1. Cai Rang Floating Market

The floating market in Mekong Delta is a unique cultural characteristic. Cai Rang floating market is a not-to-be-missed destination when coming to Can Tho. Cai Rang floating market attracts huge attention from visitors, especially foreign tourists. Cai Rang Floating Market, a national intangible cultural heritage site, is on the 185-kilometer Hau River, a tributary of the Mekong River, flowing through Cai Rang District. The market is about 6 km south of the city center. The market is busiest around 5-8 am. Coming to Cai Rang floating market, visitors will experience the feeling of sitting on a boat to visit and explore the floating market with hundreds of boats busy buying and selling different types of agricultural products. Moreover, do not forget to take beautiful photos of the dreamy dawn and enjoy a bowl of rice noodles with crab right on the boat. In 2016, Cai Rang floating market was officially recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage.

2. Ninh Kieu wharf/Ninh Kieu quay

 “Can Tho has Ninh Kieu wharf,

a beautiful river and many beautiful ladies”

For a long time, Ninh Kieu Wharf has appeared in many poems as a symbol of Tay Do (the Western Capital) thanks to its charming river and outstanding landscape on the banks of the Hau River. Ninh Kieu Wharf is located on the right bank of Hau River, between the confluence of Hau River and Can Tho River, adjacent to Hai Ba Trung Street, (Tan An Ward, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho city). With an area of about 7,000m2, this place is a romantic park on the riverside with many trees, Uncle Ho Monument, and interesting attractions such as Ninh Kieu Walking Bridge, Can Tho Old Market, Ong Pagoda, Ninh Kieu night market, water wharf, etc. Traveling to Can Tho, you will feel relaxed and refresh when walking around Ninh Kieu Wharf at dawn, dusk, or evening, watching Can Tho bridge, and catching the cool breeze from the Hau river.

3. Binh Thuy Communal House

Located at 144 Bui Huu Nghia Street, Binh Thuy Communal House can be considered as one of the most beautiful houses in Long Tuyen Old Village (Binh Thuy District, Can Tho city). This is the ancient house of the Duong family, built in1870 in a French style of ancient villa architecture. Moreover, its design was a harmonious combination between the Eastern and Western cultures. In addition, this house is located on prime land in line with the ancient Feng Shui concept: the great land between two rivers, facing Binh Thuy River to the east, Hau River to the North, Le Hong Phong Street to the South, and a residential square to the West. The house covers a total area of about 6,000m2, with the surrounding space of many lively ornamental plants.  With an age of more than 150 years, this ancient architecture still retains almost intact interior and exterior structure. The house has a high value in terms of artistic architecture, attracting many tourists. Binh Thuy communal house became more famous because it was chosen by many directors as the main setting for famous movies. It was ranked as a national architectural monument in 2009.

4. Community-based tourism

Community-based tourism is a type of tourism in which local residents (often rural, poor, and economically marginalized) invite tourists to visit their communities with the provision of overnight accommodation. Community-based tourism is developing based on traditional cultural values, natural landscapes, agro-ecology, in parallel with the goal of environmental protection. Currently, this is considered a type of tourism that brings many sustainable economic development benefits to indigenous people. This is also an opportunity for tourists to learn, exchange cultures, experience the daily life of the local community. Moreover, Community-based tourism aims to raise people’s awareness of environmental protection. Along with that trend, Can Tho has such tourism model in Son islet and Tan Loc islet.

Son islet

Emptying the ditch to catch fish

About 6km from the city center, Son islet is an alluvial strip of land, in the middle of the Hau river, in Bui Huu Nghia ward, Binh Thuy district, Can Tho city. Son islet has an area of about 70 hectares with nearly 100 households. Coming to Son islet, you will experience many interesting activities such as touring around fruit gardens, emptying the ditch to catch fish, boat rowing, picking and eating fruits, as well as making Southern folk cakes such as bánh khọt (crispy and savory mini pancakes), bánh kẹp (Vietnamese waffle), bánh bò (cow cake - steamed rice cake), bánh chuối (steamed banana cake), etc. Moreover, you can learn about fish farming, and watch the interesting flying-snakehead show on this islet. Son islet is famous for its peaceful atmosphere, rustic beauty, along with the warm and friendly lifestyle of the locals all of which are the foundation for community tourism to develop here.

Tan Loc islet

Rowing wooden boat along the canal

Tan Loc islet is located in Tan Loc ward, Thot Not district, more than 40km from Can Tho city center. This place is considered the “Green Pearl in the middle of Hau River” as it still retains the rustic and pristine features of a Southern village by the river with the immense green of fruit-laden orchards. Currently, there are many attractive tourist destinations on Tan Loc islet such as Tan Loc coconut garden, Ms. Diep’s guava garden, Mr. Ut Trac’s rambutan garden, Mr. Sau Tia’s Burmese grape garden, Tan Loc eco-tourism garden, Tran Ba The’s ancient house, etc. This place is an ideal stopover for tourists when they want to immerse themselves in nature, have new experiences, and discover the traditional lifestyle of the Southern people on the islet.