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Voykit pocket guide · Vietnam
Ca Mau
Cà Mau
Spend 1–2 days: walk the town, visit Lâm Viên bird park and U Minh National Park, then head to Cape Ca Mau if time permits.
Ca Mau is the southernmost city of mainland Vietnam, a small canal‑lined town with a bird park and easy access to U Minh wetlands. One full day covers the town and nearby park; a second day lets you reach Cape Ca Mau or Dat Mui.
- Country
- Vietnam
- Local name
- Cà Mau
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- Avoid
- May–Oct (heavy rain)
- Stay
- 1–2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- VND
- Money
- VND in small notes (10k–100k) for stalls, markets, xe ôm and tips at spas.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₫120,000–200,000 excl. bed · Mid ₫200,000–350,000 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Viettel, Vinaphone and Mobifone sell tourist SIMs at airport arrivals; passport and a face photo are required for registration.
- Emergency
- Police 113 · Fire 114 · Ambulance 115
- Plugs
- Types A, C, F · 220 V · 50 Hz · Two-pin sockets take flat US pins and round European pins; UK plugs need an adapter.
- Tipping
- Street food and cafés: Nothing; leave small change if you like.; Sit-down restaurant: Round up or 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.; Grab / taxi: Round up; tip in the app if you want.; Spa and massage: ₫50,000–100,000 to the therapist directly; some spas ask for more.; Guide and driver on a day tour: ₫100,000–200,000 per person for the guide, about half that for the driver.; Hotel porter: ₫20,000–50,000.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap. Bottled and filtered water everywhere; hotel refill stations are common. Café ice is factory-made.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in cities and hotels; squat toilets and no paper in rural stops and on long buses — carry tissues. Old plumbing: paper in the bin.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | ₫30,000–45,000 |
| Beer (local brand) | ₫25,000–35,000 |
| Motorbike taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Motorbike taxi (3.1 mi (5 km)) | ₫50,000–70,000 |
| Bird park entry | ₫20,000–30,000 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- CAH · Cà Mau Airport
- 2 km (1.2 mi) from downtown; flights to HCMC 07:30‑08:30, USD 60–802 km (1.2 mi) from downtown; flights to HCMC 7:30 AM‑8:30 AM, USD 60–801.2 mi (2 km) from downtown; flights to HCMC 07:30‑08:30, USD 60–801.2 mi (2 km) from downtown; flights to HCMC 7:30 AM‑8:30 AM, USD 60–80
Typical fares
- Ca Mau ↔ Ho Chi Minh (flight)
- about ₫1,400,000–1,800,000 each way (check)
- Motorbike taxi to U Minh
- ≈₫50,000
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The town is compact; most attractions are within walking distance. Motorbike taxis are available for trips to U Minh (≈20 km (12 mi)).The town is compact; most attractions are within walking distance. Motorbike taxis are available for trips to U Minh (≈12 mi (20 km)).
See and do
Known for
- Lâm Viên bird park
- U Minh National Park
- Cape Ca Mau National Park
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| U Minh National Park | Motorbike or express boat from Ca Mau, about 20 km (12 mi), 30 min by boatMotorbike or express boat from Ca Mau, about 12 mi (20 km), 30 min by boat | ≈1 h |
| Cape Ca Mau National Park | Motorbike or boat, 2 h travel | ≈2 h |
Sleep
- Ánh Nguyệt Hotel
- Central location, basic rooms, good for short stays.
- Best CM
- Near Nguyen Trai, budget-friendly.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Xin chàosin chow |
| Help me! | Cứu tôi với!kuh-oo toy vuh-ee |
| 1, 2, 3 | một, hai, bamoht, hai, bah |
| How much is it? | Bao nhiêu tiền?bow nyew tyen |
| Please take me to this address | Làm ơn chở tôi đến địa chỉ nàylahm uhn chuh toy den dee-ah chee nay |
| Excuse me! (to a younger server) | Em ơi!em uh-ee |
| I have a booking | Tôi đã đặt phòngtoy dah daht fong |
| What time? | Mấy giờ?may zuh |
| Thank you | Cảm ơnkahm uhn |
| Call the police! (113) | Gọi cảnh sát! (113)goy kahn saht |
| 4, 5, 6 | bốn, năm, sáubohn, nahm, sow |
| Too expensive! | Đắt quá!daht kwah |
| I booked a Grab | Tôi đặt Grabtoy daht grab |
| I'll have this one | Cho tôi cái nàychaw toy kai nay |
| Do you have a room free? | Còn phòng không?kon fong khohm |
| Now | Bây giờbay zuh |
| No, thank you (street sellers) | Không, cảm ơnkhohm, kahm uhn |
| Fire! Call the fire service! (114) | Cháy! Gọi cứu hỏa! (114)chai! goy kuh-oo hwah |
| 7, 8, 9, 10 | bảy, tám, chín, mườibay, tahm, cheen, muh-ee |
| Come down a bit | Bớt đibuht dee |
Say it for greetings, prices and 'no ice'. Show the screen for addresses, allergies, medical problems and anything you need done exactly — a wrong tone on those costs more than the embarrassment of pointing at a phone.
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Nod and smile; handshake with men, let women offer first; avoid: Hugs and cheek kisses with people you have just met
- Names: Title plus given name — 'Anh Nam', 'Chị Lan' — the given name comes last; avoid: Calling someone by the family name alone (Nguyễn, Trần)
- Handing things: Both hands, especially money, cards and gifts to older people; avoid: Tossing things across a table
- Conversation: Expect questions about age, marriage and income; they place you, not pry; avoid: Raising your voice or correcting someone in front of others
- Temples and pagodas: Covered shoulders and knees; step over the raised threshold; enter by the right-hand door; avoid: Sitting with your back to an altar; climbing statues for photos
- Photos: Ask first, especially in minority villages; avoid: Paying children for photos — it keeps them out of school
- Home visit: Shoes off; bring fruit, tea or sweets; accept at least a drink; avoid: Pointing your feet at people or the family altar
- Beckoning: Palm down, fingers waving towards you; avoid: Curling one finger — it is used for animals
Scams and watch-outs
- Summer months bring strong monsoon rains; some roads to parks may flood.
- Bird park and parks have limited opening hours; check locally.
Ca Mau is generally safe for tourists; petty theft can occur in crowded areas and at night, so keep valuables secure and stay aware.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Ca Mau yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Lâm Viên bird park
- U Minh National Park
- Cape Ca Mau National Park
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Ca Mau, revision 5310171 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5310171
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/ca-mau). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.