Ninh Kieu Waterfront
Best for first-timers: riverside walks, restaurants and the boat pier within about 10 min on foot. Busier at night.
South Vietnam
Can Tho
- Best time
- Dec – Apr
- Ideal stay
- 2 days 1 night
- Avg. cost
- $40 – $70/day
- Airport
- 170km from Ho Chi Minh City
Can Tho Overview
Can Tho is the largest city in the Mekong Delta and the easiest base for floating markets and canal life. It suits first-time delta visitors and short trips from Saigon.
Highlights of Can Tho:
- Cai Rang Floating Market: Leave by 5:30 – 6:00 AM for the busiest trading. A private boat costs about $8 – $16 and shared agency tours about $6 – $10 per person.
- Phong Dien market: A smaller, quieter floating market with fewer tour boats. Pair it with orchards and noodle workshops.
- Ninh Kieu waterfront: Walk the riverside in the evening, then eat at nearby food stalls.
- Canal cycling: Book a half-day cycling tour through rice paddies and orchards. It is easy, flat and good in the cooler morning hours.
Best Time to Visit: Dec – Apr is dry and less humid, with clearer river mornings. Sep – Nov is flood season with heavy showers. Skip midday outdoor tours in hot months.
Book your floating-market boat the night before; the best early departures fill first.
Where to stay in Can Tho
Where to base yourself, by travel style.
Cai Khe Streets
Budget-friendly rooms and local food streets close to Ninh Kieu. Fewer river views.
Phong Dien Countryside
Homestays near a smaller floating market and orchards. Quiet; you need transport for dinner and most sights.
When to visit Can Tho
Temperature, rain and crowds by month.
January
25.9°C ~ 79°F
6 days of rain
Crowds: Busy
February
26.7°C ~ 80°F
3 days of rain
Crowds: Busy
March
28.1°C ~ 83°F
3 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
April
28.9°C ~ 84°F
11 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
May
28.4°C ~ 83°F
25 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
June
27.3°C ~ 81°F
28 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
July
26.8°C ~ 80°F
29 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
August
26.9°C ~ 80°F
29 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
September
26.6°C ~ 80°F
28 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
October
26.5°C ~ 80°F
28 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
November
26.5°C ~ 80°F
21 days of rain
Crowds: Busy
December
26°C ~ 79°F
11 days of rain
Crowds: Busy
Getting to Can Tho
Times, costs and booking links.
Step 1: Fly to Can Tho (VCA) Land, then take a short ride into Ninh Kieu
Can Tho has a small airport with limited routes, mainly Hanoi plus some Phu Quoc and Con Dao flights. Many visitors come by road from Saigon instead (see Step 2).
- Visa: Many nationalities get a 45-day visa-free stay, and others can apply for an e-visa (up to 90 days) at evisa.gov.vn. Rules change, so check the official portal before you fly.
- SIM/eSIM: Buy a tourist SIM or eSIM at your first Vietnam airport (Saigon, Hanoi or Da Nang) before you fly on.
- Cash: Get dong from an ATM at your first airport. Small shops, local eateries and scooter rentals often prefer cash.
- Flights: Check current schedules with the airline; frequencies are lower than at larger airports.
- Onward transport: The airport is on the city’s edge, about 10km from Ninh Kieu. Use Grab or a metered taxi; the ride takes about 20 – 30 min.
