Can Tho Museums and Art Galleries

(Can Tho, Mekong Delta, Vietnam)

Unfortunately Can Tho is a bit thin on cultural offerings and art galleries. There is the impressive Can Tho Museum, though, which covers the history of the city well and more than makes up for the lack of other similar attractions. In addition, the city's Military Museum contains some interesting militaria and weaponry exhibits.

You will find the Can Tho Museum along the main Hoa Binh road, where it has many informative exhibits and placards in English. The Military Museum, meanwhile, has a good display of war machines left by the Americans, as well as the odd gallery. Also of note, the nearby Delta town of Soc Trang (approximately an hour to the south) has a natty attraction relating to Khmer culture.

Can Tho Museum

Address: 1 DL Hoa Binh, Can Tho, Vietnam, VN
Tel: +84 71 381 3890
Located in the city centre is the huge Can Tho Museum, which details the story of the city and province. There are many exhibits and thousands of objects here, including a huge pagoda and a traditional teahouse. You can also learn about the city's persistent resistance to foreign rule. The clear labelling of the exhibits and English signage makes a visit all the more enjoyable and informative.
Open hours: Tuesday to Thursday - 08:00 to 11:00, 14:00 to 17:00; Saturday and Sunday - 08:00 to 11:00, 18:30 to 21:00
Admission: free

Military Museum

Address: 6 DL Hoa Binh, Can Tho, Vietnam, VN
The Military Museum, also referred to as the Army Museum, is to be found just a stroll across from the Can Tho Museum, in the heart of the city. This popular attraction is loaded with American weaponry left over from the war, including a fighter jet, a Huey (HU1) helicopter and missiles on the lawn, along with portraits of Ho Chi Minh, a famous Vietnamese Marxist revolutionary leader who served as the president of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam) between 1945 and 1969. The thatched building (hooch) in the middle depicts a meeting of Vietcong in the Mekong Delta.
Open hours: daily - 08:00 to 11:00, 14:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Khmer Culture Museum

Address: 3 D Nguyen Chi Thanh, Soc Trang, Vietnam, VN
Those who want to learn about the culture and history of the Khmers should consider taking a day trip and heading down to Soc Trang, where you can check out the Khmer Culture Museum. This attraction is situated in an old pagoda and covers the story well, explaining how the ancient Khmer civilisation once ruled the Mekong River valley during the 11th century, being wiped out by Thai conquests over the centuries that followed. There is also frequent traditional music and dance here, while nearby is the Kh'leang Pagoda.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 07:30 to 11:00 and 13:30 to 16:30
Admission: free