A shot of the floating market (Source: Baolau Travel Website)
In the Mekong Delta region, set on the southern bank of the Hau River, lies Vietnam’s fourth-largest city. Popular for its canal network and floating markets, the city of Can Tho is a dynamic metropolis and a welcome addition to Vietnam’s food paradise.
For sightseers, the main tours include the Bùi Hữu Nghĩa memorial area, orchid gardens, the Bình Thủy communal hall and Sơn Islet, where guests can enjoy a bowl of Chicken Stew with Medicinal Herbs. If you’re still hungry for more, these tourist destinations are not limited to organic farms and artisans but also feature the lively food culture for visitors to savor.
Can Tho is nicknamed the “Western capital” of Vietnam for a whole host of reasons. Right in the heart of the city is De Tham Street – delighting taste buds with local favorites like Bánh Tráng Nướng (Vietnamese Pizza), renowned for its distinctive flavor and affordable prices. With a delicious base of grilled rice paper, this street snack is decorated with various toppings like egg, meat (beef jerky, chicken or pork), seafood, sausages, chopped spring onions, and mixed with dried shrimp crisps.
Vietnamese Pizza (Source: I Tour Vietnam Website)
Hang Dua or Ninh Kieu Night Market is a mesh of epicurean cuisine with a side of street experience, selling savory French-Inspired Crepes (Bánh Xèo), filled with bean sprouts, green onions and meat. Foodies can also indulge in a serving of Xôi Gà (Sticky Rice with Chicken). The soft texture and signature sauce are to die for!
French-Inspired Crepes (Bánh Xèo) (Source: Thucthan Website)
Grab a spoon and get ready to devour bowls of the Duck and Soy Cheese Hotpot. The duck is flavored with soy cheese, spices and ginger, cooked with mushrooms, taro and garlic, and boiled together in coconut water. Served with rice or vermicelli noodles, the dish is topped with vegetables like water morning glory or mustard leaves. Dip the duck into a secret sauce, alongside a hotpot made of sugar, lime juice, chili and soy cheese – just take it all in!
Taking a spin on traditional recipes, dabble a little in the local version of Nem Nướng (Barbecued Pork or Chicken Skewers). Both fillings are typically wrapped in rice paper and eaten with a mound of herbs, diced cucumber and sliced fruit like green banana or starfruit. Visitors can also feast their eyes on the pretty Bánh Tét cake, a traditional Can Tho specialty made with purple-dyed sticky rice with a salted egg yolk at the center.
Bánh Tét, a local specialty (Source: Bánh Ngon Bình Dương Restaurant’s Facebook)
Between the lush fruit gardens, lively markets, stunning landscapes and countless delicacies, Can Tho is a melting pot of cuisines and culture, one of the best that Vietnam has to offer for the discerning traveler or the gastronomic tourist.