Can Tho Bridge is now on the must-visit list of many travelers due to its charm. Crossing the Hau River, the long iron and steel bridge becomes poetic and soft.

Can Tho Bridge has been opened to traffic since 2010 after six years of construction. Not only connecting the two provinces of Can Tho and Vinh Long, the bridge also serves as an iconic symbol of the Mekong Delta that travelers should visit once. Read on to see the beauty of this bridge virtually and get well-prepared for your real trip.

1. Can Tho Bridge's location

Can Tho Bridge (in Vietnamese: Cầu Cần Thơ) is a cable-stayed bridge in Can Tho, Vietnam. It spans over the Hau (Bassac) River, the biggest distributary of the Mekong river. It features a 6-lane carriageway with four lanes for cars and two lanes for bicycles and motorcycles, measuring 15,850 meters in length and 23 meters in width. It also has a 39-meter clearance, which allows large ships to pass beneath it.

Till now, Can Tho Bridge is the longest cable-stayed bridge in Southeast Asia and one of the ten longest bridges in the world.

How to get there

Can Tho is the largest and most centrally placed city in the Mekong Delta, and its infrastructure has grown dramatically in recent years. As a result, the city is easily accessible by car, bus, and plane.

➟ From Ho Chi Minh City

If you want to explore Ho Chi Minh City before going to Can Tho, you should take a bus because there are tons of service providers in this city. Depending on traffic, the entire trip time from Saigon to Can Tho Bridge is just three to five hours. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the bus station.

➟ From Can Tho

Can Tho has a domestic airport, which makes it easy to reach the city from other places of Vietnam. Vietjet Air, Vietnam Airlines, and Bamboo Airways offer direct flights to and from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Phu Quoc. The price of a flight might be as low as $50.

After entering the city, you may take a taxi/bus from the airport to Can Tho Bridge.

➟ From Phu Quoc

You may either take a flight or the fast ferry from Phu Quoc to Rach Gia (2,5 hours) and then take a bus to Can Tho Bridge.

2. The best time to visit Can Tho Bridge in Vietnam

Can Tho has a year-round warm and humid climate, which is particularly comfortable for tourists to come at any time. The dry season lasts from December to April, and the rainy season begins in May and ends in November. Can Tho Bridge has its own charm, but it would be perfect if you could spend time exploring many appealing sites surrounding it.

If your trip falls in the rainy season, you may also see the floating markets at their best. When traveling in the summer, you will be surrounded by a variety of ripe fruits.

3. Can Tho Bridge's construction

The construction of Can Tho Bridge began on September 25, 2004, and was scheduled to be completed in late 2008. It aims to relieve the traffic congestion on the National Highway 1A and reduce the journey time between Can Tho and Vinh Long provinces. However, the collapse of the partially built bridge in 2007 delayed its opening. On April 24, 2010; the bridge was officially opened for traffic.

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4. The unique beauty of Can Tho Bridge

Can Tho Bridge is spanning over the Hau river and partially over the Au dune, which gives a sense that it is stretching out. It is also designed with an inverted Y-shaped pillar structure containing 216 strands of cables. All of these make the bridge a tranquil, soft, and eye-catching beauty from afar. Not surprisingly, many people see it as one of Vietnam's most poetic bridges. The lyrical beauty of Can Tho Bridge has so penetrated numerous current poems, though it has only been in use for 10 years.

5. Things to do when entering Can Tho Bridge

5.1. Admire the majestic Can Tho Bridge's scenery

A brilliantly constructed lighting system runs the length of the bridge, giving it a glittering attractiveness in the night sky. As such, the best time to enter Can Tho Bridge will be at night. After a long day, a drive over/beneath the bridge to feel the cool breeze and watch the immense Hau river can soothe your mind and soul.

5.2. Visit Cai Rang Floating Market

Can Tho Bridge will lead you to Cai Rang Floating Market - the largest and most impressive floating market in Vietnam. Even though a long time has gone by since its establishment, the simplicity and genuine beauty of the floating market remain intact here.

If you want to see the market at its peak, you have to get up early, because the market opens at 5 a.m and becomes less lively after 10 a.m. The cost for renting a tour boat ranges from 300,000 to 500,000 VND, depending on the number of people on the boat.

5.3. Take a boat trip in Can Tho

A boat trip is the most popular way for tourists to see the region around Can Tho. The boats that leave early in the morning for Cai Rang Floating Market are the most commonly chosen option.

You could choose a quick boat trip to Cai Rang or a full-day excursion to both Cai Rang and Phong Dien floating markets which includes traveling along the backwater channels and visiting local villages. The longer tour is recommended as it can give you a deeper understanding of the region.

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5.4. Stroll around Ninh Kieu Wharf

Ninh Kieu Wharf lies on the bank of Hau River and is the gateway to discover Can Tho's floating markets and orchards. It embraces the beauty of a bustling but peaceful city. After nightfall, don’t forget to take a stroll along the river’s embankment and observe the authentic local lifestyle.

6. Things to remember when visiting Can Tho Bridge

To have a wonderful trip in Can Tho in Vietnam, you should take notes of the following:

Bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen
When taking river trips below Can Tho Bridge or visiting the floating market, choose reputable providers and boats equipped with lifebuoys and jackets
Can Tho itself is beautiful, but it is also a good place to explore the rest of the Mekong. If you have time, don’t forget to visit places like An Giang, Dong Thap, and Ca Mau
Have accommodations booked in advance

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Can Tho Bridge, known for its modern design and poetic beauty spanning over the Hau river, is well worth the trip. If you're planning a trip to the Mekong Delta, be sure to include this stop in your itinerary. Are you ready to get your adventure on?

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