Discover The Charm Of Can Tho: A 3-Day Itinerary

Can Tho is a lively hub in the Mekong Delta, known for its bustling pace of life. Spending three days in this city allows you to experience its authentic charms, stunning sceneries, and unique culture of the Kinh, Hoa, Cham, and Khmer communities.

Discover the Charm of Can Tho: A 3-Day Itinerary and experience the best of this vibrant city firsthand!

Day 1 Arrival and Can Tho City Exploration

Morning

• Travel from Saigon to Can Tho:
  • For those who book a tour from Ho Chi Minh City, your ticket price includes transportation. 
  • Traveling by sleeper bus is the most effective option for backpackers. On average, it takes about 3 hours, and a one-way ticket costs approximately 165,000 – 200,000 VND.
  • You can also rent a motorbike for a more flexible and adventurous journey. This allows you to explore the area at your own pace. Motorbike rentals are widely available, providing an affordable alternative for those who prefer a more independent travel experience.
• Check in to your accommodation: This is a big city, so most of its accommodations are well-equipped, ensuring visitors a comfortable stay. It warmly welcomes every visitor with open arms, offering many accommodation options to suit diverse preferences.
  • Homestays: For an authentic local experience, options like Can Tho Ecolodge, Vam Sang Rustic, and Green Village Mekong Can Tho offer warm hospitality, charming surroundings, and a closer connection to the region’s natural beauty.
  • Hotels: There are plenty of hotel options, ranging from luxury to more affordable choices. Popular selections include Muong Thanh Luxury Can Tho Hotel, Sheraton Can Tho, TTC Premium Can Tho Hotel, and Victoria Can Tho Resort, with many more available to suit various preferences.
  • Resorts: For a more luxurious and tranquil stay, Joy Journeys has carefully selected options such as Mekong Silt Ecolodge and Bamboo Eco Village to serve our customers.

Afternoon

• Enjoy an ‘authentic’ lunch: Indulge in delicious local cuisine like ‘banh xeo’, crab paste noodle soup, or explore a local restaurant for an authentic lunch featuring steamed shrimp, sour fish broth, braised pork, and more.
• Visit Ninh Kieu Wharf: This is a popular spot for evening walks. The atmosphere is lively and exciting, with activities such as enjoying Vietnamese snacks (grilled rice paper, fried fish balls, and mixed fruit), walking around Ninh Kieu Park, and taking pictures on the Love Bridge.

Evening

• Dinner cruise on the Hau River: Enjoy an intimate dinner with your loved ones in a beautiful natural setting. This is a must-have experience for couples on your Can Tho itinerary.
• Shopping at Ninh Kieu Night Market: After your dinner cruise, explore the vibrant night market, where you can browse local handicrafts, souvenirs, and enjoy the lively atmosphere.

Day 2 Cai Rang floating markets and local villages

Morning

• Explore the Cai Rang Floating Market: Depart from your accommodation to visit Cai Rang Floating Market, one of the most famous attractions in the city. Immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of the river market by enjoying breakfast and fresh fruits on a boat.
• Try rice paper-making workshop: Visit a 200-year-old rice paper-making workshop in Thuan Hung Ward. In March 2023, it was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage. If you are planning for your Can Tho itinerary with kids, this must be in your destination list.

• Visit a local orchard: Can Tho is home to many renowned fruit orchards, including Phong Dien Fruit Garden, Rach Ke Fruit Garden, and My Khanh Fruit Garden. Visit these orchards to learn about the region’s agricultural industry and gain hands-on experience.

Afternoon

• Have lunch at a traditional village home: Enjoy a traditional village lunch at a local garden restaurant.
• Sightsee Binh Thuy Ancient House: Located at 26/1A Bui Huu Nghia Street in Binh Thuy, this beautiful ancient house is a popular attraction for tourists visiting Can Tho. The house features a unique blend of architectural styles, with an exterior resembling a European building. At the same time, the interior showcases traditional Vietnamese design.

Evening

• Have dinner at a local restaurant or cooking class: Many hotels and resorts in the Mekong Delta offer cooking classes where tourists can learn to prepare Vietnamese dishes like ‘banh xeo’, spring rolls, and banh tet. You can join these classes and enjoy a self-prepared dinner afterward.

Day 3 Cultural immersion and departure

Morning

• Learn about the city’s stories at Can Tho Museum: Covering nearly 3,000 m², Can Tho Museum showcases artifacts that highlight the history, culture, and achievements of its people. The exhibits reflect the contributions of the Kinh, Hoa, and Khmer ethnic groups throughout various historical periods.
  • 1st Floor: Displays and recreates the natural and social characteristics of Can Tho.
  • 2nd Floor: Features artifacts related to the resistance periods against the French and Americans.

• Explore the picturesque Can Tho University campus: Known for its vast area, the Can Tho University campus is often described as a paradise with its romantic and dreamy landscapes. It meets high standards of being green, clean, and beautiful, offering a serene environment for both study and leisure.

Afternoon

• Have a local lunch in Can Tho City: Enjoy a meal featuring fresh seafood caught from the local rivers and seas. Popular dining options include Co Ba Garden Restaurant, Chi Toi Restaurant, and Am Thuc Song Que Restaurant,…
• Return to the Hotel: Complete the check-out procedure.
• Shopping for souvenirs: Visit Tan An Market, one of the largest and oldest markets in Can Tho, to fulfill your shopping needs.
• Departure from Can Tho: Head back to the bustling city of Saigon.

