Can Tho's Must-Try Specialties: Savor Them on Your Trip and Find Perfect Souvenirs!

Don't miss out on trying Can Tho's signature dishes! These local specialties are a must-try during your trip, allowing you to fully savor the authentic flavors of the Mekong Delta. And while you're at it, they also make perfect, meaningful gifts to bring back home for family and friends.
Can Tho is not only famous for its vast rivers and waterways but also a culinary paradise with many unique and delicious dishes. TheseCan Tho specialtiesyou absolutely must try when visiting and buy as gifts will surely offer an unforgettable culinary experience, and make wonderful presents for family and friends. In this article,Travelviet.netwill introduce you to Can Tho's specialties to savor and take home as gifts.
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Can Tho Specialties You Must Try When Visiting and Buy as Gifts
When you visit Can Tho, don't miss the chance to explore these must-try specialties and souvenirs. You'll get to savor the delicious flavors of the Mekong Delta and bring back meaningful gifts for your loved ones.
Fermented Fish Hotpot (Lẩu Mắm)
If you ever set foot in the Mekong Delta, you'll find it hard to forget the rich, intense flavor of this famous Can Tho specialty – Lẩu Mắm (Fermented Fish Hotpot). The broth is made from long-fermented linh fish or snakehead fish paste, creating a savory taste with a natural, subtle sweetness.

Shrimp, fish, squid, crab, and octopus, combined with dozens of rustic garden vegetables, create a symphony of colors and flavors. This isn't just a dish; it's a cultural symbol, embodying the distinctive riverine spirit of the Mekong Delta people.
Hu Tieu Pizza
This Can Tho specialty is a unique fusion of tradition and modernity, making it a must-try for any diner. Golden-fried hu tieu noodles form a crispy, sturdy base, topped with fragrant braised pork, fresh herbs, and crunchy peanuts.

Each bite is a symphony of flavors, blending sweet, rich, crispy, and fresh notes. This creativity and unique preparation have made Hu Tieu Pizza famous throughout the Mekong Delta, drawing visitors from afar to savor it.
Linh Fish Hotpot with Sesbania Flower (Lẩu Cá Linh Bông Điên Điển)
On the list of Can Tho specialties you must try when traveling, Linh Fish Hotpot with Sesbania Flower truly captures the soul of the Mekong Delta's waterways. Tender young linh fish combined with lightly crispy sesbania flowers and a hint of sourness create a rustic yet incredibly appealing hotpot.

Instead of common vegetables, the hotpot is adorned with a rustic 'flower forest' of water lilies, water hyacinths, and hummingbird tree flowers. Enjoyed with fresh vermicelli or white rice, dipped in fish sauce with fresh chili, you'll fully experience the essence of this riverine region.
Tube Cake (Bánh Ống)
Bánh Ống (Tube Cake) is one of Can Tho's specialties you absolutely must try when visiting the Mekong Delta. The cake is wrapped in small tubes and steamed for about 5 minutes, preserving the soft, chewy texture and flavor of the rice flour.
The gentle aroma of pandan leaves and the rich creaminess of coconut milk create a dish that is both sweet and refreshing. Enjoyed with shredded coconut and sesame salt, you'll fully appreciate the delicate and rustic charm characteristic of Mekong Delta cuisine.
Bánh Cống (Fried Shrimp and Mung Bean Cake)
As evening approaches, street vendors in Can Tho light up their stalls, frying Bánh Cống and releasing an enticing aroma that draws in passersby. These cakes are made from rice flour and mung beans, topped with a vibrant red shrimp, and fried until golden and crispy. When enjoyed with sweet and sour fish sauce and fresh green herbs, the flavors become even more complete.

Grilled Snakehead Fish (Cá Lóc Đồng Nướng Trui)
Cá Lóc Đồng Nướng Trui (Grilled Snakehead Fish) is one of Can Tho's most famous specialties. The whole fish is traditionally grilled over straw, releasing a distinctive aroma and preserving its natural sweetness. When eaten, wrap the fish with rice paper, fresh herbs, lotus leaves, and star fruit, then dip it in garlic-chili fish sauce to fully experience the flavors of the Mekong Delta. This rustic dish is incredibly captivating and unforgettable for anyone who tastes it.

Thac Lac Fish Paste (Chả Cá Thác Lác)
Chả Cá Thác Lác (Thac Lac Fish Paste) is a Can Tho specialty with a distinctive flavor from the riverine region. Fresh, delicious thac lac fish is prepared into steamed or fried patties, retaining its natural sweetness and chewiness. A hint of mild spicy pepper makes the dish even more appealing, making it hard for diners to stop eating.
Grilled Banana with Sticky Rice (Chuối Nếp Nướng)
Chuối Nếp Nướng (Grilled Banana with Sticky Rice) is a simple yet incredibly enticing Can Tho specialty. Ripe bananas are wrapped in a layer of soft sticky rice and grilled over hot coals until fragrant and crispy at the edges. Drizzled with rich coconut milk, the sweet and delicate flavor of the banana blends perfectly, creating an unforgettable experience.

