Getting Around, Can Tho Travel, Transport and Car Rental

(Can Tho, Mekong Delta, Vietnam)

Can Tho is quite well connected to Ho Chi Minh City by public transport, with Highway 1 running all the way. It is less than four hours by car or five hours by bus travel. The city also has a useful international airport and you can fly here directly from Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, as well as from Singapore, Bangkok and Phnom Penh.

There is no train transportation option to Can Tho, though you can travel in by express hydrofoil. Bus travel is the cheapest option and minibuses are also available. For car hire, you will need to do so with a driver, or charter a taxi for the duration of your stay. Of note, public transport in Can Tho includes taxis (cars and motorbikes) and pedicabs.

Can Tho International Airport (VCA) / Arriving by Air

Address: Le Hong Phong, Quan Binh Thuy, Can Tho, Vietnam, VN
Formerly known as Tra Noc Airport, the very recently expanded Can Tho International Airport has connections with Da Nang, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Phu Quoc, all of which are served by Vietnam Airlines. There are also international services from Bangkok, Phnom Penh and Singapore. This upgraded airport is situated around 15 km / 9 miles to the north-west of the city centre and comes with decent facilities, being well connected by taxis and shuttle buses.

Car Rental

Tourists cannot drive in Ho Chi Minh City - not that you would particularly want to anyway, as the roads can be rather heavy going. You can, however, rent a car with driver, although simply chartering a taxi for the day is an easier option and really quite affordable. These taxis can be found outside most major hotels and tourist spots.

Buses and Coaches

The city's bus station is around a 15-minute walk from the centre, and can be reached by walking along the Thang 4. Buses depart from the Mien Tay bus station in Ho Chi Minh City, taking about five hours to reach Can Tho. Express minibuses also make this trip and are a better travel option for tourists, offering a faster journey time of roughly four hours.

Further bus transport connects the city with Chau Doc (three hours), Long Xuyen (one hour and 30 minutes), My Tho (two hours and 30 minutes) and Soc Trang (one hour). If you are looking to travel to the Phung Hiep floating market, then head to the short-haul bus station, which is situated just off the corner of the D Mau Than and the D 30 Thang 4.

Taxis

Can Tho has standard sedan taxis, as well as motorcycle taxis (xe om) and powered and un-powered pedicabs (xe loi). Hailing either is easy, but you should always be sure to pre-negotiate the fare. Taxis are the best bet if you are planning to travel to and from the airport, and while xe loi are fun, they are rather slow. The motorcycle taxis are the fastest, yet have an obvious element of danger.

Boats and Ferries

Although you can get here from Ho Chi Minh City by hydrofoil express boat, the building of the Can Tho Bridge and the direct highway has made this service all but obsolete. Ferry services come in throughout the day from Ho Chi Minh City, Ca Mau and other destinations along the Mekong Delta, docking at the ferry pier at Ninh Kieu. Additional ferry passengers arrive from Chau Doc on the slow boat.