Tay Phuong Pagodas | Tra Co Beach | Tra Vinh | Tuy Hoa | Van Don Island | Vinh Long | Vung Tau |
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