As with other cities and towns in the Mekong Delta region, the floating markets are one of the major attractions. Much less touristy than those found in Bangkok, the markets are primarily for locals to buy and sell a whole range of goods, with produce such as bananas, durian, jackfruit, mangosteen, mango, papaya, pineapple, guava and fresh vegetables all available.

Smuggled items such as cigarettes are also commonly sold. Small boats, which huddle around Ninh Kiều pier, will take you around the floating markets for around US$3 per hour.

The main floating market in Can Tho is Cai Rang. It is important to be there early, generally no later than 06:00, and then to float back through the small tributaries which carry you to the Can Tho river - the trip normally take about 3 or 4 hours.

Phong Dien, which is located a little further upstream, is also a popular market to visit, especially as it is a retail market. As with the others, it starts and finishes early. Arguably, the best market can be found 30 kilometres south of Can Tho, in Phung Hiep, with a veritable maze featuring hundreds of boats gently bumping up against one another.

There are a number of different beautiful gardens located in Can Tho and surrounding areas. Extending along the arched highway, plus on the various waterways and canals of the Hong Dien and Phung Hiep rivers, are the gardens of Ba Lang, Tan Binh, My Khanh and San Duong.

The My Khanh Gardens are some of the most popular, featuring over 20 varieties of flowers and fruit trees, plus numerous species of fish, birds, tortoises and snakes. There are small resthouses available for visitors wanting to stay overnight in this 2.2 ha reserve.

Ba Lang is substantially larger, at 4.2 ha, and is locted 9 kilometres from Can Tho, towards Soc Trang. It features two lakes that allow visitors the opportunity for swimming, plus an animal sanctuary and a number of small hotels. There are also other gardens which are in various stages of development, located in Long My, Vi Thanh, O Mon and Thot Not.

Although many of the main attractions of a visit to Can Tho are sights and activities are located outside the city, there is enough of interest in the city itself to keep visitors busy for a couple days. Worth checking out is the 1852 Binh Thuy Temple, which features a stuffed tiger that is over 100 years old.

Other interesting sights include the Ho Chi Minh Museum, the Army Museum of Ninth Military Section, the Central Market and the Khmer Pagoda of Munirangsyaram, located on Hoà Bình street.

Industry - Commerce Bank
9 Phan Dinh Phung St., Can Tho
Tel: 820 442

VietcomBank
7 Hoa Binh St., Can Tho
Tel: 824 354

State Bank
2 Ngo Gia Tu St., Can Tho
Tel: 820 395

Rural Development Bank
3 Phan Dinh Phung St., Can Tho
Tel: 821 597

Invest and Development Bank
12 Hoa Binh St., Can Tho
Tel: 820651