To realize the 2030 target of turning tourism into a key economic sector for Can Tho under Resolution No. 18-NQ/TU of the City Party Committee, the local tourism sector is rolling out multiple measures to renew products and shape the Tay Do identity.

Proposals from enterprises and tourist sites

At present, a key concern for businesses and destinations is how to effectively leverage local resources, develop in-depth products, avoid overlap and establish a unique identity for Can Tho’s tourism sector.

The first priority is rebranding the local tourism sector amid new regional dynamics, positioning Can Tho as the Mekong Delta’s key growth center.

In particular, the riverine culture should be prioritized, especially the network of floating markets that have long defined Can Tho’s tourism identity, such as Cai Rang, Phong Dien, Nga Bay and Nga Nam.

Floating markets require investment to upgrade activities and visitor experiences to boost their appeal, while staging art programs on the river would add new attractions for tourists.

Exploring Can Tho’s canals is a favored activity for many tourists on city tours. Photo: KIEU MAI

Mr. Vo Nguyen Minh Thai, Director of Business and Communications at Cantho Eco Resort, proposed: “We must invest to renew experiences at the floating markets.

In addition to resort stays, exploring Cai Rang Floating Market and visiting fruit orchards are top choices for many tourists visiting Can Tho”.

Mr. Vo Nguyen Minh Thai also shared that Cantho Eco Resort is moving toward becoming a multi-experience destination with a focus on eco-friendly tourism. Its offerings are built on the advantages of orchards and waterways, with boat rides through canals lined with nipa palms among visitors’ favorite experiences.

In reality, the network of rivers and canals is one of the resources most favored by tourists, particularly international visitors.

However, to fully leverage the potential, many businesses and tour operators argue that tourism waterways should be systematically planned, while clogged canal sections caused by issues such as waste need to be cleared.

Routes such as Sao Canal, Vinh Canal and Ke Canal are recommended for further study and investment due to their potential to connect with Cai Rang Floating Market and clusters of fruit orchard, and craft village experiences in Phong Dien.

The development of integrated waterway tourism circuits will broaden the experiential space, easing pressure on current destinations.

Mr. Tran Thanh Thai, Director of Me Kong Smile Tourism Company, said that Can Tho has a characteristic ecosystem with fruit gardens, canals and river-based culture, which provides a strong foundation for diverse tourism products: “In tourism planning, local authorities must set a direction to preserve and promote these distinct features sustainably”.

In addition to cultural offerings, Can Tho also holds significant potential in agricultural, educational and eco-tourism. Sites like Cu Lao Dung, Lung Ngoc Hoang Nature Reserve and Mua Xuan Eco-tourism Area need to be properly planned to enable effective use and preserve their natural resource values.

Defining Can Tho’s tourism identity

Resolution No. 18-NQ/TU dated April 26, 2026, issued by the Executive Committee of the Can Tho City Party Committee on promoting tourism development in the new context calls for diversifying tourism products through the effective exploitation of the city’s distinctive tourism resource values.

Accordingly, the city will concentrate on tourism products with competitive advantages: green, sustainable, eco-tourism, agricultural, community-based, river-based, MICE, resort, cultural, and coastal tourism, and align tourism growth with the conservation and promotion of cultural heritage values. The city will also continue to restore and develop traditional craft villages, while completing tourism-supporting infrastructure.

River-based tourism has been designated as a key development direction, aiming to progressively establish a Mekong River tourism route connected to the river ecosystem and local cultural identity. This will also include developing nighttime economy products, strengthening intra-city tourism connectivity and leveraging the effectiveness of the new development spaces following the administrative reorganization.

Can Tho City is positioned as the Mekong Delta’s hub for ecological, cultural and river-based tourism. Under the Can Tho Tourism Development Strategy to 2030, the city’s tourism is positioned toward a smart, modern urban model, associated with green spaces, water resources and a diverse, high-quality service network - from resorts and entertainment to distinctive cultural experiences.

The city prioritizes exploiting the Hau River ecosystem, developing diverse waterway tourism products, building large-scale entertainment and recreation complexes, promoting the nighttime economy to boost tourist expenditure and duration of stay. It will also focus on preserving and promoting Southern cultural heritage alongside wellness tourism development.

In addition to these strategic directions, the city is rolling out several tourism-related projects and initiatives, such as the Strategy for Conservation and Development of Cai Rang Floating Market, the positioning of Can Tho City’s tourism image and brand and proposals for landscape enhancement of bridges along the Can Tho River.

These orientations aim to continue renewing offerings and experiences at Cai Rang Floating Market, develop waterway tourism products along the route from Ninh Kieu to Cai Rang and integrate tourism with the nighttime economy. Taken step by step, they will establish signature products and give Can Tho tourism a distinct identity in the new development landscape.

AI LAM (Translated by MAI QUYEN)