Uncovering Can Tho's Rich History: 15+ Unique Historical Sites You Won't Want to Miss!

Cần Thơ, a bustling major city, stands proudly as the unofficial capital of Vietnam's captivating Mekong Delta region. For generations, it has been celebrated for its tranquil riverine beauty and the famously warm, welcoming spirit of its people. More than just picturesque waterways, Cần Thơ is also a rich melting pot of culture and talent. This vibrant heritage is evident in its many famous historical sites, each imbued with profound significance and stories waiting to be discovered.
To date, Can Tho boasts over 352 famous historical sites and scenic spots. Among these, a total of 36 sites are officially ranked, including 14 national-level relics and 22 city-level relics. Join63Stravelto discoverthe unique historical sites in Can Thothat you shouldn't miss when visiting.
Top 15+ Historical Sites in Can Tho That Captivate Travelers
Below is a list of captivating historical sites in Can Tho that attract visitors whenever they have the chance to explore. Take a look and save them for your next trip!
Hoi Linh Co Tu Pagoda
Also known asAncient Spirit Association, is one of Can Tho's historical sites recognized at the national level since June 21, 1993. Initially, the pagoda was built in 1904 using bamboo and leaves, and was named Hoi Long Tu. After renovations in 1914, it was renamed Hoi Linh Co Tu and has since been preserved and maintained through many generations.
Despite being rebuilt with modern materials, the pagoda retains the classical features of Vietnamese architecture. Beyond its religious role, the pagoda holds significant historical importance in the resistance against the French and in protecting revolutionary bases. In 1946, to safeguard revolutionary cadres, Most Venerable Thich Phap Than intentionally burned a part of the main hall.

Hoi Linh Pagoda Can Tho - A National Historical and Cultural Relic
Today, Hoi Linh Pagoda is not only a place of worship but also served as a secret meeting point for important gatherings of the Can Tho Party Committee during clandestine operations. The pagoda's architecture includes structures such as the triple-arched gate (tam quan), the main hall, the rear hall, and the lecture hall. A crescent-shaped fence encircles the pagoda, along with main and auxiliary gates, creating a sacred and solemn atmosphere.
In addition to its architectural structures, the pagoda is notable for its beautiful ornamental plants and 17 ancient statues crafted from precious wood, possessing high artistic value. Other highlights include a crescent-shaped lotus pond behind the main gate and various monuments within the pagoda grounds.
Can Tho's Vườn Mận Base Relic Site
The Vườn Mận Base Relic Site in Can Tho is not only one of the strategic bases used by our military and people during the resistance against the Americans but also a unique historical and cultural site worth exploring. This place, once Mr. Le Van Tieu's plum orchard, later became a crucial base for the General Offensive and Uprising of Tet Mau Than in 1968 in Can Tho.
The Vườn Mận Relic Site is located in Long Tuyen Ward, Binh Thuy District, just about 5.5 km from the city center. Covering nearly 7,000 square meters, this area was once a strategic hub with numerous secret tunnels and combat fortifications built from coconut trunks, planks, and rice husks, all concealed by pink peach plum trees.

Vườn Mận Base Relic Site - A Significant Historical and Cultural Relic in Can Tho
At the heart of the relic site is a simple three-compartment thatched house, which was once crucial for planning surprise attacks on enemy strongholds. Combat fortifications, such as Z-shaped and L-shaped secret tunnels, were built along the plum orchard, forming a robust defensive network along the Vong Cung Road, protecting the city's inner areas.
On May 19, 2011, the Vườn Mận Base historical-cultural relic project officially began construction, featuring various components such as a multi-functional house, a commemorative stele, and a model of the house of heroic Vietnamese mother Ta Thi Phi. This investment aims to preserve and honor the nation's heroic past in the struggle for liberation, while also expressing profound gratitude to those who sacrificed for the homeland.
Pothisomron Pagoda
Pothisomron Templeis an ancient Khmer pagoda, prominently situated on the banks of the O Mon River in Can Tho City. It was recognized as a city-level historical and cultural relic in 2006. Enduring many ups and downs, the pagoda has seen 20 generations of abbots, including notable figures such as Most Venerable Duong Pau, Duong One, Ly Thot, and particularly Most Venerable Thach Khieng, who served from 1950 to 1988.
Initially, the pagoda was built in 1735 using simple materials like leaves and bamboo. By 1856, it was upgraded with precious woods such as ironwood and cà chất, and roofed with fish-scale tiles. Notably, between 1950 and 1952, Most Venerable Thach Khieng traveled to Phnom Penh to obtain new designs from Cambodian architects, ensuring the pagoda retained its traditional features while being completed to its present form.

