10 Days in Can Tho for Water and River Beach Lovers

Let us get one thing straight: Can Tho has no ocean. If you arrive expecting white-sand marine beaches and rolling surf like you would find in Phu Quoc or Mui Ne (무이네 / 美奈 / ムイネー), you will be disappointed.

However, if you love the water, Can Tho offers a different kind of aquatic escape. By swapping the sea for the mighty Hau River, you can experience artificial river beaches, island-hopping through fruit orchards, and endless canal exploration. Here is how to spend 10 days slow-traveling the water capital of the Mekong Delta (메콩 델타 / 湄公河三角洲 / メコンデルタ).

Day 1 — The River Beach at Bai Cat Can Tho

Start your trip by adjusting to the river pace. Head to Bai Cat Can Tho, an artificial river beach located at the confluence of the Hau and Can Tho rivers. While you cannot swim in the muddy river water, the beach offers lounge chairs, coconut trees, and a cool breeze that mimics the coast.

• Neighborhood: Cai Khe Ward.
• What to eat: Grab a bowl of "hu tieu" (pork noodle soup) at a local stall near the Ninh Kieu pier.
• Viewpoint: The pedestrian bridge (Cau Tinh Yeu) offers the best view of the river at dusk.
• Off-script suggestion: Skip the high-end beach bars and sit on a plastic stool at the far end of the embankment, where locals drink sugarcane juice for 10,000 VND.

Day 2 — Cai Rang Floating Market and Cacao Farms

Wake up at 5:00 AM to catch the river at its liveliest. Hire a private wooden boat from Ninh Kieu Wharf (about 350,000 VND) to take you to the Cai Rang Floating Market.

• Neighborhood: Cai Rang District.
• What to eat: Eat "bun rieu" (crab noodle soup) served directly from a vendor boat.
• Viewpoint: The roof of a pineapple-selling barge in the middle of the market.
• Off-script suggestion: Ask your boatman to steer you down the small side canals to Muoi Cuong Cacao Farm, where you can drink fresh cacao juice made from the white pulp surrounding the beans.

Day 3 — Island Hopping on Con Son

Con Son is a low-lying island in the middle of the Hau River, accessible by a quick ferry ride. It is a sanctuary of fruit orchards and traditional fish farms.

• Neighborhood: Binh Thuy District.
• What to eat: Try "banh xeo" (savory sizzling crepes) stuffed with river shrimp and pork.
• Viewpoint: The floating fish rafts on the northern edge of the island.
• Off-script suggestion: Visit the floating rafts where farmers train "flying fish" to jump out of the water for food.

Day 4 — Luxury Pool Day on Con Au Island

To get your fix of resort-style relaxation, spend the day on Con Au, a quiet island dominated by lush foliage. If you are not staying at the luxury Azerai resort, you can book a day pass to use their pool and spa facilities.

• Neighborhood: Hung Phu Ward.
• What to eat: Order a plate of "com tam" (broken rice with grilled pork) at a roadside shack before crossing the river.
• Viewpoint: The infinity pool overlooking the river mangroves.
• Off-script suggestion: Rent a kayak from the resort and paddle through the narrow, overgrown channels that cut through the island.

Photo by Emily Le on Pexels

Day 5 — Wetland Exploration at Lung Ngoc Hoang

Take a day trip 40 km south of Can Tho to the Lung Ngoc Hoang Nature Reserve. This is the "green lung" of the region, featuring flooded forests and swampy canals.

• Neighborhood: Phung Hiep District (outside Can Tho city).
• What to eat: "Ca loc nuong trui" (snakehead fish grilled in straw) at a rustic forest restaurant.
• Viewpoint: The 21-meter-high observation tower overlooking the forest canopy.
• Off-script suggestion: Take the quiet electric boat ride deep into the bird sanctuary rather than walking the main paved paths.

Day 6 — Khmer Pagodas and River Views in O Mon

Explore the cultural diversity of the delta by traveling north to O Mon, an area with a significant ethnic Khmer population.

• Neighborhood: O Mon District.
• What to eat: "Bun nuoc leo" (a Khmer-style noodle soup with a rich fish broth).
• Viewpoint: The steps of Chua Pothisomron, a gorgeous Khmer temple built in 1735.
• Off-script suggestion: Sit by the quiet canal behind the pagoda and watch the local monks wash their wooden boats.

Day 7 — Binh Thuy Heritage and Riverside Cafes

Spend the day exploring the historic French-colonial architecture of Binh Thuy, located along the Binh Thuy River.

• Neighborhood: Binh Thuy District.
• What to eat: "Nem nuong" (grilled pork skewers wrapped in rice paper with herbs).
• Viewpoint: The ornate front balcony of the Binh Thuy Ancient House.
• Off-script suggestion: Walk two blocks east of the ancient house to find a row of quiet, nameless coffee shacks built on stilts directly over the water.

Photo by Emily Le on Pexels

Day 8 — Coastal Day Trip to Rach Gia

If you absolutely must smell the salt water, take a morning bus (about 2.5 hours) to Rach Gia, a coastal city in Kien Giang province facing the Gulf of Thailand.

• Neighborhood: Rach Gia City.
• What to eat: "Bun ca" (fish noodle soup with fresh sea fish and shrimp).
• Viewpoint: The concrete seawall at Ton Duc Thang street, where you can watch the sunset over the ocean.
• Off-script suggestion: Walk through the local seafood market near the port where ferries depart for Phu Quoc.

Day 9 — Cycling the Canals of Phong Dien

Get away from the concrete center of Can Tho and head to Phong Dien, where the canals are narrow and shaded by water palms.

• Neighborhood: Phong Dien District.
• What to eat: "Banh hoi" (fine rice vermicelli woven into intricate bundles, topped with scallion oil).
• Viewpoint: Any of the rustic wooden footbridges (cau khi) that cross the small canals.
• Off-script suggestion: Rent a basic single-speed bicycle and get lost on the dirt paths; almost all of them loop back to the main road eventually.

Day 10 — Sunset Cruise and Fermented Hotpot

End your 10-day water journey with a relaxing evening on the Hau River.

• Neighborhood: Ninh Kieu District.
• What to eat: "Lau mam" (a pungent, deeply flavorful hotpot made with fermented fish broth, river fish, and dozens of wild river vegetables).
• Viewpoint: The top deck of a public sunset cruise boat departing from Ninh Kieu Wharf.
• Off-script suggestion: Skip the tourist dinner cruises and hire a local small-boat operator to take you out just as the sun dips below the horizon.

Practical notes

Can Tho is easily reached from Saigon by a 3-hour limousine bus ride. The best time to visit for water activities is during the dry season from December to April, though the floating markets are active year-round. Always negotiate boat rental prices at Ninh Kieu Wharf beforehand to avoid paying inflated tourist rates.