FAQs about Can Tho tour

Can Tho is it worth visiting?

Known as the “City of the Mekong Delta,” Can Tho is renowned for its picturesque rivers, rich cultural heritage, and unique local cuisine. If you’re looking to immerse yourself in nature and escape the hustle and bustle of city life, then Can Tho is the perfect destination.

How many days should I spend in Can Tho?

Given Can Tho’s rich culture and natural beauty, visitors should stay for at least two days and one night. However, a three-day, two-night stay is ideal for exploring Can Tho’s culture and lifestyle. From the Cai Rang floating market to lush gardens and landmarks like the Binh Thuy Ancient House and Can Tho Museum, there is plenty to see and do in Can Tho.

What are the must-see attractions in Can Tho?

Cai Rang Floating Market: Recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage, Cai Rang Floating Market is one of the most captivating tourist destinations in the Mekong Delta. It offers unique experiences, including tasting tropical fruits and enjoying local specialties, which you should not miss.

Ninh Kieu Wharf: This charming wharf features picturesque river views and embodies the region’s cultural essence. As a symbol of Can Tho City, Ninh Kieu Wharf is associated with the area’s heroic history. It also boasts a night market and a park for tourists to enjoy:

• Ninh Kieu Night Market offers a variety of unique souvenirs indoors. Outside, you’ll find a bustling array of street food stalls serving countless dishes such as wontons, grilled rice paper, mixed rice paper, fried fish balls, and mixed fruit.
• Ninh Kieu Park has a large area of 7,000m2 and meticulously designed green space. It’s a perfect destination for tourists seeking relaxation and fresh air.
• Love Bridge is a picturesque S-shaped bridge connecting Ninh Kieu Wharf and Cai Khe Islet. Completed in 2016, the bridge features a delicate LED lighting system and two large lotus platforms on either side.

Binh Thuy Ancient House: Nearly 150 years old, Binh Thuy Ancient House is a unique architectural gem in Can Tho that has preserved its historic charm. Built by Mr. Duong Chan Ky, a wealthy intellectual and artistic landowner, the house reflects a luxurious French villa style. It also incorporates traditional Oriental feng shui elements, creating a harmonious blend of Eastern and Western cultures.

My Khanh Tourist Village: Located about 10 km from the city center, My Khanh Tourist Village spans over 300,000 m² and offers a variety of attractions, including fruit gardens, ancient houses, fish ponds, canals, and engaging activities.

Truc Lam Phuong Nam Zen Monastery: Situated in My Khanh Commune, Phong Dien District, Can Tho City, Truc Lam Phuong Nam Zen Monastery is built on nearly 4 hectares and features architecture from the Ly – Tran dynasties. This serene site provides insight into the spiritual and religious life of the Mekong Delta people.

What are some local specialties to try in Can Tho?

• “Lau Mam” – Can Tho Fish Sauce Hot Pot: It is a regional specialty featuring snakehead or striped snakehead fish in a broth made from siamese mud carp fish sauce. It is served with a variety of meats, seafood, and types of regional vegetables.
• “Banh Xeo” – Can Tho Pancakes: These pancakes impress with their golden exterior and delicious filling. The filling varies with pork, chicken, shrimp, prawns, papaya, green beans, and bean sprouts. Each chef’s unique dough and pouring techniques create distinct yet harmonious flavors.
• “Banh Tet la Cam” – Purple Sticky Rice Cake: Banh Tet is a popular Vietnamese holiday treat. Can Tho’s version is known for its beautiful purple color.
• “Banh Cong” – A Traditional Vietnamese Fried Shrimp Cake: Banh Cong is a classic dish originating from the Khmer people of the South. The ingredients include rice flour, green beans, soybeans, cassava, pork, and shrimp. The key to its flavor is the delicious sweet and sour fish sauce.

What is the best time of year to visit Can Tho?

Can Tho enjoys a pleasant climate year-round, with distinct rainy and dry seasons. However, it is generally less affected by storms. 

• The best time to visit is from May to August, during the summer when fruit gardens are in total harvest. 
• From September to November, the flood season offers a chance to experience the rustic life of the Western region and enjoy seasonal specialties unique to this period. 
• From December to February, Can Tho is vibrant with flowers as it approaches the Tet holiday.

How do I get from Can Tho to Saigon?

You can travel from Can Tho to Saigon using the following options:

• Bus: This is the most popular mode of transportation between the two cities. The journey covers approximately 170 km and takes around 3.5 hours. Tickets can be purchased directly at Mien Tay Bus Station or booked online through platforms like VNPay and Vexere.
• Motorbike: For those with a driver’s license, exploring the Mekong Delta by motorbike is a great option. Rental prices range from 200,000 to 300,000 VND per day, depending on the type of vehicle.

Conclusion

Can Tho is a captivating city that beckons with its lush landscapes and vibrant cultural experiences. To truly immerse yourself in its beauty, consider embarking on a journey to discover the charm of Can Tho: a 3-day itinerary designed just for you. 

While Joy Journeys doesn’t offer a fixed 3-day tour, we specialize in crafting personalized experiences that cater to your unique desires and interests. Allow us to help you create unforgettable memories in this enchanting destination. 

• For support and inquiries, feel free to reach out to us through: 
  • Website: joyjourneys.com.vn
  • WhatsApp: +84 (0) 868.17.66.79.