“All who come wish never to leave”. So runs the mantra of this famous river city, and it’s easy to see why. Can Tho is the beating metropolitan heart of Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, a region renowned for its flowing beauty and raw southern character, home to the ubiquitous floating market and endless swathes of rice paddy wetlands.

While most visitors come here to explore the web of quaint canals, navigable waterways and river markets that feather out from the city’s heart, the centre of Can Tho is also not to be missed. Here the skyline is peppered with some of South Vietnam’s most impressive Buddhist pagodas, while the trading squares and quirky student joints around Xuan Khanh are a great place to soak up the local vibe.

Can Tho is also known for its super-fresh local produce. For a truly local culinary experience though, your Can Tho tour guide will lead you to the appropriately named Hot Pot Alley, where the homemade broths are laden with Mekong specialities.