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Provinces
of Mekong Delta Region |
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Can Tho Province
+84-(0)-71 |
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Capital city: |
Can Tho |
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Area (sq km): |
2,986 |
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Population: |
1,852,100 |
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Average temp: |
15°C |
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Ethnic data: |
Viet/Kinh, Hoa, Khmer. |
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Districts/wards: |
Chau Thanh,
Chau Thanh A, Long My, O Mon, Phung Hiep, Thot Not, Vi Thanh, Vi Thuy. |
Description:
Can Tho Province is located in the centre of the Mekong Delta, bordered by Dong
Thap and Vien Long on the northeast; by Soc Trang on the southeast; by Bac Lieu
on the southwest; by Kien Giang and An Giang on the northwest.
Can Tho city, for over 200 years the provincial main town, was once known as Tay
Do, or Capital in the West.
Can Tho is 170
kilometres southwest of Ho Chi Minh City on the south bank of the Hau River, a
river considered as the
benefactor of the region as its yearly floods deposit large quantities of
alluvia on the rice fields.
The marshy Lung Ngoc Hoang
mangrove forest, positioned by nature to escape the clutches of the
occasionally threatening Hau River and the waters near Bac Lieu, also offers a
shelter for wildlife. There fish, crabs, tortoises, and yellow boas and snakes,
seek their seasonal shelter at a place where war-time troops often sought
strategic refuge.
The miles of inter-connected canals and rivers are simply 'the green
lungs of the Mekong.'
International experts are determining whether the area, and especially its
river water ecosystem, could sustain another National Nature Reserve.
Can Tho University has some 2,000 students in the fields of
agriculture, medicine, and education.
The city population of 150,000 is the hub of the main Con Son and Con Au
waterways which nurture the local rice and fruit trade. Those who have never
visited the area, it’s
likely they will have experienced its flavour in its Cau Duc sweet pineapples, sweet potatoes, taro, and the coconuts
from the U Minh Jungle, which have upheld its reputation as a fruit basket region far
and wide.
Economy:
Natural beauty sights:
Can Tho Tourist Gardens (3) a series of modern tourism gardens have appeared on
every land and water route in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho.
The gardens of My Khanh, San Duong, Ba Lang and Tan Binh extend along the arched
highway, as well as on the waterways of hong Dien and Phung Hiep rivers. Other
gardens in Long My, Vi Thanh, O Mon and Thot Not are also developing.
The My Khanh Gardens occupy 2.2 ha and feature more than 20 species of fruit
trees and flowers, as well as diverse species of birds, fish, tortoises, snakes,
crabs and shrimp. Under the shade of lush green trees, there are small rong
houses to provide visitors with a place to rest for the night.
Ba Lang is located 9 km from Can Tho (on Highway No. 1 towards Soc Trang), and
has an area of 4.2 ha. There is the animal sanctuary of Ao Sen Lake, two lakes
for swimming, an outdoor stage and mini-hotels. Gardens here combine
agricultural potential with tourism.
Tourist sights:
It is enjoyable to take a boat trip along the Hau River on fine days.
On the east bank Travellers will see Ninh Kieu Wharf and nearby is a
floating restaurant connected to the bank by a bridge. It features eel dishes, a
specialty of the region.
A trip down the watery network that surrounds the Cuu Long Delta’s Can Tho
and you’ll see why locals have a special feeling for it.
On land the
fragrance of frangipani trees wafts around the city’s communal house and its 72
columns of black hardwood which commemorate the making – or the saving – of the
area.
Historic sights:
Binh Thuy Communal House; a 130-year old house in the Western Southland.
Museums:
Can Tho Ho Chi Minh Museum; Army Museum of Ninth Military Section, Hoa Binh
Avenue, Can Tho.
Festivals:
Markets:
Cai Rang Floating Market - 6 kilometres from Can Tho in Mekong river; Phong Dien
Floating Market 20 kilometres southwest of Can Tho, the best floating market in
the Mekong Delta; Phung Hiep Market close by Can Tho (Soc Trang direction). Bustling floating markets
on the Hau River at Con Khuong, Con Son and further afield, Con Tan Loc in the more
prosperous Thot Not District.
Cai Rang is the largest floating market in the
Mekong and the traders are more motorised, but the markets at Phung Hiep and
Phong Dien are more relaxed and less crowded.
Transport:
Can Tho is
169 kilometres south of Ho Chi Minh City/SaiGon;
104 kilometres south of My Tho, 34 kilometres south of Vinh Long; 63 kilometres
northwest of Soc Trang; 116 kilometres west of Rach Gia;
117 kilometres southeast of Chau Doc; 62 kilometres southeast of Long Xuyen;
179 kilometres northeast of Ca Mau. It has air, road and water transportation
services.
Transport - Air
Can Tho Airport (VCA) is 10 kilometres south of the city, ViętNam Airline
schedules should be checked for services.
Transport -
Road
Can Tho Bus Station at Nguyen Trai
Street @ Tran Phu Street, about 2 kilometres north-west of the centre, is
the long distance terminal with connections with Mien Tay Bus Station in Ho Chi
Minh City’s as well as other
centres in the Mekong Delta.
The local Bus Station is 300 metres south of the intersection of 30 April Street
@ Tran Phu Street with services to centres in the Mekong Delta.
Transport -
Water
Green Line hydrofoil travel between Ho Chi Minh City/SaiGon and Can Tho's Ninh Kieu
Port calls in at My Tho, en route.
The 4 hour journey costs USD$24 (one way), Vietnamese citizens pay
Đong 140,000,
and is quite comfortable. Buying tickets a day or two before departure ensures a
'front' seat.
Green Line: Ho Chi Minh City Tel: +84-(0)-8-821-5609; Can Tho Tel: +84-(0)-71-829-372.
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