Can Tho

Can Tho, with an estimated population of 1,121,000 (2004), is the biggest city in the Mekong Delta. The city is located on the south bank of Hau Giang, the bigger branch of Mekong river. It is approximately 160 kilometres from Ho Chi Minh City, the biggest city of Vietnam. Can Tho’s climate is tropical and monsoonal with two seasons: rainy (May to November) and dry (December to April). Average annual humidity is 83 percent, rainfall 1,635 mm, and temperature 27°C.

Administratively, Can Tho city constitutes an independent municipality at the same level as Vietnam's provinces. It was created in the beginning of 2004 by a split of the former Can Tho province into two new administrative units: Can Tho city and Hau Giang Province. It is divided into eight districts: Ninh Kieu, Binh Thuy, Cai Rang, O Mon, Phong Dien, Co Do, Vinh Thanh, and Thot Not. It borders the provinces of An Giang, Hau Giang, Kien Giang, Vinh Long, and Dong Thap.

Mekong delta is considered to be the ‘rice basket’ of Vietnam, contributing more than 50% of the nation’s rice production. The city is famous with its ‘green tours’ to the rural area. Guests can enjoy local specialities such as pomelo, longan, jackfruit, mango, mandarin, or durian.

Academic institutions in the city are Cantho University, with its well-known College of Agriculture, and Cuulong Delta Rice Research Institute.

After 120 years of development, the city now is the delta’s most important centre of economics, culture, science and technology. It has an airport, a big fresh water port, two industrial parks. With its good infrastructure, the city is calling for and expecting larger foreign investment.

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