Can I visit My Tho from Can Tho?

My Tho is a Mekong Delta town closer to Ho Chi Minh City — known for Thoi Son island, orchards, and Mekong river tours. It is 110km from Can Tho (2.5 hours by car), making it better as stopover en route to HCMC than dedicated day trip.

Getting from Can Tho to My Tho

By bus:

• Departure: Can Tho bus station (254 Nguyen Van Linh)
• Frequency: Hourly, 5am-5pm
• Duration: 2.5 hours
• Price: 120k-180k VND
• Drop-off: My Tho bus station, then taxi to attractions

By car:

• Rental: 1M-1.2M VND/day (with driver)
• Duration: 2.5 hours
• Flexibility: Stop at multiple attractions
• Best for: Groups, families, comfort

By motorbike:

• Rental: 150k-200k VND/day
• Distance: 110km one way
• Duration: 2.5-3 hours
• Caution: Highway traffic, fatigue

What to see in My Tho

Thoi Son Island (Cù Lao Thới Sơn):

• Hours: 8am-5pm
• Entry: 100k VND (includes boat tour, orchard, lunch)
• What: Island with orchards, boat tours, cultural shows
• Features: Dragon dance, honey tea, fruit tasting, sampan rides
• Duration: 3-4 hours
• From town: 15 minutes by boat

Vinh Trang Pagoda (Chùa Vĩnh Tràng):

• Hours: 6am-6pm
• Entry: Free (donation appreciated)
• What: Historic Buddhist temple (1849)
• Features: Mix of Vietnamese, Chinese, Khmer architecture
• Duration: 30-45 minutes
• From town: 3km

Dragon Fruit Farms:

• Hours: 8am-5pm
• Entry: Often included in tours
• What: Dragon fruit cultivation
• Features: Learn about growing, taste fresh fruit
• Duration: 30 minutes
• From town: 10km (on Thoi Son island)

Mekong River Tours:

• Hours: 8am-4pm
• Price: 100k-200k VND (half-day)
• What: Boat tours along Mekong branches
• Features: River life, floating houses, fishing
• Duration: 2-4 hours
• From town: Various piers

Suggested itinerary

Stopover en route to HCMC (recommended):

• Morning: Depart Can Tho (8am)
• 10:30am: Arrive My Tho
• 11am-3pm: Thoi Son island tour (includes lunch)
• 3pm: Depart for HCMC (1.5 hours)
• 4:30pm: Arrive HCMC
• Total: 500k-800k VND (transport + tour)

Day trip from Can Tho (not recommended):

• 7am: Depart Can Tho
• 9:30am: Thoi Son island
• 1pm: Lunch
• 2pm: Return to Can Tho
• 4:30pm: Arrive Can Tho
• Total: 600k-1M VND (long day, similar to Can Tho)

Costs

Transport:

• Bus: 120k-180k VND one way
• Car rental: 1M-1.2M VND/day
• Motorbike: 150k-200k VND/day + fuel

Activities:

• Thoi Son island: 100k VND (includes lunch)
• Vinh Trang pagoda: Free
• Dragon fruit farms: Included in tours
• Mekong river tours: 100k-200k VND

Food:

• Local restaurants: 50k-100k VND/meal
• Included in Thoi Son tour

Is My Tho worth it?

Yes, if:

• Traveling from Can Tho to HCMC (good stopover)
• Want organized Mekong tour (Thoi Son is well-run)
• Have not done Mekong tours elsewhere
• Enjoy cultural shows and structured experiences

No, if:

• Already visited Can Tho floating market and orchards
• Short on time (dedicated day trip from Can Tho)
• Prefer independent exploration (My Tho is tour-focused)
• Expecting authentic local experience (commercialized)

The verdict

My Tho is better as stopover en route from Can Tho to HCMC than dedicated day trip. Thoi Son island offers well-organized Mekong experience (boat tours, orchards, cultural shows) but is more commercialized than Can Tho.

If you already experienced Can Tho floating market and orchards, My Tho adds little. If traveling to HCMC, worth half-day stopover.

Budget 500k-800k VND for stopover (transport + Thoi Son tour).