What it is

Cau Di Bo Can Tho is a pedestrian bridge spanning a section of the Can Tho River in Ninh Kieu district — the touristic heart of Can Tho. It connects Ninh Kieu Wharf on one side to Cai Khe islet on the other, curving gently over the water for about 200 meters. The bridge opened in 2016 and quickly became a gathering spot for locals in the evenings — families, couples, vendors selling sugar cane juice, and the occasional selfie-stick crowd.

It's not an engineering marvel or a must-see in any grand sense. But it does something useful: it gives you an elevated, car-free vantage point over the Hau River waterfront, connects two walkable areas, and serves as a natural anchor for an evening stroll through Can Tho (껀터 / 芹苴 / カントー)'s riverfront zone.

Why travelers go

Most visitors to Can Tho are here for the floating markets — Cai Rang being the big one. But after your 5 a.m. boat trip, there's a question: what do you actually do in Can Tho for the rest of the day? Cau Di Bo answers part of that. It's free, it's central, and it's genuinely pleasant around sunset when the river catches the light and the bridge fills with locals out for their evening walk.

The bridge also puts you within easy walking distance of Ninh Kieu Wharf (where most boat tours depart), the Can Tho night market, and a stretch of riverside restaurants. It's less a destination and more a connector — but a good one.

Best time to visit

Sunset, full stop. Between 5:00 and 6:30 p.m., the bridge fills with people and the light on the river goes amber. The LED lights on the bridge structure switch on after dark, which is either charming or garish depending on your taste — but locals love it.

Season-wise, the dry season (November to April) is more comfortable. Can Tho's wet season brings heavy afternoon rains that can turn the riverfront muggy and empty by evening. If you're visiting during rainy months, aim for a clear evening or go early morning instead.

How to get there

Cau Di Bo sits right at Ninh Kieu Wharf, about 2 km from Can Tho's central bus station. If you're staying in the Ninh Kieu district — which most travelers do — it's likely walkable from your hotel.

  • From Can Tho airport: 10 km, about 20 minutes by taxi. A Grab car runs 80,000–120,000 VND depending on traffic.
  • From the bus station: 2 km, 5 minutes by xe om or Grab bike (15,000–25,000 VND).
  • From Saigon: Can Tho is roughly 170 km southwest. Buses from Mien Tay station take 3–3.5 hours and cost around 120,000–160,000 VND. Alternatively, there are direct flights from Hanoi and Da Nang.

Once you're at Ninh Kieu Wharf, the bridge entrance is obvious — look for the curved steel structure with the blue-and-white railing.

Colorful outdoor view of Ba Den Mountain with lotus pond and statues under a bright sky.

Photo by Haneul Trac on Pexels

What to do

Walk the bridge at dusk

The whole crossing takes five minutes if you're moving with purpose, but most people linger. There are benches midway, and vendors set up along the approaches selling fruit, drinks, and "che" (sweet soup desserts). Bring a cold drink and sit.

Cross to Cai Khe islet

The far side of the bridge lands you on a small island with a park, a few cafes, and quieter streets. It's not packed with attractions, but it's a nice contrast to the busier wharf side. There's a small pagoda and some local coffee shops where you can get a proper "ca phe sua da" for 20,000 VND without the tourist markup.

Combine with Ninh Kieu night market

The night market runs along the waterfront near the bridge entrance. It's mostly clothes and souvenirs, but there's a food section with grilled skewers, "banh xeo" (the southern style — big, crispy, stuffed with shrimp and bean sprouts), and fresh coconut. Prices are fair: 30,000–50,000 VND for most dishes.

Boat rides from the wharf

Small tourist boats depart from Ninh Kieu Wharf for short evening cruises on the river. Expect to pay around 50,000–80,000 VND per person for a 30-minute loop. Not essential, but a decent way to see the bridge lit up from the water.

Where to eat nearby

The riverfront stretch within 500 meters of the bridge has plenty of options:

  • Nem Nuong Thanh Van (a few blocks inland on Hai Ba Trung) — solid nem nuong rolls, around 60,000 VND per set.
  • Quan Com Tam (껌땀 / 碎米饭 / コムタム) Thuan Kieu — proper "com tam" with grilled pork, egg cake, and fish sauce. A full plate runs 40,000–55,000 VND.
  • Night market stalls — go for the "hu tieu (후띠우 / 粿条 / フーティウ)" (Mekong-style noodle soup, clear broth, pork and shrimp). 35,000 VND.
  • Riverside cafes — there are a handful right at the wharf. Vietnamese coffee (베트남 커피 / 越南咖啡 / ベトナムコーヒー) is 25,000–35,000 VND. Views are free.

If you want something more substantial, the streets behind the wharf (Hai Ba Trung, Phan Dinh Phung) have local rice-and-dish restaurants where a full meal costs under 60,000 VND.

Where to stay

Ninh Kieu district is the obvious base. Budget guesthouses start around 200,000–300,000 VND/night. Mid-range hotels with river views go for 500,000–900,000 VND. The area is walkable and close to both the bridge and the boat docks for Cai Rang floating market.

A few reliable picks:

  • Xoai Hotel — clean, modern, 400,000 VND range. Five-minute walk to the bridge.
  • Kim Tho Hotel — older but well-located, directly on the riverfront.
  • Homestays on Cai Khe islet — quieter, cheaper, and you cross the pedestrian bridge to get to the action.

A dynamic aerial shot of boats congregating at Cái Răng Floating Market in Cần Thơ, Vietnam.

Photo by Duy Nguyen on Pexels

Practical tips

  • No entrance fee. The bridge is public and open 24 hours.
  • Wear comfortable shoes. The surface is smooth tile, but it can get slippery after rain.
  • Mosquitoes. The riverfront gets bitey after dark. Repellent helps.
  • Photography. Best light is the 20 minutes before sunset. After dark, the LED colors can throw off white balance — shoot on manual if you care.
  • Combine with Cai Rang. Book a floating market boat for 5:00 a.m., sleep in the afternoon, then do the bridge and night market in the evening. That's a full Can Tho day sorted.

Common mistakes

  • Skipping Can Tho entirely. A lot of travelers treat the Mekong Delta (메콩 델타 / 湄公河三角洲 / メコンデルタ) as a day trip from Saigon. Can Tho deserves at least one night — the evening atmosphere along the river is the best part, and you can't experience it on a rushed return bus.
  • Going midday. The bridge in full sun at noon is just hot concrete. Save it for evening.
  • Expecting a major landmark. This isn't the Golden Bridge or Long Bien Bridge. It's a pleasant pedestrian crossing with good views and local energy. Calibrate expectations and you'll enjoy it.

Final note

Cau Di Bo is a small piece of what makes Can Tho worth slowing down for. It won't be the highlight of your trip, but it connects you — literally and otherwise — to the riverfront life that defines this city. Pair it with a bowl of hu tieu, a sunset, and nowhere to be, and you've got a good evening in the Mekong Delta.

— FIN —

Last updated · May 22, 2026 · independently researched, never sponsored.