Pothisomron Pagoda - An Ancient Khmer Pagoda in Can Tho
The pagoda's architecture faces east, with the main hall as its prominent centerpiece. The steps leading up to the main hall feature exquisite Buddha statues, and murals vividly depict the life of the Buddha. The main hall's roof, with its three overlapping tiers and dragons stretching along the eaves, exudes an air of majesty and refined artistry.
Visitors to Pothi Somron Pagoda not only discover its unique architecture but also enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, the shade of ancient trees, and the fragrant sala blossoms. This sacred space, rich in Khmer culture and spirituality, contributes to the special charm of Can Tho tourism.
Hiep Thien Cung Temple Relic
Hiep Thien Cung is a historical site in Can Tho, recognized as a national relic by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on April 14, 2017. After more than 160 years of existence, Hiep Thien Cung still retains its majestic, ancient beauty and distinctive Chinese architecture.

Hiep Thien Cung - A Unique Chinese Temple in Can Tho
Initially, Hiep Thien Cung was a small temple dedicated to Quan Thanh De Quan (Guan Yu) and Thien Hau Thanh Mau (Mazu), built by the Chinese community to pray for family peace, bountiful harvests, and prosperous trade. In 1856, the temple was rebuilt and expanded, taking the name Quan Cong Temple. By 1904, it was renovated and renamed Hiep Thien Cung.
Annually, Hiep Thien Cung hosts many major festivals, including: gatherings of the Chinese community, the Lantern Festival (Nguyen Tieu), New Year's Eve (Giao Thua), and the Vu Lan Festival (Ullambana)... attracting a large number of tourists and the Chinese community to worship.
>> See also: Marvel at 18 Centuries-Old 'Treasures' Within Can Tho's Ancient Pagoda
Thoi An Communal House
Thoi An Templein Can Tho was built in the late 19th - early 20th century, initially with a simple architecture made from natural materials. In 1852, King Tu Duc bestowed a royal decree recognizing Thoi An Communal House as the local Thành Hoàng (City God) temple. Later, the people of Can Tho built a new, more spacious communal house about 1km from the old one, which stands as it is today.

Visit Thoi An Communal House in Can Tho - the oldest communal house in Tay Do land
Thoi An Communal House features a rectangular architecture, facing east, distinguished by its characteristic yellow tones and a spacious, welcoming atmosphere. In front of the communal house, an ancient tree provides shade for visitors.
Thoi An Communal House worships the Thành Hoàng Bổn Cảnh (local tutelary god) and the ancestors who pioneered and established the land, alongside an altar dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh. The communal house also played a crucial role in the resistance against the French, serving as the headquarters for the provisional resistance committee of O Mon District.
Binh Thuy Communal House Relic
The Binh Thuy Communal House Relic, also known as Long Tuyen Ancient Temple, is an ancient and unique communal house, deeply imbued with traditional national culture. The communal house was first built with bamboo leaves in 1844 and was bestowed the title "Bon Canh Thanh Hoang" by King Tu Duc in 1852. Subsequently, the local people joyfully rebuilt the communal house at the mouth of Binh Thuy canal and it has undergone numerous renovations.
Binh Thuy Communal House comprises two areas: the main communal house area and the "luc ap" area. The main communal house area consists of 5 buildings, including the front hall and the main sanctuary, while the "luc ap" area includes a theater and a house for preparing offerings. Inside the communal house, the Bon Canh Thanh Hoang (local tutelary god) and national heroes such as Bui Huu Nghia, Nguyen Trung Truc, and Dinh Cong Trang are worshipped. Outside the communal house, there are two large shrines dedicated to the Tiger God and the Agriculture God, and near the gate are two shrines for the Forest God and the Water Canal Opening God.
Annually, Binh Thuy Communal House hosts two major festivals: the Ky Yen Thuong Dien ceremony from the 12th to the 14th day of the 4th lunar month, and the Ha Dien ceremony on the 14th-15th day of the 12th lunar month. These are occasions to worship the Bon Canh Thanh Hoang, pray for peace, and invite the deity to bestow blessings. The festivals are lively, featuring not only rituals to honor the gods but also classical opera (hat boi), excerpts from traditional plays, folk games, and an artistic fruit tray arrangement competition. The Binh Thuy Communal House festival is one of the largest communal house festivals in the Mekong Delta, attracting a large number of participants and visitors from all over.
Binh Thuy Communal House was recognized as a national historical relic on September 5, 1989, serving as a special cultural heritage in the spiritual life of the local people. Despite undergoing several reconstructions in the 20th century, the communal house has retained its distinctive original architectural features.
Co Do An Nam Communist Party Relic Site
The site where the An Nam Communist Party was founded was recognized as a national historical relic by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam on October 31, 2013. The cell of theAn Nam Communist Party Red Flag relic siteplayed a significant role in propagating and mobilizing the revolution among a large number of farmers, guiding them to fight for their rights and selecting active individuals to join revolutionary organizations.

