Can Tho: A 2-Day New Year’s Getaway (2026)

My last visit to Can Tho was back in 2018, also during the New Year holiday. Back then, it was a quick overnight stay filled with classic experiences: fermented fish hotpot, duck with fermented bean curd, the floating market, and the pedestrian bridge. Returning after 8 years, the city hasn't changed drastically, though the roads are wider and some old favorites have transformed.

For instance, Da Ly Fermented Fish Hotpot. I used to love its breezy garden setting where the massive platter of fresh herbs would make everyone go "wow." Now, due to road expansion, the restaurant has moved indoors. While still spacious, the lack of greenery makes it feel a bit dull. A small hotpot for three costs 500,000 VND—plenty to keep you stuffed—but the vegetable platter is no longer "gigantic" like it used to be. Even though we couldn't finish it all, the visual "wow factor" has certainly been cut in half.

This time, I skipped the famous Thanh Giao Duck with Fermented Bean Curd as friends mentioned the quality has dipped. Instead, I discovered Bay Toi Crispy Pancake (Bánh Xèo)—delicious and incredibly affordable. Four of us had two massive pancakes, two servings of mini savory pancakes (bánh khọt), and drinks for just 210,000 VND. For context, I had the same dish in Saigon last week at triple the price!

Getting Around & Staying

Driving from Saigon to Can Tho, the first 30km through the city to reach the highway is a bit time-consuming. After that, it’s a smooth 140km cruise. Leaving at 7:00 AM, we arrived just after 11:00 AM.

A new stop for us this trip was Truc Lam Phuong Nam Zen Monastery, located about 12km from the center. Beyond the grand main temple, there’s a Tran family ancestral house at the back. It makes me wonder if the Tran descendants grew wealthy enough to fund this massive site! It seems many grand temples nowadays are privately funded by enterprises, much like the Bai Dinh Pagoda in the North.

In the heart of Can Tho, 30 Thang 4 Boulevard remains the main artery leading to the Ninh Kieu Wharf night market. Hotels right on the wharf can be pricey, so I opted for Iris Signature Hotel a bit further in. It’s not overly large, but the 7th-floor pool offers great views of the city and the Can Tho River. The breakfast and coffee area on the 10th floor is quite "chill" for morning river-watching. If you don't have a car, a quick 2km taxi ride gets you to the night market.

Nightlife

On Friday night (Jan 2, 2026), the night market was buzzing with street food stalls and milk tea shops lined up side-by-side. Walking about 1km along the riverbank leads you to the pedestrian bridge. It's a perfect spot for shopping, sipping tea, and catching the river breeze after dinner. This area is also the hub for evening cruise boats, so it's where most tourists gather.

The Cai Rang Floating Market Experience

You can't visit Can Tho without seeing the Cai Rang Floating Market. At Ninh Kieu Wharf, you can find booths selling tickets for evening cruises or morning market tours. There are two time slots: 5:00 AM and 7:00 AM, lasting about 2 to 2.5 hours.

• Group Tour: 100,000 VND/person (large boat, 15-20 people). Fixed schedule.

• Private Boat: 500,000 VND/boat (perfect for families of 4-8). Total flexibility, though the market starts winding down around 8:00 AM.

While walking the night before, a local lady approached us, so we booked on the spot. At 5:30 AM, our guide, Mr. Hieu, called to wake us up and took us out on the water. The boat ride from the wharf to the market takes about 40 minutes. This season, the market is filled with boats selling fruit, coffee, and breakfast staples like Crab Noodle Soup (Bún riêu).

Mr. Hieu pulled up to Mrs. Bay’s boat for some "Wobbly Noodles" (Bún lắc)—so named because you eat while swaying with the waves! Her menu is diverse: crab noodles, grilled pork noodles, congee, and instant noodles. At least five other boats were huddled around her. She’s doing great business, but the price is a bit "tourist-premium" at 45,000 VND/bowl. With prices rising everywhere these days, I considered it a way to support the locals. I also grabbed an iced coffee for 15,000 VND from a passing boat.

The locals have become very savvy with tourism. Mr. Hieu not only guided us but also used my phone to film some fun review clips of us eating on the boat. Afterward, he took us to a noodle workshop and coconut candy factory. You can stock up on specialties here: dried fish (about 30,000–40,000 VND per 100g), "Long-legged Lady" dried frogs, and flavored coconut candies. I particularly liked the "Sweet Hu Tieu"—a thin noodle sheet rolled with mung bean and coconut milk. You can also buy colorful dried noodles made from Pandan and Gac fruit to cook at home. The best part? You can taste everything before you buy!

We were back at the dock by 8:30 AM, just in time for a second breakfast buffet at the hotel before it closed at 9:30 AM. There's nothing like sunbathing with a coffee while overlooking the city.

Weather & Final Thoughts

The weather in Can Tho for New Year 2026 was lovely—sunny days and slightly chilly nights. If you're heading to the floating market early or the pedestrian bridge late, bring a light jacket. While we missed the sunrise due to a cloudy morning, the sunset from the hotel pool was a fantastic consolation prize.

This 2-day, 1-night trip was short but enough to soak in the rhythm of the "Western Capital" after 8 years. Can Tho remains as gentle and hospitable as ever, despite the changes in scenery and prices. Farewell, Can Tho—I’ll be back for more Bánh Xèo and river breezes soon!