Tips for Visiting Can Tho Market on Mekong Tours

Location, Hours & Entrance Fee

Exact Location of Can Tho Market

Can Tho Market is located in the middle of the city, right on Hai Ba Trung Street, Tan An Ward, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City. You can’t miss the vibrant and bustling Can Tho Market! It cannot be more secluded as the hotel is merely a few steps away from the breathtaking Cai Rang Floating Market and facing the peaceful life on the Hau River. 

Opening Hours

• Daily from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM

• Whether you’re up at dawn or entranced by the glow of evening lanterns, Can Tho Market thrums with activity from the moment it opens to the moment it closes.

Entrance Fee

• Admission: FREE!

• That’s right — seeing the architecture, the people, and tasting the amazing street food will not even cost you a thing. It’s the cultural bargain of all time when you’re in Can Tho.

What to Expect: Market Zones & Atmosphere

Explore the Vibrant Zones of Can Tho Market

One step inside Can Tho Market and you’ll be treated to an explosion of colors, flavors, and textures! The market is thoughtfully organized into zones, so your adventure is as exhilarating as it is effortless. Here’s what you can expect:

• Souvenir Zone: Find 20 booths of handicrafts, Non la, coconut and bamboo products, wood carvings, Ao ba ba, and more. Every item speaks to a story of the Mekong Delta and the people who inhabit it.
• Food Court: This is where the magic begins! Plunge into smoking frying pans and rich scents from the local street food, hot bowls of rice noodle soup, crispy Banh mi, spicy Bun mam, and delicate Ha cao dumplings. For a sit-down, the renowned Sao Hom Restaurant located directly in the market is a must!
• Local produce: There is also a good selection of local agricultural and aquatic products (some are from Song Hau Farm) for you to browse. It is a perfect spot to pick up gifts or authentic ingredients that will help you take a part of Can Tho, Vietnam, home with you.

Souvenir Zone at Can Tho Market (Source: thamhiemmekong)

A Market With a View

The architecture of Can Tho Market is one of the reasons it is so special. An open-air design, classic French colonial elements, and wafting corridors combine to make the market as photogenic as it is functional. One side faces the bustling Hai Ba Trung Street, Tan An Ward, Ninh Kieu, whilst the other overlooks the tranquil Hau River—a picturesque riverside setting at the heart of Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City.

This quirky riverside arrangement joins the market with the spirit of the Mekong River, as it did the traders from miles around. The open design lets in the fresh air and sunshine, just right for those warm weather days when you pop on your hat, sunnies, and sunscreen!

When’s the Best Time to Visit?

• Morning (6:00 AM – 10:00 AM): If you’re a die-hard shopper intent on capturing the best photos before the hordes descend, head to the market in the early morning. It is also when many of the locals do their shopping, giving you a more authentic slice of Can Tho, Vietnam life. 
• Evening (5:00 PM – 9:00 PM): Come sunset over the Hau River, the streets are adorned with lanterns and the sounds of the market turn from a murmur to a roar, with appetizing smells wafting from pots of boiling broth and street food that is hard to resist. This is your golden hour to line the water’s edge and indulge in the lively, nostalgic ambiance, so much the more if you’ve come here after wrapping up the Cai Rang Floating Market or disembarking from a cruise originating at Ninh Kieu Wharf.

Must-Try Food & Drinks

Street Food Heaven Awaits

While you’re perusing the stalls of Can Tho Market, take note not just with your eyes but also with your mouth! Here are a few traditional dishes that your taste buds and appetite (and maybe even your bank account) will thank you for trying:

• Banh mi – ~15,000-25,000 VND: A crusty Vietnamese baguette with pork, pickled vegetables, herbs, and chili. Portable, tasty, and iconic!
• Bun mam – ~40,000-60,000 VND:  Fermented fish broth with shrimp, eggplant, and a hearty rice noodle: the flavors make this rich and distinctively southern dish. A real, Can Tho, Vietnam taste!
• Banh lot (~10,000 -20,000VND)  is a sweet, icy dessert of pandan jelly, coconut milk, and crushed ice—great to help beat the tropical heat.
• Ha cao (dim sum dumplings) – ~20,000-35,000 VND/cocktail: Just steamed and stuffed with fresh shrimp or pork, these little snacks are the ideal match for tea.

Banh Mi at Can Tho Market (Source: ivivu)

Dine in Style at Sao Hom Restaurant

For a seated meal with a hint of flair, Sao Hom Restaurant, inside Can Tho Market, is your place. This is an excellent combination of Vietnamese-European fusion, with Mediterranean dishes, serving grilled fish and vegetables, pastas, and western desserts. 

