Can Tho the home of the floating markets

Often referred to as the rice basket of Vietnam, Can Tho, well known for its floating markets dotted around the Mekong Delta.

After an early morning crossing from Cambodia we entered Vietnam on a visa free entry. Our time in this country was pretty short. So we decided to make the most by selecting several main places in the country to see. Can Tho being one of them.

We had been advised that land transport i.e. the buses can be a little intense, it was only in our nature to discover what people were going on about. The use of a horn is like a crucial device for the vietnamese, With motorbikes literally covering the roads, I swear the horn was pressed every few seconds. I never felt so on edge than on the roads in Vietnam.

Definately wouldnt use a bus whilst in Vietnam if you intend to be somewhere in a good time. Can Tho was surprisingly bigger than I expected. I had visually thought of a small fishing town, but to be welcomed by one of the largest cities in Vietnam. Home to over a million people.

We have planned to stay two nights in this city, in a simple but cosy guesthouse situated in walking distance to the centre. The following morning we had booked a very early boat tour down the Mekong to visit the floating markets. Rising at 5am to start our tour, we were slowly guided down the river as the sun started to rise. The colours were breathtaking.

The sheer volume and variety of boats didnt fail to amaze me, selling pineapples, potatoes and many other products it was fun to watch the daily market life. Drifting further down the delta, our guide stopped at a local rice noodle factory. Here we were able to walk around, and watch the whole processed of the noodle being made. A simple but delicate operation.

We had selected a half day tour, which was around 5 hours, our guide didnt speak much english so we had a hard time learning about the local culture. But it was still a great experience.

Can tho is a very modern and well developed city, with lots of skyscraper buildings, department stores, great supply of food places and some really cool parks to relax or even rollerskate in.

While the floating markets are the highlight of this city, the riverfront promenade itself is also pleasant with some great places to relax and eat. If you’ve got time for just one destination in the Delta, this is where you should be heading.