Can Tho
Cai Rang floating market, orchard islets on the Hau River and a quieter riverfront than Ho Chi Minh City.
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Can Tho is the largest city in the Mekong Delta, on the Hau River, a branch of the Mekong in southern Vietnam. It lies about 170 kilometers southwest of Ho Chi Minh City, roughly three to four hours by road. Travelers come for the Cai Rang floating market, where traders sell fruit and vegetables from their boats, and for the orchard islets nearby, reached by small boat along quiet canals.
The city suits a two-day trip from Ho Chi Minh City, or a night or two as a base for river days. Mornings belong on the water, with afternoons and evenings along the riverfront. The drier period from December to April is the best time to visit, while the flood season from roughly August to November brings higher water. Plan two full days to cover the market, a boat trip and the old houses.
Can Tho in five
- Book a dawn boat to Cai Rang floating marketTrading runs roughly 4:30 to 8:00am, so be on the water by about 6am to catch the busiest hour. Agree the route, price and pickup pier the evening before, and ask about a smaller market too.Cai Rang floating market guide
- Plan two days, not a day tripThe market starts before sunrise and the islets and old houses fill a second day. A night in the city beats a 4 hour bus ride each way in one day from Ho Chi Minh City.Can Tho in 2 days
- Choose your way in: bus, car or flightCan Tho is about 165 km from Ho Chi Minh City on the My Thuan to Can Tho expressway, around 4 hours by bus. Flights from Hanoi or Da Nang land at an airport about 20 minutes from the center.Can Tho or Ben Tre
- Add Binh Thuy house and an isletBinh Thuy ancient house was built in 1870 and became a national monument in 2009. Con Son islet is a 5 to 10 minute boat ride from the Co Bac ferry station, so the two fit into one afternoon.
- Expect to pay cash on the waterNoodle boats, fruit sellers and small ferries are cash businesses. Carry small notes, and agree the price of a private boat before you step in.
Things to do in Can Tho
See all attractions in Can Tho
Need to know
- Airport
- Can Tho (VCA), about 20 min from the center
- Getting there
- About 165 km from Ho Chi Minh City; roughly 4 hours by bus
- Getting around
- Walking in Ninh Kieu, taxi or Grab, boats for islets
- Best base
- Ninh Kieu riverfront, or a homestay on an islet
- Time needed
- 2 days, 1 night
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh31°Low22°Dry, flowersJanuaryPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 40 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, flowers
- FebruaryPartly cloudy3 rainy daysHigh32°Low23°Dry, TetFebruaryPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 19 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, Tet
- MarchPartly cloudy5 rainy daysHigh34°Low24°Dry, hotMarchPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 30 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, hot
- AprilRain13 rainy daysHigh34°Low26°HottestAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 94 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hottest
- MayRain26 rainy daysHigh33°Low26°Rains beginMayRain
Poor
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 265 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains begin
- JuneRain28 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Fruit seasonJuneRain
Poor
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 284 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fruit season
- JulyRain27 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Fruit seasonJulyRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 327 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fruit season
- AugustRain29 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Fruit, rainAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 300 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fruit, rain
- SeptemberRain29 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°High waterSeptemberRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 367 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
High water
- OctoberRain29 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Flood seasonOctoberRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 383 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Flood season
- NovemberRain22 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Floods easeNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 219 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Floods ease
- DecemberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°Dry, coolerDecemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 103 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, cooler
Average daily high and low in Can Tho, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Can Tho
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
25
- Feels like
- 29°
- Humidity
- 93%
- Wind
- 7 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Can Tho
07:53 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today30°24°100%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed31°25°100%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Thu31°24°90%Thursday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 90%.
- Fri31°25°84%Friday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 84%.
- Sat30°24°87%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 87%.
- Sun31°24°75%Sunday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 75%.
Updated 03:35 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 25,787 VND
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Con Son islet5 to 10 min by ferryA small island of fruit gardens, fish rafts and home cooking in the Hau River.
- Chau Docabout 3 hours by roadUpriver on the Hau, a night stop before Cambodia.Read the guide
- Ben Trea separate stop on the Delta loopA quieter, bicycle-first alternative to the city.Read the guide
Before you go to Can Tho
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Can Tho, checked
- Cai Rang floating market trades roughly 4:30 to 8:00am, so the usual advice is to reach the water by about 6am for the busiest hour.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Can Tho FAQ
Is Can Tho worth visiting?
Yes, if you want the Delta without a long transfer deep into it. It has the biggest floating market, easy islet trips and a riverside evening scene. Skip it only if you have under two days and no appetite for a 5am start.
How do you get from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho?
By bus on the expressway, about 4 hours, by private car, or by taking a Delta tour that includes the transfer. Buses to the Delta leave from the Mien Tay station. Flying from Hanoi or Da Nang is simpler than going through Saigon.
What time does the Cai Rang floating market start?
Trading usually runs from about 4:30 to 8:00am, with the most activity early. Boats leave town around 5 to 6am for a ride of roughly 30 minutes. Be back on land by mid-morning, when the traders thin out.
How many days do you need in Can Tho?
Two days and one night is the sweet spot: one dawn at the market, one afternoon on the islets and old house. A third day adds Chau Doc or Ben Tre if you want to see more of the Mekong Delta.
When is the best time to visit Can Tho?
The dry months, December to April, suit the dawn boat best. Fruit gardens peak from June to August, and September to November is flood season with high water. It is hot and humid all year, so start early.