Can Tho Overview
Can Tho is the fifth largest city in Vietnam, and the largest city in the Mekong delta. It is noted for its floating market, rice-paper-making village, and picturesque rural canals. The name Can Tho is a shortened form of “Cam Thi Giang”, meaning "river of poems". Can Tho City is located in the center of the Mekong Delta. It is contiguous to five provinces: An Giang on the north, Dong Thap on the north-east, Hau Giang on the south, Kien Giang on the west, and Vinh Long on the east.
Topography
Can Tho city’s topography is relatively flat, and rising from the north to the south. The north region included the districts of Thot Not, O Mon, and Chau Thanh is sunken. Therefore, it is often flooded in rainy season in September. This city has a complex of rivers and canals such as Hau, and Can Tho rivers, Thot Not, O Mon canals. Among them, the Hau River is considered a benefactor of this region, since yearly floods deposit large quantities of alluvia to the rice fields.
Climate
The climate of this province is tropical and monsoonal with two seasons: rainy, from May to November; and dry, from December to April. Average annual temperature is 27 °C.
Tourism
Can Tho is over its 200 years as the main town, once known as Western Capital (Tay Do) and now one city of Vietnam. All of economic, culture activities closely relate to river and canals which like the 'street'. Can Tho has simple, poetic beauty with well-off villages under shade of coconut trees. It is wonderful to take a boat trip along the riverbanks on fine weather days. On the east bank of Hau River is Ninh Kieu Wharf, which is well known for its beautiful location and special architecture. It is located close to the centre of the city on the bank of Hau River, a tributary of the Mekong River. It’s the city main trading center. Other interesting places are Bang Lang Stork Sanctuary, Can Tho and My Khanh Tourist Gardens and Binh Thuy Communal House. Binh Thuy Communal House is also the place where hold the festival dedicated to the spirit of the land and Dinh Cong Trang. The mian purpose of this festival is to pray for a peaceful existence. Visiting Can Tho, tourists will be impressed by floating markets. Visiting floating markets is one of the most attractive tours in Can Tho. Floating markets are situated on the banks of wide stretches of river. Cai Rang and Phong Dien Floating Markets are two of the major markets in Can Tho as well as in the Mekong Delta.
Transportation
Can Tho is 34km from Vinh Long, 62km from Long Xuyen, 63km from Soc Trang, 104km from My Tho, 116km from Rach Gia, 117km from Chau Doc, 169km from Ho Chi Minh City and 179km from Ca Mau. Besides, Can Tho has Cai Cui international seaport and the city is the centre of waterway network of Mekong Delta. There are daily hydrofoils between Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho City.