Visit Co Do to see the founding place of Can Tho City's first Party Cell
To preserve and promote this historical value, Can Tho City invested in building the historical relic site of the Founding Place of the Co Do An Nam Communist Party Cell, which was completed and put into use in 2019, right on the former plantation grounds.
Binh Thuy Ancient House
Binh Thuy Ancient House is a prominent architectural and artistic relic, belonging to the Duong family ancestral house. It was built by Mr. Duong Van Vi in 1870 using wood and tiled roofs in a French architectural style for ancestor worship. The current house was rebuilt and renovated in 1911. Having survived two wars, the Duong family ancestral house remains intact, making it a rare ancient house still standing in Binh Thuy.
A special feature of the house is its harmonious blend of Eastern and Western architectural styles, preserving the national spirit while possessing a unique character. It exemplifies the transitional architecture of the late 19th and early 20th centuries favored by wealthy residents in the Mekong Delta and Can Tho. Locals often refer to the house as Binh Thuy Orchid Garden or Orchid Garden Ancient House, because the fifth-generation descendant, Mr. Duong Van Ngon, was fond of ornamental plants and collected many rare orchid varieties.
Binh Thuy Ancient House Can Tho - The Most Famous Tourist Attraction in Tay Do Land
The house is divided into many sections, with a meticulously arranged rock garden in the front yard. To the right is an orchid garden, and to the left stands an 8-meter-tall columnar cactus, approximately 40 years old, alongside a small room displaying self-painted artworks. Behind the house is a fruit orchard, and the interior is decorated in a distinctive Southern Vietnamese style, yet infused with luxury through exquisite French furnishings and intricate carvings.
The solemn worship area features altars, vermilion and gold-gilded shrines, altar beds, tea cabinets, and long benches, all inlaid with mother-of-pearl. This place attracts many tourists, especially international visitors and film crews.
Vong Cung Road
The site for troop transfers, military medical stations, and weapon caches alongHighway Arcin Can Tho was recognized as a national historical relic by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on February 7, 2013. This location holds significant importance in both the resistance wars against French colonialists and American imperialists.

Vong Cung Road - A Testament to the Heroic Era of Can Tho's Military and People
This place marks the sacrifices of many compatriots and comrades during wartime, especially during the Tet Mau Than General Offensive and Uprising in 1968 and the Ho Chi Minh Campaign in 1975. This site played a crucial role in the historic victory of April 30, 1975, when the South was completely liberated and the country unified.
Nam Nha Pagoda
Nam Nha Pagodais a national historical relic, recognized on January 25, 1991. With its unique design, the pagoda is closely linked to the nation's glorious history and the patriotic movements of Vietnamese scholars.
Nam Nha Pagoda was built in 1895, originally known as Nam Nha Duong, a traditional Chinese medicine shop. The pagoda served as a place of worship and the main headquarters for the Dong Du movement, initiated by Phan Boi Chau from 1907 to 1940. During the resistance against the French, the pagoda nurtured and produced many patriotic scholars and served as a liaison point between revolutionary organizations in the South.

