Overview
Can Tho is the beating heart of the Mekong Delta, a laid-back riverside city where life still revolves around water. It's the natural base for exploring Vietnam's famous floating markets, fruit orchards and maze of canals, and increasingly popular with UK travellers looking to extend a Hanoi–Halong Bay–Ho Chi Minh City itinerary south into the delta. Flights to Can Tho from the UK always involve at least one connection, but the journey is straightforward and well worth it for a side of Vietnam that feels a world away from the cities.
Best time to fly to Can Tho
The dry season, from roughly December to April, brings the most reliable weather, with warm days, low humidity and little rain — ideal for boat trips and cycling among the orchards. May and November are decent shoulder months. June to October is the wet season, with regular afternoon downpours, though the delta is at its greenest and floating markets run as normal year-round, so it needn't rule out a visit if your dates are fixed. Check the When to book chart above for how fares typically move across the year.
Airlines and routes
There are no direct flights to Can Tho from the UK. The standard routing is to fly from London (or another major UK airport) to Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat Airport, then take a short domestic hop onward to Can Tho with Vietnam Airlines or VietJet Air, which takes about an hour. For the long-haul leg, Vietnam Airlines flies from London Heathrow, while one-stop options via a Gulf or Asian hub — with carriers such as Qatar Airways, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines or Turkish Airlines — often widen your choice of departure airports and fares. All told, door-to-door travel time from the UK to Can Tho typically runs 15–19 hours including the connection. Use the price charts on this page to compare routings and carriers.
Things to do in Can Tho
Once you land, Can Tho rewards a couple of unhurried days on the water and among the orchards:
- Cai Rang Floating Market: The largest floating market in the Mekong Delta, best seen at dawn as traders sell produce boat-to-boat.
- Ninh Kieu Wharf: The city's atmospheric riverside promenade, lively with food stalls and boats at night.
- Mekong canal and orchard tours: Small sampan trips wind through narrow canals past fruit orchards and rice paddies.
- Can Tho Museum: A good introduction to Mekong Delta history, culture and daily river life.
- Bang Lang Stork Garden: A peaceful wetland reserve outside the city, home to thousands of storks at sunset.
At Can Tho International Airport (VCA)
Can Tho International Airport sits around 10km (7 miles) north-west of the city centre, and a taxi or ride-hailing app such as Grab will get you into town in around 15–20 minutes. The airport is compact and handles mainly domestic connections, so most UK travellers arrive here after transiting through Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi rather than flying in on a long-haul service.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Can Tho
- Book the long-haul leg to Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi three to six months ahead for the widest choice of fares, then add the short domestic hop separately if it works out cheaper.
- Flying midweek (Tuesday to Thursday) rather than at weekends often unlocks lower fares on both the international and domestic legs.
- Keep your travel dates flexible where possible — shifting by even a few days can make a noticeable difference, as shown in the chart above.
- Compare airlines and routings rather than booking the first option, since one-stop connections via different hubs can vary significantly in price and journey time.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders need a visa to enter Vietnam; the e-visa, applied for online in advance, is the simplest route and currently allows stays of up to 90 days. The local currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND) — cards are accepted in hotels and restaurants in Can Tho city, but cash is essential for floating markets and rural stops. As with any trip to Vietnam, check routine travel vaccinations with your GP or a travel clinic before departure, stick to bottled or purified water, and keep your travel insurance details to hand.
