You have 3 free weekends. Try going to Can Tho for 2 days and 1 night for a stargazing trip. You will definitely have a memorable vacation. But how to have a fun and budget-friendly trip to Can Tho? Check out our experience of going to Can Tho for 2 days and 1 night from Saigon. You will surely have a fun trip and some Instagram-worthy photos.
>>> See more: Guide to traveling to Can Tho for 3 days and 2 nights
From Saigon, we booked a sleeper bus from Phuong Trang to Can Tho, which took about 3 and a half hours to arrive. Initially, we didn’t expect much because there was very little information on food, accommodation, and activities. But our recent 2-day, 1-night trip to Can Tho was extremely fun and memorable. And I’ll tell you why.
Booking accommodation in Can Tho
We booked a fairly cheap and beautiful homestay. This place attracted us right from the entrance because… it was full of greenery. At the entrance were two rows of lush green bamboo forming an archway that looked very charming. Going further in, it felt like a miniature Mekong Delta: with small ponds, boats, fish, bamboo bridges, coconut trees, and very cute small wooden houses.
The nature was so pristine, but the surprising thing was how clean everything was. I was even a bit shocked when I entered the shared toilet area (dining area) which was extremely clean, fragrant, spacious, and well-equipped. The paths were lined with grass but all paved with stones so there was no dirt or sand.
Our room was impeccable. The air conditioning cooled the two-story room, the bathroom had an open ceiling looking out to the sky but still had all the amenities like electricity, water, lights, hot and cold water, and outside the bedroom was a spacious balcony where you could sit and enjoy the view of the homestay.
Just a few steps outside our room was the swimming pool. Super clean and chill, everyone. The surrounding scenery was lovely, the weather was sunny but not too hot, so we just wanted to relax and swim there.
>>> See more: Experience of going to Can Tho for 1 day from Saigon
Instagrammable spots in Can Tho – Binh Thuy Ancient House:
Because our accommodation was a bit far from the city center, we chose to travel by taxi. The name of this place is well-known to taxi drivers, but if you go on your own, just check Google Maps. The colorful house with flowers and leaves that I posted is the Binh Thuy Ancient House. The exterior is just as beautiful, I only adjusted it slightly so rest assured it’s real. In fact, besides the unique architecture and vibrant colors, this spot was probably just a quick photo stop for us. Although there are many interesting stories about this house, you probably need a guide to fully understand them.
What to do in the evening in Can Tho
*TRẦN PHÚ NIGHT MARKET:
First, a taxi driver recommended us to have dinner there as it is also a popular spot for evening dining. However, my personal feeling is that it’s not very impressive. There are quite a few food stalls open at night in this area, but mostly offering hotpot, grilling (not very special), and fruit buffets.
Grilling: we tried a row of stalls grilling various meats and seafood on skewers, and it was decent.
Burnt rice with pork floss: this snack-like dish is quite popular with many vendors selling it, it’s tasty and unique, but a bit sweeter compared to the taste of people from the North.
Grilled fertilized duck egg with salt and chili: similar to normal boiled fertilized duck egg soaked in slightly salty and spicy fish sauce.
*NINH KIEU NIGHT MARKET:
Before heading to Ninh Kieu market, I stopped by a famous drink shop nearby:
BỌT BY KENLE: This shop is famous for its FOAM MILK COFFEE (coffee at the bottom, a layer of cream on top), very fragrant and delicious. I tried their HONGKONG MILK TEA, also very tasty, with a strong and aromatic taste of Hong Kong tea. The drinks at this shop have a unique quality, so I recommend everyone to give it a try.
Ninh Kieu night market: It feels like a place specifically opened to serve tourists (selling some souvenirs, and some not very tasty snacks). So, if you like hustle and bustle, you can go there, but I recommend skipping it.
>>> See more: What to do in Can Tho
Day 2: Explore Cai Rang Floating Market
THIS IS OUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT ON THIS TRIP. We left at 5:30 in the morning, and as soon as we stepped out of the door, we saw the tour guide waiting at the hotel.
We thought we would take a taxi to the floating market area, but no. We walked to the beginning of the area, crossed the street, and… jumped straight onto a boat. We were both very shocked. It was our first time experiencing the waterway transportation style of the Mekong Delta: leaving the house, jumping on a boat, and traveling everywhere.
Our tour only had the two of us with the guide, so we got to ride a small boat (called a “ghe” here) and the boat lady took us through small canals, with small houses of the locals on both sides, hidden among the trees. Drifting along the river in the cool morning air, listening to the guide talk about the nature of the Mekong Delta and the living habits of the people here, was truly fascinating.
The boat just arrived at a large river bend as the sun rose, painting the sky red. You can see the image below. After a while, more and more boats crowded as we approached the Cai Rang Floating Market.
CAI RANG HU TIEU:
The first thing when arriving at the market is our tour guide stopping in front of a boat selling hu tieu on the river. There is only one couple running this small boat selling hu tieu, bun rieu, but surrounded by a variety of boats waiting to serve everyone. The line was longer than the famous Pho Ganh in Hanoi. And it was truly worth the wait as it was the BEST HU TIEU I HAVE EVER TASTED IN MY LIFE. Clearly, the ingredients and seasoning were quite different from the ones I’ve had in Saigon and Hanoi.
HOT SOY MILK, COFFEE:
While waiting for breakfast, there was a stall selling drinks so we decided to try. We tried the hot soy milk and coffee, and both of us found them excellent.
>>>Read more: Eating experience at Cai Rang floating market
FRUITS
The floating market mainly sells special fruits in Can Tho. I heard they have milk apples, durians, jackfruits, etc., which are very delicious. But when we went, the tour guide said it’s not the right season for fruits, so it’s better not to buy to avoid disappointment. However, looking at the fruit stalls, they still look very delicious, everyone, delicious to the eyes. If anyone has more time than us, it’s worth exploring more to buy fruits to eat or as gifts.
HU TIEU STOVE
Passing through the floating market and going a bit further, we arrived at the Hu Tieu stove. Here, we got to try our hand at making the rice paper and cutting the Hu Tieu noodles, which was super fun. Buying dried Hu Tieu here as a gift is also of great quality. We just tried it for dinner tonight after coming back, TASTIER THAN MI QUANG.
After visiting those spots, the sun was shining, we were both tired and needed to head back early, so we decided to head back.
>>>Read more: Travel guide to Can Tho – Soc Trang – Con Dao
Cost for a 2-day 1-night trip to Can Tho
1. Phuong Trang sleeper bus
Ticket from Saigon to Can Tho 145k/person
Ticket from Can Tho to Saigon 145k/person
2. Hotel
Room with a double bed around 600k/night
Food here is okay, a bit more expensive than outside
3. Tran Phu night market: Cai Khe ward, Ninh Kieu district, Can Tho – spent around 200k for food
4. Bọt by. Kenle milk tea cafe: 6 Hoa Binh, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho – prices here are very cheap, around 25-30k per cup
5. Cai Rang floating market tour with private guide for 2 people, including transportation, breakfast, and some fruits is 580k/person
6. Taxi: I don’t remember the company because I always ask someone to call, there’s also Grab and Be there
Taxi from Binh Thuy Ancient House hotel 55k
Taxi from Binh Thuy Ancient House to Tran Phu market 120k
Taxi from Tran Phu market to Ninh Kieu market 30k
Taxi from Ninh Kieu market to the hotel 80k
Total cost for a 2-day 1-night trip to Can Tho is 1,600,000 VND per person all-inclusive
In general, this price range is acceptable for young people to spend and experience a meaningful 2-day 1-night trip to Can Tho.