Nam Nha Pagoda - A Century-Old Pagoda in Can Tho
This was a contact point for patriots in the anti-French movement and for the Hau Giang An Nam Communist Party Special Committee. The pagoda was also a frequent haunt of Mr. Phan Boi Chau, who used it to build, propagate, and raise funds for the Dong Du movement.
Nam Nha Pagoda is situated within a spacious, airy compound with numerous pine trees, cypress trees, and ancient trees, extending all the way to the banks of the Binh Thuy River. The pagoda gate is distinctive with two parallel couplets, the first characters being "Nam" and "Nha". On the right is "Nam dia do nguyen nhan, bat nha cam thinh thong giac lo" (Southern land saves the original people, the sound of prajna zither opens the path to enlightenment), and on the left is "Nha dinh chieu thien khach, bo de thu anh cai thien mon" (Elegant pavilion welcomes good guests, Bodhi tree's shade covers the Zen gate). These verses both teach morality and life lessons, inspiring patriotism and national solidarity.
The pagoda courtyard is paved with traditional tiles, and the main hall is a sturdy brick building with five compartments. Behind the main hall is a long corridor with two reception rooms. On either side of the pagoda are two tiled-roof buildings called Dong Lan Duong (Can Dao Duong) for men and Tay Lan Duong (Khon Dao Duong) for women, connected to the kitchen. Situated by the poetic Binh Thuy River mouth, the pagoda also preserves many century-old worship artifacts and a very valuable set of woodblock scriptures.
Duong Family Ancestral House
In 2009, the Duong Family Ancestral House in Can Tho was officially recognized as a national historical relic by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam. The house was built with a blend of Eastern and Western architecture, featuring a European-style living room, while the worship room retains a strong traditional Vietnamese style and ancient Southern Vietnamese interior design.
The Duong Family Ancestral House is home to many valuable artifacts from China, France, and Vietnam. Despite enduring two wars and numerous historical upheavals, the ancient Binh Thuy ancestral house remains almost entirely intact as it was originally.
Thanh Hoa Communal House Relic
Thanh Hoa Communal House was recognized as a national historical relic on November 9, 2020, by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. While featuring a purely Vietnamese architectural style, the communal house also bears strong cultural influences from the Chinese community.
Initially, the communal house was built with bamboo and leaves when Thanh Hoa Trung village was first established. Later, due to an unfavorable geographical location, the communal house was moved to a new site about 1km away from its original spot.
After several name changes, by 2006, the communal house was uniformly called Thanh Hoa. Annually, Thanh Hoa Communal House hosts two major festivals: the Ha Dien ceremony (from the 19th to the 21st day of the 4th lunar month) and the Thuong Dien ceremony (from the 19th to the 20th day of the lunar month), attracting a large number of locals who participate to pray for bountiful harvests and family peace.
Can Tho Grand Prison
Can Tho Grand Examination- one of Can Tho's special historical relics, recognized as a national historical site on June 28, 1996. Built between 1878 and 1886, Kham Lon was considered the largest prison in the Southwestern region, where patriotic prisoners were detained and tortured during the French colonial and American imperialist periods.
With its sturdy structure, walls 3.6 to 5 meters thick, and sharp barbed wire fences, Kham Lon was a site of many brutal tortures, aimed at imposing colonial rule on the Vietnamese people. This included cutting food rations, providing moldy rice to prisoners, and other cruel forms of torture designed to break their spirit and extract confessions by any means.

Kham Lon Can Tho Historical Relic - The Largest Prison in the Mekong Delta
Despite enduring many historical upheavals, Kham Lon still retains its original architectural features and preserves various torture methods, valuable documents, and photographs that record the nation's struggles. This is not just a tourist destination but also a painful memory of the past, a testament to the courageous sacrifices of revolutionary soldiers.
Visiting Kham Lon, tourists will hear historical stories and gain a profound understanding of the Vietnamese people's suffering during their struggle for independence and freedom. The heroic sacrifices made have paved the way for the peace and progress the country enjoys today.
Bui Huu Nghia First-Ranked Scholar Memorial Area
Bui Huu Nghia Valedictorian Memorial Areais one of Can Tho's important historical relics, recognized as a national historical site since 1993. First-Ranked Scholar Bui Huu Nghia, born in 1807 and passed away in 1872, was a top scholar (Thu Khoa Giai Nguyen) and served as a district chief before retiring to practice traditional medicine. He was known for his integrity, honesty, and significant contributions to the poor community in this locality.
His tomb, built in 1872 with laterite stone, serves as a memorial to him as a revered sage of the nation, inspiring deep respect and admiration in all who learn of his merits.

Bui Huu Nghia First-Ranked Scholar Memorial Area - Can Tho
The Bui Huu Nghia First-Ranked Scholar Memorial Area was inaugurated on March 1, 2013, on the occasion of his 141st death anniversary. The main entrance gate to the memorial is built in the style of a triple-arched gate with curved roofs, elegant and refined. Inside is a spacious, lush garden compound with a lotus pond and various structures such as a stele house, a temple, a guesthouse, and an exhibition house.
Behind these structures lies the tomb of Mr. Bui Huu Nghia and his wife, which was renovated from the original tomb, still retaining its classical architectural beauty. Inside the tomb, there is an underground passage and many steles engraved with his poetic works.
Every year on the 21st day of the first lunar month, the death anniversary ceremony of First-Ranked Scholar Bui Huu Nghia attracts a large number of people who come to offer incense, commemorate, and praise his great contributions. It is an occasion for the community to preserve and pass on these precious historical and cultural values.
Hau Giang An Nam Communist Party Special Committee Office
SPECIAL SECURITY COMMISSIONER OF THE SOUTH COMMUNIST PARTY HAU GIANGwas recognized as a national historical relic on January 25, 1991. This agency was established in September 1929 in Hau Giang amidst a tense political climate. The founding meeting of the An Nam Communist Party Special Committee was chaired by Comrade Chau Van Liem, and included comrades such as Ung Van Khiem (Secretary), Ha Huy Giap, Nguyen Van Tay, Nguyen Van Tri, etc. This agency holds historical significance, laying the foundation for the establishment and development of the Party Committee and the revolutionary movement of 1930–1931.