• Dish costs are between 80,000 to 250,000 VND.
• Try this: grilled Mekong fish, caramelised pork clay pot, their signature banana flambé.

Situated in Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City, it’s an ideal stop to refuel during midday, after visiting the floating markets in Can Tho.

Shopping Guide: What to Buy

Handicrafts that Speak Culture

You’re sure to encounter more than 20 stalls full of local charm as you walk the circuit of Can Tho Market. What is special about these souvenirs? They are handmade by local artisans and are deeply tied to Mekong River culture. Be sure to check out:

• Non la (conical hats) –Approx 30,000–70,000 VND: It’s lightweight and beautiful, adds a nice touch for sunblock and photos!
• Ao ba ba – ~100,000–250,000 VND: A classic southern Vietnamese blouse and an item both stylish and symbolic.
• Coconut & bamboo crafts – ~20,000 – 150,000 VND: Whether you go for woven baskets or carved spoons, or decorative pieces, these eco-friendly gifts are always popular.

Souvenirs Made by artisans (Source: laodong)

Tastes of the Mekong: Processed Goods to Pack

In addition to the renowned street food, there is also an outstanding array of farm goods, much from nearby Song Hau farm. Popular picks include:

• Let’s get into the dried mango, coconut candy, and jackfruit chips – all healthy sweet treats that are great to share.
• Fermented fish paste & chili sauces – pungent but local flavours in convenient jars to ship. 
• Herbal teas and rice wines – great gifts for foodies waiting at home.

Smart Shopping Tips from a Local Guide

Here’s how to get the most out of your shopping spree in Can Tho Market:

1. Bargain friendly, but nicely: smile and say 70%–80% of the price suggested by the vendor. Sellers are accustomed to friendly haggling.
2. Buy early in the day: You may encounter the freshest goods and a full selection, as well as friendlier prices.
3. Carry cash: Most vendors do not take cards, especially on more affordable items.
4. Verify packaging, especially for food items, if traveling internationally.
5. Shop local, shop thoughtful: Choose locally made items — they mean more, and they can help support families who live in your area.

Must-See Attractions for Can Tho Market Visitors

Attractions Within Walking Distance of Can Tho Market

After a day of shopping and street food-indulging at Can Tho Market, make your way via a stroll to these not-to-be-missed spots:

Ben Ninh Kieu (Ninh Kieu Wharf)

• Address: 106 Hai Ba Trung, Tan An Ward, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City
• Entrance fee: Free
• A busy pier by the Hau River where you can people-watch, take boat trips to Cai Rang Floating Market, or stroll under twinkling lights at night. It’s the soul of riverside life in Can Tho, Vietnam. 

Chua Ong (Ong Pagoda)

• Address: 32 Hai Ba Trung, Tan An Ward, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City
• Entrance fee: Free
• A vibrant Chinese temple bursting with incense smoke, golden dragons, and local devotion—and it’s only a 2-minute walk from Can Tho Market!

Cau Tinh Yeu (Love Bridge)

• Location: Extends from the edge of Ninh Kieu Wharf over the Hau River
• Entrance fee: Free
• Come at sunset, when the bridge is lit. Couples, families, and solo travelers will all enjoy this peaceful, romantic spot in the middle of  Can Tho City Center.

Cau Tinh Yeu (Source: thamhiemmekong)

Short Taxi Rides for Exploring Can Tho Market Gems

Close to Can Tho Market, so good for a quick ride in, these nearby attractions are the perfect way to round out your itinerary:

Can Tho Museum

• Address: 1 Hoa Binh Avenue, Tan An Ward, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City
• Entrance fee: Free
• Opening hours: 8:00–11:00 AM & 2:00–5:00 PM (Tue–Thu, Sat–Sun)
• Explore the colorful history, culinary diversity, ethnic variety, and revolutionary intrigue of the Mekong River region and experience the making of Can Tho Market.

Munirangsyaram Pagoda

• Address: 36 Hoa Binh Avenue, Tan An Ward, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City
• Entrance fee: Free
• Gilded spires and serene courtyards at this Khmer Buddhist temple. Bring a camera,  and perhaps your scarf or shawl for modest temple-wear.

Munirangsyaram Pagoda (Source: mytour)

Conclusion

Can Tho Market is much more than a shopping or eating experience; it’s where the soul of the Mekong Delta is to be found. From its picturesque riverside to its buzzing street food action, we think the market reflects the personality, food, and life of Can Tho, Vietnam. Whether you begin the adventure from the Cai Rang Floating Market or walk from Ninh Kieu Wharf, this market is your ideal first stop for soaking in the beating heart of Can Tho Vietnam.