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Voykit pocket guide · Vietnam
Can Tho
Cần Thơ
Sleep one or two nights in Cần Thơ to see the Cái Răng floating market at dawn (boat at 05:30), then canals and orchards by bike; it is the delta's easiest base.
Cần Thơ is the Mekong Delta's largest city, on the Hậu River. Its Ninh Kiều riverside, night market and the Cái Răng floating market make it the natural base for a delta overnight from Saigon. Since 2025 the city also includes Sóc Trăng and Hậu Giang (check addresses).
- Country
- Vietnam
- Local name
- Cần Thơ
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- Avoid
- Sep–Oct (peak floods, 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 ₫400,000–700,000 excl. bed · Mid ₫800,000–1,500,000 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 |
|---|---|
| Private boat, 3–4 h | ₫500,000–800,000 per boat |
| Lẩu mắm for two | ₫250,000–400,000 |
| Bus from Saigon | ₫180,000–250,000 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- VCA · Cần Thơ International
- About 10 km; car 20 min; domestic flights
Typical fares
- Saigon → Cần Thơ, bus
- ₫180,000–250,000, 3.5–4 h
- VCA → riverside, car
- ₫120,000–180,000
Get around
Walk the riverside; ride-hailing in town; boats from Ninh Kiều pier for the markets.
See and do
Known for
- Cái Răng floating market
- Ninh Kiều riverside
- Canal cycling
- Bình Thủy ancient house
- Lẩu mắm hot pot
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Phong Điền floating market | Boat 1 h from Cái Răng | Half day |
| Mekong Delta | Boats and bikes | 1–2 days |
| Châu Đốc | Bus 3–3.5 h | Onward |
Sleep
- Ninh Kiều riverside
- Walk to the pier for the dawn boat.
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
- Floating markets finish by about 09:00: book the 05:30 boat.
- Agree boat price per boat and duration; private boats cost more but go further.
- The market is smaller than it used to be as roads replace river trade.
Safe and relaxed; river safety and traffic on the highway.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Can Tho yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Cái Răng floating market
- Ninh Kiều riverside
- Canal cycling
- Bình Thủy ancient house
- Lẩu mắm hot pot
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Vietnam National Authority of Tourism: vietnam.travel/
- Wikivoyage — Can Tho: en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Can_Tho
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/can-tho). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.