Gradual improvement of tourism infrastructure and products

With a long-term vision to establish tourism as a leading economic sector, Cần Thơ has steadily enhanced its infrastructure, resulting in notable progress and development.

Several major projects have been completed to boost tourism, with the most significant being Cần Thơ International Airport. The airport currently operates seven domestic routes connecting Cần Thơ to Hà Nội, Phú Quốc, Đà Nẵng, Côn Đảo, Hải Phòng, Vinh, and Đà Lạt, with an average of 11-12 flights per day (22-24 takeoffs and landings). From 2022 to 2024, the airport handled approximately 24,726 flights and served over 3.7 million passengers.

Cần Thơ also boasts three tourist ports, 76 wharves, 163 tourist boats, three cruise ships, nine overnight boats, and 11 high-speed vessels. Additionally, 21 electric vehicles (with capacities of 9-15 passengers) have been approved to operate on 60 routes without time restrictions, offering diverse options for tourists exploring the city's inner areas. The city has also expanded commercial and service offerings, including banquet and conference centers, supermarkets, and shopping malls, enriching visitor experiences in entertainment, dining, and shopping.

Currently, Cần Thơ has nearly 640 accommodation establishments with approximately 11,000 rooms. Among these, 133 hotels (rated from 1 to 5 stars) provide a total of 5,030 rooms. The city is also home to 76 travel agencies and 66 tourism sites, with significant investments in large-scale, high-quality accommodations to meet the needs of a growing visitor base.

At the same time, Cần Thơ has defined its signature tourism products and developed a diverse tourism system. Several key projects have been implemented, including Development of Cần Thơ’s Unique Tourism Products (2018-2020, vision to 2030); Agricultural Tourism Development in Cần Thơ (2021-2025, vision to 2030); Tân Lộc Ward Tourism Development in Thốt Nốt District (2021-2025); Preservation and Promotion of Cần Thơ’s Intangible Cultural Heritage (2021-2025, vision to 2030); Implementation of the Night Economy Plan and the "One Commune, One Product" (OCOP) Program.

The city has also organized major events and festivals to attract tourists, such as the Southern Folk Cake Festival and the Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta Tourism and Trade Week 2024. Additionally, authorities have conducted surveys and evaluations of river tourism and agricultural tourism products across the city.

Furthermore, Cần Thơ has signed tourism cooperation agreements with 19 provinces and cities nationwide, focusing on inter-regional tourism routes. Key partnerships include the Mekong Delta Economic Region Tourism Program, which involves the Departments of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Cần Thơ, Kiên Giang, An Giang, and Cà Mau, as well as agreements with Đà Nẵng, Phú Yên, Nghệ An, and Hải Phòng to enhance tourism collaboration.

In 2024, Cần Thơ welcomed over 6.3 million visitors, generating VND 6.226 trillion in tourism revenue. However, the city's tourism industry still faces challenges. While tourism products have been updated and improved, they lack distinctiveness and competitive edge. Despite their potential, agricultural and river tourism remains underdeveloped. Infrastructure limitations, particularly for river tourism, and difficulties in attracting investment for tourism projects also pose obstacles to growth.

Development Strategy for 2025

To solidify tourism as a key economic sector by 2025, the city has outlined several strategic objectives:

Diversifying Cần Thơ’s signature tourism products by leveraging the strengths of eco-tourism, river tourism, and MICE tourism, along with complementary offerings such as historical-cultural tourism, community tourism, and experiential tourism, as well as modern and high-end entertainment services.

Encouraging businesses to innovate and diversify tourism products while ensuring professional and modern industry standards. The city aims to create opportunities for locals to engage in tourism-related businesses and directly benefit from the industry.

Supporting community-based and eco-tourism development by integrating agriculture into tourism models and maximizing the potential of river tourism.

Attracting strategic investors to develop large-scale tourism complexes, high-end shopping centers, cultural and entertainment hubs in key locations.

Enhancing tourism marketing and promotion in target markets to increase visitor numbers.

Strengthening inter-provincial cooperation to create distinctive, high-value tourism routes and optimize local tourism resources.

Expanding air connectivity by opening new domestic and international flight routes.

Developing inter-regional travel programs with a clear focus on key destinations.

Improving human resource training for high-quality tourism services.

Leveraging digital technology in tourism management, marketing, and visitor engagement.

Promoting a hospitable and professional tourism culture, ensuring a welcoming and civilized environment for tourists.

Additionally, the city will propose policies to the People’s Council of Cần Thơ to support tourism development through 2030, ensuring long-term, sustainable growth for the sector.