Can Tho (or Cantho; Vietnamese: Cần Thơ) is the biggest city of the Mekong Delta.
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| Floating Market |
It is located on the south bank of the Hậu River, the bigger
branch of the Mekong River. It is in vicinity to Sóc Trăng, 1.5 hours
from Long Xuyen, 3 hours from Châu Đốc and Rạch Giá, about 6 hours from Cà Mau, and 169 km (3 hours) from Ho Chi Minh City.
The climate is tropical and monsoonal with two seasons: rainy,
from May to November; and dry, from December to April. Average annual
humidity is 83%, rainfall 1,635 mm and temperature 27 °C.
Tips:
How to get there: From Ho Chi Minh City bus operators servicing Can Tho are leaving every one to two hours from Western Bus Station (Bến Xe Miền Tây). Add: 395 Kinh Duong Vuong, An Lac Ward, Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: (+84) 38776594 – (84) 37521517 - Fax: (08) 38 752 853.
Email: webmaster@bxmt.com.vn. Website:
http://www.bxmt.com.vn/
In Ho Chi Minh City, you can take public bus No.2 from Ben Thanh market to Western Bus Station (Bến Xe Miền Tây) for around 50 minutes. Note that the last bus is 6:30 PM. The route schedule:
http://www.buyttphcm.com.vn/Detail_TTLT.aspx?sl=02
By bus:
1. Thanh Buoi (Thành Bưởi) is providing the fastest service to Can Tho as the bus only stops for a 10 minutes on the way from Ho Chi Minh city. The ride takes about 3 hours. The company provides a small bun as a free snack and free water for customers. At the arrival in Can Tho shuttle buses bring you to your final destination inside the city. Have the address of your hotel ready. The shuttle buses are paid for as part of your ticket. Cost from HCMC (Aug. 2013): 120,000VND.
Tel (for booking): 0838 333 999. Website: http://thanhbuoi.com.vn
They also have a departure point in the
center of the city at Le Hong Phong street (No.202-204 Le Hong Phong street, Ward 4, District 5) from where shuttle buses
will bring you to Western Bus Station. You can also buy tickets here.
2. Phuong Trang (Phương Trang) has the largest number of services to Can Tho daily. There is a stop for 30 minutes in the large Phuong Trang highway service and restaurant point. The ride takes 4 hours. The operator provides free water in the bus. In Can Tho a shuttle bus will bring you to your final destination. Cost from HCMC (Aug. 2013): 120,000VND. Tel: (+84)08 38 309 309.
3.Mai Linh. Add: 64 – 68 Hai Ba Trung, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh city. Booking Office:
No. 400A Le Hong Phong, Dist.10; No. 293 Tran Phu, P.8, Dist.5.
Email: ml@mailinh-corp.com. www.mailinh.vn
Tel (for booking): (+84-08).39292929
By motorbike, car and taxi
By car, allow about 1.5 hours from Soc Trang, about 3 hours from Chau Doc, about 3.5 hours from Rach Gia, less than 4 hours from Ho Chi Minh City (169 km), about 6 hours from Ca Mau and about 1.5 hours from Long Xuyen.
By motorbike, rent a motorbike in the tourist area in Ho Chi Minh City district 1. Beware that you are only covered by your insurance in case of an accident, if your driving license is valid in Vietnam. Most European licenses are not automatically accepted. You might need to take an additional test with Vietnamese authorities in order to comply with the local rules.
It is also possible to rent a taxi for about almost the same price as a car for 1 way from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho. Try hiring a Vinasun Taxi or Mailinh taxi.
By air
Vietnam Airlines provides 2 ways local filghts from Con Đao, Phu Quoc và Ha Noi to Tra Noc (Trà Nóc) Airport in Can Tho. Website: www.vietnamairlines.com.
Getting around: it's easy to travel atound Can Tho by motorbike or bicycle.
Things to do:
1.Visit a local Pagoda and Church, or local markets such as Cai Khe, Xuan Khanh, Ninh Kieu Pier Tourist Market.
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| Xuan Khanh market |
2.Eat some local fruits.Depending on the season there are different kinds of fruits.
3.Visit local floating markets. You may take a tour from the Ninh Kiều pier, where the "boat ladies" are inviting you aboard or get a private boat from a local tour operator.
Cai Rang (Cái Răng) floating market is the main wholesale floating market near Can Tho. Go there early in the morning (as early as 5:30am) while Phong Dien (Phong Điền) is a retail market.
Local tour operator: Floating Market Tours. Website: www.mekongtours.info. Add: 93 Mau Than Street, Xuan Khanh Quarter, Ninh Kieu District, 9000 Can Tho, Vietnam. Mobile: +84 907 85 29 27. Email: contact@mekongtours.info
Read more: 1.
How to go to Pnompenh (Cambodia) from Can Tho (Vietnam)
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