10 Things You Should Know About Can Tho Vietnam
We recently visited Can Tho for the first time and we spent 4 days there. After speaking to the locals and visited most of the main attractions, we decided to share our travel experience for this story. If you plan to visit Can Tho Vietnam for the first time, please read this and share this. We really hope our story can help you in planning and giving you the expectation in visiting Can Tho Vietnam. Check out 10 Things You Should Know About Can Tho Vietnam
1. AirAsia is the first International airlines to fly to Can Tho Airport
Do you know AirAsia is the first International airlines to fly to Can Tho Airport. The airport offers domestic flights in the past and AirAsia offers flights to Can Tho from Kuala Lumpur. From 1st May, Thai AirAsia will offer flights from Bangkok to Can Tho.
The Can Tho Airport is already 10 years old, servicing domestic flights in the past but it looks and feel as if it is brand new. The airport is well maintained and there is only one café in the airport and no shops for souvenirs (please remember that).
2. Can Tho is a popular stop over for Mekong Delta Tours
Can Tho is quiet small city in the south of Vietnam and it is a popular stop over for Mekong Delta Tours. However, we do find many interesting activities to do in Can Tho. We recommend that 3 days 2 Nights in Can Tho Vietnam except you want to explore other nearby cities such as Ho Chi Minh.
3. Short Flight from Kuala Lumpur to Can Tho
To our surprise, the flight duration from Kuala Lumpur to Can Tho Vietnam is around two hours only. It is even nearer than flying to Bangkok!
4. Can Tho is popular for Eco Tourism
We visited Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi in the past so we can compare with Can Tho. Don’t expect Can Tho similar with big cities like Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi, the city very laidback and it reminds us of 1980s Malaysia.
Eco tourism is huge in Can Tho and many locals visit this city to participate the local activities. There are lots of cool activities you can participate such as local food making, homestays, visiting local markets and more.
5. Popular Local Food
The popular local food here revolves around the local produce such as rice powder, fruits and seafood. We didn’t manage to taste the usual Vietnamese favourites such as Pho beef noodles or Banh Mi but we enjoy the local noodles and desserts.
We tasted the local noodle pizza called ‘hou tiu’. Basically, it is a fried mee hoon with vegetables with their own style and seasoning. This is our first time tasting this and there are also other snacks such as banana crepe, rice powder rolls, pumpkin leaf rice cake and more.
The Vietnamese coffee is also available in this part of Vietnam. The local fruits are a must try such as jackfruit, mangoes, pineapples, longan and more. Can Tho is a fruit heaven.
6. Visiting Cai Rang Floating Market
Due to its strategic location near the Mekong Delta, the locals make full use of the river. Like Bangkok, the locals use the boat to travel to work and they also visit the Cai Rang Floating Market for food. This Cai Rang floating market is a local market and it is not that commercialised.
Visiting Cai Rang floating market is a must do in Can Tho. There are also other attractions like museum, temple, mansions and more in this city.
7. Must get SIM Card / WIFI
It is better to have data when you are around Can Tho. You can get the SIM Card in the town or you book the WIFI can collect it in KLIA / KLIA2 with Klook at https://www.klook.com/en-MY/activity/18739-3g-4g-wifi-vietnam/?aid=602. It is cheaper to get the SIM Card but you need to find them in town.
It is highly recommended for you to have Internet access in Can Tho for Google Map, Google Translate and Grab App
8. Transportation is easy
It is really convenient in Can Tho as there are taxis, Grab Car, Grab Bikes and Electric Cars (their version of tuk tuk). For taxis, we highly recommend Mai Linh taxis, we had great experience with them back them. If not, always book a Grab Car or Grab Bikes (for one pax).
9. Where to Stay in Can Tho?
If you check with Agoda.com, there are hundreds of hotels available from less than RM 100 and above.
We stayed at the most expensive resort in Can Tho, the Azerai Can Tho. The luxury resort is nestled in its own private island and you will be chartered to the island and back with their private boat.
Average per night the room is cost around RM 1,000 which is around US$ 250 per night. You can book it at https://www.agoda.com/azerai-can-tho-resort_2/hotel/all/can-tho-vn.html?cid=1538606
10. Local Tours is a must
You are able to visit some places like night market, malls, temples or pagodas but if you want to experience local eco tours such as Cai Rang floating market, local dessert making, catching fish in mud pool or more, we highly recommend you to use the local tours such as www.canthorivertour.com
Overall, we find charms and fun in visiting Can Tho. It is different than Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi as this city is not that touristy yet. Most of the visitors to Can Tho are locals and with AirAsia flying from Kuala Lumpur and from Bangkok in May, they will need to prepare themselves for International visitors.
We enjoyed the eco tourism activities such as making local desserts, catching fish in mud pond, cruising around the river, eating local food and visiting local market. This laidback city offers authentic Vietnamese culture and lifestyle in Southern Vietnam. We hope you enjoy our 10 Things You Should Know About Can Tho Vietnam story.
Take the opportunity of the promo offers by AirAsia to Can Tho Vietnam. Check out more information at AirAsia.com
