Tourist Attractions

RECOMMENDED TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

IN CAN THO CITY

Can Tho, also known as the West Capital, is the largest city of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Over time, Can Tho has constantly developed in many aspects of economy, education, society, and tourism, etc. Therefore, more and more foreigners come to Can Tho to work, travel and experience the characteristics of this land.

Following this common development trend, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy has more and more international collaborations and educational exchange programs with many universities/ instutitions around the world. If you are foreigners and this is your first time in Can Tho, we hope you will have an amazing experience here. In an unfamiliar place, after long, hard-working hours of working, studying and practicing, you may want to visit some interesting places and observe the daily lives of the people here. To meet that need, we recommend six tourist destinations that you should spend your time visiting.

1. Ninh Kieu Wharf- the symbol of Can Tho City

Ninh Kieu Wharf (or Ninh Kieu Park), which dates back to the 19th century, is located on the right bank of Hau River. It is adjacent to Hai Ba Trung Street, Tan An Ward, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City. Ninh Kieu wharf is a long-standing tourist attraction because of its charming river scenery and its convenient location overlooking the Hau River. Its beauty changes through time from day to night.

In the morning, tourists can walk around the park, fill up their lungs with cool fresh air and enjoy the stunning dawn view above the river. Standing on the pier, you can see the Can Tho bridge, which is the largest cable bridge of the country. Moreover, travelers can hire boats to go to Cai Rang floating market or visit Ong Temple on the opposite side of the wharf.  

At night, the park’s lighting systems have made this place to stand out. In the park, there is a bronze statue of Ho Chi Minh in the height of 7.2m and is placed on a platform 3,6m high. Today, Can Tho has launched the Ninh Kieu Night Market and formed a type of Walking Street. All of them contribute to creating a new look and vibe for the downtown’s night lives.

 

2. Cai Rang floating market- mobile homes on Hau river

 

Floating market is a unique and long-standing feature of the southwestern people. The name "Cai Rang" means "The Teeth", related to an old folk tale which is said to have a ferocious crocodile that dropped its tooth in this place. A specific feature of this market is selling only local agricultural products. In the old days, floating markets were formed because the interlinked rivers and canals system was the main transportation mode to transport goods from other provinces. Nowadays, when the road traffic system has developed, the floating market is still preserved and maintained by the local people here as a beautiful and unique tradition.

Cai Rang floating market is located on Hau river, near Cai Rang bridge, about 6km from Can Tho city center, and it takes 30 minutes to get there from Ninh Kieu Wharf. The market’s activities usually start at 5:00 am and ends at around 9:00-10:00 am in the morning. The best time to visit the market are at its rush hour from 6:00 am to 8:00 am. A boat is the only mean of transport to visit the market. Because the weather is hot and damp here, wearing shorts, a cotton T-shirt and sandals would be perfect.

At the floating market, visitors can immerse themselves in the bustling atmosphere of the market, observe lives of many local families with different generations living together on boats which are known as “mobile apartments” on the river. Many local products are sold here and in particular a large variety of fruits, some of which are exotic. There are small boats serving many kinds of snacks, local noodle soup, and drink from which you can try as your early breakfast [?]. 

3. Ong Temple - a temple does not worship The Buddha

 

A short walk through town, opposite Ninh Kieu Park, there is the beautifully designed Ong Temple. The exterior is painted with intricate decorations and its roof laden with tiny sculptures. Inside the temple is decorated with exquisite artwork and statues of religious deities. Huge incense coils hang from the ceilings, blowing gently and capturing the light in their wafting smoke. The temple was built in the late 19th century by the Chinese, and it has been perfectly preserved. This is the only temple in this area that workship Kwan Kung, the powerful and mystical Chinese god of war, instead of the Buddha.

 

4. Binh Thuy Ancient House

 

Binh Thuy Ancient House, located at 144 Bui Huu Nghia street, Binh Thuy ward, is a grand affair with colourful, ornate architecture on the outside and a period furniture and antiques crowding the rooms. The building combines elements of Vietnamese and French to create a lavish and elegant building. The house was built in 1870 by the Duong family, and it has been passed down through 6 generations of the family, some of whom still live in the rear part of the property. Often there will be a member of the Duong family on hand to give guided tours and show visitors points of interest around the house.

5. Son Islet-a great escape from the hustle and bustle of the city

 

Con Son is an islet in the middle of Hau River which is separated not far away from the mainland. Tourists have to travel by ferry boats to get to the islet. Prior to the orchard heavily laden with fruit, tourists have chances to visit the fishing houseboats and get to know the local’s lives. Moreover, there will be an interesting presentation about many fish species that are raised there. Some of them will be impressive by their strange appearances and enormous sizes.

On Son Islet, tourists can immerse themselves in real spaces of the countryside and have chances to visit orchards of many different types of fruit such as pomelo, rambutan, and star apple, etc. They can pick fruit and taste them at the garden so that the fruit’s flavor is preserved and fresh. Besides, seeing “the flying fish” is also a must-try activity. Moreover, tourists can have chances to make and enjoy local traditional dishes and cakes. Visitors can participate in all stages from preparing raw materials, kneading dough, making delicious Southern cakes by your own hand such as steamed banana cake, bloating fern-shaped cake, Vietnamese sizzling cake, banana cake, silkworm-like cake, snow-flaked cake, etc. It is nothing worth than tasting the hand-made cakes right after making them.

6. Gian Gua Relic- an exotic matrix of the Gua trees

In the little hamlet of Gian Gua, Phong Dien district of Can Tho city grows a tree of great significance. The Gua tree, named by local people, can reaches about 6 meters high. Its roots and branches forming a matrix making it difficult to identify which ones are roots and which ones are branches. It’s estimated to be one hundred and fifty years old and covers three thousand square meters of the Ba temple compound. The tree was recognized as the National Heritage Tree in 2013.

 

For further information, please contact:

Scientific Research & International Cooperation Office

Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy

179 Nguyen Van Cu Street, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City, Vietnam

Telephone: (84) 292 3739809;        Email: ico@ctump.edu.vn