Ninh Kieu Wharf

Ninh Kieu Wharf is one of Can Tho's best-known landmarks, stretching along the Hau River in the heart of the city. With its riverside promenade, park, boat pier, and views across the river, it is a natural starting point for experiencing Can Tho's urban and river culture.

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Overview

• Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/CnV6339BmwNntxPy8
• Address: Hai Ba Trung Street, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho
• Province: Can Tho
• Category: Riverside Landmark / Urban Park
• Opening Hours: Open throughout the day; some nearby services have separate operating hours
• Entrance Fee: Free
• Visit Duration: 1-2 hours
• Best For: Riverside walks, photography, local life, sunset, nightlife

Pronunciation

Bến Ninh Kiều

Why Visit

• See one of Can Tho's iconic landmarks: Ninh Kieu Wharf has become closely associated with the city's identity and riverside landscape.
• Enjoy the Hau River waterfront: The open river views provide a refreshing contrast to the busy streets of central Can Tho.
• Experience local life: Residents regularly use the waterfront for walking, exercise, meeting friends, and evening recreation.
• Gateway to river experiences: Boat trips from the area can connect visitors with floating markets and other Mekong Delta waterways.
• Easy to combine with other attractions: The wharf is close to the pedestrian street, night market, Can Tho Old Market, Ong Pagoda, and Can Tho Walking Bridge.

Things To Do

Walk Along the Riverside

Take a leisurely walk along the waterfront and watch boats moving along the Hau River. The promenade becomes particularly lively in the late afternoon and evening.

Visit Ninh Kieu Park

The park forms the main public green space around the wharf. Its landscaped paths and gardens provide an easy place to rest while enjoying the river views.

See the Ho Chi Minh Monument

A large bronze statue of President Ho Chi Minh stands prominently within Ninh Kieu Park, facing the river. The statue is one of the best-known visual landmarks of the waterfront.

Take a River Cruise

Boat services operate from the Ninh Kieu area, allowing visitors to experience the Hau River from the water. Evening cruises can combine river scenery with dinner and traditional Southern Vietnamese music.

Explore the Pedestrian Street and Night Market

Hai Ba Trung Street beside the waterfront has become an important pedestrian and entertainment area, with food stalls, shops, performances, and other evening activities. The pedestrian street officially opened in 2022 and stretches for about one kilometre.

Watch the Sunset

The open position beside the river makes Ninh Kieu Wharf a convenient place to watch the changing light over the water. Evening is also when the surrounding streets and waterfront become more active.

History and River Culture

Ninh Kieu Wharf developed from an older riverside landing associated with Can Tho's market and commercial activity. After the French established control over Can Tho in the late 19th century, the riverbank was developed with masonry works and became an important trading and transport point. It was known as Quai de Commerce, or Commercial Wharf, while local residents used names including Ben Hang Duong because of the rows of trees along the riverbank.

In the 1950s, the area was developed as a riverside promenade and park. The name Ninh Kieu was subsequently given to the wharf and park, referencing the historic Battle of Ninh Kieu associated with Le Loi and the Lam Son uprising. The name has remained closely associated with the city ever since.

Today, Ninh Kieu is less a traditional commercial wharf than a public waterfront and tourism hub. The area combines the river, landscaped park, pedestrian spaces, restaurants, markets, and boat services, reflecting the continuing importance of the waterways to Can Tho's identity.

Best Time To Visit

Late afternoon and evening are the most enjoyable times for most visitors. Temperatures are usually more comfortable than during the middle of the day, while the waterfront becomes increasingly lively as residents come out for walks and recreation.

For photography, sunset offers attractive river views, while the illuminated waterfront and surrounding streets create a different atmosphere after dark. An early morning visit is quieter and can also be combined with a boat trip toward Cai Rang Floating Market.

How To Get There

From Central Can Tho

Ninh Kieu Wharf is located in the central part of Can Tho and is easily reached by taxi, motorbike, bicycle, or on foot if you are staying nearby. Hai Ba Trung Street and nearby Ngo Quyen Street provide direct access to the waterfront.

From Can Tho International Airport

The wharf is approximately 11 km from Can Tho International Airport. A taxi or ride-hailing service is the simplest option for most visitors.

By Boat

Ninh Kieu Wharf is also an important departure point for river trips. Visitors can arrange boat excursions to Cai Rang Floating Market and other destinations along the waterways of the Mekong Delta. The official tourism portal lists a pier at the Ninh Kieu Wharf area serving regional boat routes.

Travel Tips

• Visit in the late afternoon if you want to combine sightseeing with sunset and evening activities.
• The waterfront is free to enter, so you can return at different times of day without buying another ticket.
• Be careful when arranging boat trips and confirm the price, duration, route, and inclusions before departure.
• If you plan to visit Cai Rang Floating Market, consider starting from Ninh Kieu Wharf early in the morning.
• The area can become busy in the evening, especially around weekends and public events.
• Combine the wharf with the pedestrian street, night market, Can Tho Old Market, Ong Pagoda, or the Can Tho Walking Bridge.

FAQ

Conclusion

Ninh Kieu Wharf is an easy place to experience the connection between Can Tho and the Mekong's waterways. A walk along the river, especially around sunset and into the evening, provides a simple introduction to the city's atmosphere and riverfront life.

Nearby attractions

(Distances shown are straight-line estimates, not actual travel distance.)

• Cai Rang Floating Market - Can Tho's Iconic River Market (about 6 km southwest)
• Binh Thuy Ancient House - The Famous Filming Location of The Lover (about 6 km northwest)
• Son Islet - Community-Based Tourism in Can Tho (about 8 km northwest)
• My Khanh Tourist Village - A Mekong Delta Experience in Can Tho (about 11 km southwest)
• Nga Bay - The Seven-River Confluence in Can Tho (about 26 km south)
• Mua Xuan Eco - Tourism Area - Forests and Birdlife in Can Tho (about 30 km south)

• Can Tho Travel Guide