You can think of Can Tho as the relaxed, river‑life “capital” of the Mekong Delta, so most of the best things to do are on or near the water and in the markets. 🛶

Quick Scoop

  • Early‑morning floating markets (Cai Rang especially) are the must‑do.
  • Evenings are for Ninh Kieu Wharf , night markets, and riverside food.
  • In between, explore canals, pagodas, fruit gardens, and local villages for a slow, very local vibe.
  • Recently, Can Tho has been getting more investment and infrastructure upgrades, so tourism options and services keep expanding.

1. Absolute Must‑Do Experiences

1.1 Cai Rang Floating Market at Sunrise

  • Take a small‑boat tour starting around 5–6 a.m.; this is where locals trade fruits, veggies, and daily goods right on the river.
  • Grab breakfast on a boat: hủ tiếu (noodle soup) and super‑strong Vietnamese coffee served directly from little cooking stations on the water.
  • Bring cash and a light rain jacket; mornings can be misty and wet.

1.2 Ninh Kieu Wharf & Night Market

  • Stroll along Ninh Kieu Wharf in the late afternoon and evening for river views, street food, and a lively promenade atmosphere.
  • After dark, the area around the Ninh Kieu night market turns into a big open‑air food court with grilled seafood, fresh fruits, snacks, and souvenirs.

2. Classic “What to Do in Can Tho” List

Here’s a practical hit list of activities so you can plan 1–3 days easily.

  1. Sunrise at Cai Rang Floating Market – go by small boat with a local guide.
  1. Visit a rice noodle or rice paper workshop – many tours include a stop where you see how noodles are made and even try making some.
  1. Cruise small canals and “wild canals” – quieter waterways lined with palms and fruit trees; some tours in Can Tho focus on this more off‑the‑beaten‑path scenery.
  1. Walk Ninh Kieu Wharf – sunset photos, boats, street performers, and food.
  1. Explore local markets – Tan An Market by day or Ninh Kieu Night Market for an intense hit of sounds, smells, and colors.
  1. Fruit orchards and villages – visit gardens with mango, durian, longan, etc., often combined with biking or walking through small lanes.
  1. Pagodas and temples – places like Munir Ansay Pagoda are often included in multi‑day Mekong tours passing through Can Tho.
  1. My Khanh Tourist Village (family‑friendly “theme park” style) – folk games, rice paper making, fish catching, music performances, and gardens.
  1. Cocoa or coconut experiences – tours sometimes stop at cacao farms or coconut candy workshops, where you see the process and taste products.
  1. Day trips around the Delta – some itineraries combine Can Tho with Ben Tre or other Mekong spots for more canals, villages, and food experiences.

3. Simple 1–2 Day Itineraries

One Day in Can Tho

  • Early morning : Cai Rang floating market + noodle workshop + short canal cruise.
  • Midday : Rest at your hotel, then walk around central streets and a local daytime market.
  • Evening : Ninh Kieu Wharf and night market for dinner and people‑watching.

Two Days in Can Tho

Day 1

  • Dawn floating market + noodle factory + canal cruise.
  • Afternoon: Visit a fruit orchard and maybe bike around a local village.
  • Evening: Ninh Kieu Wharf + night market, riverside café.

Day 2

  • Visit My Khanh Tourist Village if you like lots of small activities in one place.
  • Or choose a cocoa farm / coconut candy / additional canal tour for more nature and local life.
  • Finish with a relaxed coffee at a riverside café before heading on to your next city.

4. Food & Market Culture You Shouldn’t Miss

Food is a huge part of “what to do in Can Tho” – much of it happens at markets and on boats.

  • Breakfast on the water : noodle soup and coffee served from tiny kitchens on boats at Cai Rang.
  • Night market bites : grilled seafood, bánh tráng nướng (Vietnamese “pizza”), fresh fruit juices, and sweet snacks at Ninh Kieu area.
  • Local specialties :
    • Crispy bánh xèo (sizzling pancake) and other Mekong‑style dishes are common at local markets and food stalls.
* Fruit tastings at orchards – mango, durian, longan, and more, reflecting the massive fruit cultivation around Can Tho.

A typical evening could just be: walk to Ninh Kieu Wharf, grab street food, sit by the river with iced coffee or sugarcane juice, and watch the city glow over the water.

5. Recent & “Trending” Context About Can Tho

  • Tourism focus : Online travel platforms highlight Can Tho tours that combine floating markets, wild canals, cocoa farms, and small villages, showing that “authentic Mekong experiences” are in demand for 2025–2026.
  • Economic growth : Recent local government updates describe Can Tho as reinforcing its role as the center of the Mekong Delta , with big investments in infrastructure, logistics, and agriculture (fruit, rice, aquaculture).
  • Better connectivity : Priority projects include ring roads and major expressway connections (like the Chau Doc–Can Tho–Soc Trang expressway), making it easier for travelers to reach and move through the city.

In practice, this means you’re likely to see a city that still feels very “river and market focused,” but with improving roads, more organized tours, and gradually more options for hotels and activities.

6. Quick Tips for Visiting

  • Best time for floating markets : Go very early (around sunrise) to see the busiest action.
  • Clothing : It’s hot and humid most of the time, so light, breathable clothes are your friend; bring something that can handle sun and occasional rain.
  • Phrases to learn (helpful at markets):
    • “Bao nhiêu tiền?” – How much?
    • “Đắt quá” – Too expensive.
    • “Ngon” – Delicious.
    • “Không cay” – Not spicy.
    • “Tôi ăn chay” – I’m vegetarian.

These little phrases can make buying fruit on a boat or haggling in a market more fun and interactive.

7. Short FAQ‑Style Notes

Is Can Tho worth a trip just for the floating market?
Yes – especially if you’ve never seen a working floating market before; Cai Rang is one of the biggest and most active in the Mekong Delta.

Is there much to do besides the floating market?
Definitely: canal cruises, orchards, villages, pagodas, My Khanh Tourist Village, night markets, and lots of food experiences can easily fill two relaxed days.

Is Can Tho changing fast?
The city is currently investing heavily in infrastructure, logistics, and tourism, so you’ll see a mix of traditional river life and a more modern regional hub.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.