Hau Giang An Nam Communist Party Special Committee Office
The Hau Giang Special Committee actively operated during the resistance against the French. Located in a row of 6 townhouses, the architecture of this office was simple and unremarkable. In 1995, the People's Committee of Can Tho City, along with the residents of Binh Thuy Ward, constructed a commemorative stele for the Hau Giang An Nam Communist Party Special Committee. Today, although the architecture remains unchanged and the house no longer holds any artifacts, it continues to be a landmark closely associated with the revolutionary history of Can Tho.
Poet Phan Van Tri Tomb Relic
TOMB OF POET PHAN VAN TRIwas recognized as a national historical relic in 1991. Born in 1830 and passing away in 1910, Phan Van Tri was a renowned poet famous for using poetry as a weapon in the struggle. Initially, his tomb area was a simple cement structure, situated amidst a green lawn with a single tombstone.

Poet Phan Van Tri Tomb Historical Relic - Can Tho
In 1990, thanks to the respectful contributions of the community, the poet's tomb area was renovated with polished stone, and the tomb itself was elevated to a three-tiered structure with an epitaph carved into the polished stone. Notably, in 2005, the Phong Dien District People's Committee continued to invest funds to renovate the relic on a larger scale, reaffirming the historical and cultural value of poet Phan Van Tri's tomb area.
>> Learn more: Explore Vĩnh Long's Architectural Wonders: A List of 10+ Must-Visit Historical Sites
Long Quang Pagoda
Also known as Long Quang Co Tu, it is one of Can Tho's famous historical relics, recognized as a national historical site on June 21, 1993, for its distinctive architecture and art. The pagoda was founded in 1825 by Buddhist monk Vo Van Quyen, initially as a small hermitage. After numerous repairs and renovations, in 1966, the pagoda was rebuilt and named Long Quang Co Tu, as it is known today.
Long Quang Pagoda played a significant role in the resistance against the French, serving as a secret sanctuary and operational base for revolutionaries in 1945. The pagoda also made substantial contributions by dismantling its assets and donating bronze worship items, including an ancient great bell, to cast bullet casings.
Long Quang Pagoda's architecture is very distinctive, featuring a brick triple-arched gate (tam quan) and a two-tiered tiled roof with two white dragons raising their heads, facing a Dharma wheel at the top. The pagoda's main hall is built in the "Upper Floor, Lower Veranda" architectural style, housing numerous majestic Buddha statues and deities. Notably, the pagoda possesses many Arhat statues and precious wood carvings, all well-preserved and of high artistic and religious value.
Long Quang Pagoda is not only a religious site but also one of the important historical and cultural symbols of Can Tho, attracting many tourists and devotees who come to visit and learn about this relic.
Ong Pagoda Relic
Ong Pagoda, also known as Quang Trieu Assembly Hall, is a prominent historical relic of Can Tho, recognized as a national historical site on June 21, 1993. The pagoda originated from the Cantonese Chinese community who migrated to Vietnam in the 17th and 18th centuries. Today, the pagoda still retains its ancient appearance after more than 120 years since its construction in 1894, featuring splendid Quốc-character architecture and a unique skylight.

Discover the Unique Ong Pagoda Festival of the Chinese Community in Can Tho
Ong Pagoda not only holds value in its architectural art but also secretly sheltered revolutionary activities before 1975. Annually, Ong Pagoda hosts traditional festivals such as the birthday of Quan Thanh De Quan (24th day of the 6th lunar month), the birthday of Thien Hau (23rd day of the 3rd lunar month), and the death anniversary of Ong Bon (15th day of the 3rd lunar month), attracting a large number of locals and tourists who come to participate and learn about the spiritual culture of the Chinese community in Can Tho.
Above is a summary of15+ famous historical sites in Can Thothat many tourists visit when they have the opportunity. We hope everyone will have a truly meaningful trip when visiting Can Tho in the Mekong Delta.
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Update day : 22/06/2024
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