Crispy Rice with Braised Pork and Shrimp Dip (Cơm Cháy Kho Quẹt)
Cơm Cháy Kho Quẹt (Crispy Rice with Braised Pork and Shrimp Dip) is a Can Tho specialty that captivates many diners. Crispy scorched rice is paired with a rich, savory dip made from pork belly, crispy pork cracklings, and fragrant chili pepper. Dip the rice into the kho quẹt and enjoy it with boiled vegetables to fully savor the taste of the countryside. This rustic dish is incredibly addictive for anyone who tries it.

Bánh Đúc (Rice Flour Cake)
Bánh Đúc (Rice Flour Cake) is one of Can Tho's specialties that evokes childhood memories for many. The savory version is served with stir-fried shrimp and pork, drizzled with rich coconut milk, while the sweet version is subtly sweet with a vibrant green pandan leaf color. This soft, smooth, and fragrant dish easily makes diners 'addicted' from the first bite. It's a simple countryside treat that perfectly captures the flavors of the riverine region.
Coconut Heart Pancake (Bánh Xèo Củ Hủ Dừa)
Bánh Xèo Củ Hủ Dừa (Coconut Heart Pancake) is a unique Can Tho specialty found only in the Mekong Delta. Crispy coconut heart is stir-fried with mung beans, fresh shrimp, minced pork, and bean sprouts, then wrapped in a thin, golden, crispy pancake shell. The rich, fatty, and subtly sweet flavors blend together to create an unforgettable taste.

Grilled Snails with Green Peppercorns (Ốc Nướng Tiêu Xanh)
Ốc Nướng Tiêu Xanh (Grilled Snails with Green Peppercorns) is a highly popular Can Tho specialty, especially among young people. River snails are thoroughly cleaned, marinated with green peppercorns, lemongrass, and garlic, then grilled over hot coals. When enjoyed, the broth inside the snails bubbles, the meat is fragrant and sweet, and dipping it in salt, pepper, and lime sauce awakens the taste buds.
Cai Rang Grilled Pork Skewers (Nem Nướng Cái Răng)
Nem Nướng Cái Răng (Cai Rang Grilled Pork Skewers) is a famous Can Tho specialty dating back to the 1950s. These skewers are light, crispy, chewy, with a subtle sourness and delicate sweetness, making them perfect for enjoying or buying as gifts. You can find delicious nem at Cai Rang Floating Market or renowned local producers. The distinctive flavor of Cai Rang nem is unforgettable for any diner.

Silkworm Noodle Salad with Shredded Pork Skin (Bánh Tằm Bì)
Bánh Tằm Bì (Silkworm Noodle Salad with Shredded Pork Skin) is a Can Tho specialty that leaves a lasting impression on many visitors. Soft, hot silkworm noodles are mixed with thinly shredded pork skin, roasted rice powder, and distinctive spices. When eaten, combined with fish sauce, coconut milk, pickled vegetables, or pennywort, the flavor is both rich and refreshing, truly embodying the Mekong Delta.
Sau Plum Wine (Rượu Mận Sáu)
Rượu Mận Sáu (Sau Plum Wine) is a unique Can Tho specialty to buy as a gift. Hồng Đào Đá or An Phước plums are naturally soaked and fully fermented without preservatives. The wine has a mild, easy-to-drink flavor and is beneficial for health when consumed properly. The eye-catching plum-shaped bottle also makes for an elegant and meaningful gift choice.

Can Tho Fruit Specialties
Can Tho is a paradise of delicious fresh fruit specialties. Plums, mangoes, durians, rambutans, jackfruits, and more are grown to safety standards, yielding sweet and juicy fruits. Visitors can pick them directly from orchards or buy them at markets like Xuân Khánh, An Lạc, and Tân An as gifts. Each type of fruit offers a fresh, distinctive flavor of the Mekong Delta's riverine region.
Dried Gourami Fish (Khô Cá Sặc)
Khô Cá Sặc (Dried Gourami Fish) is one of Can Tho's famous specialties to buy as a gift. Fresh gourami fish is carefully selected and sun-dried just enough to preserve its natural sweetness. This dried fish is delicious in salads or served with rice. It's a gift that carries the distinctive flavor of the Mekong Delta, one that any visitor would want to try.

Dried Snakehead Fish (Khô Cá Lóc)
Khô Cá Lóc (Dried Snakehead Fish) is a delicious and famous Can Tho specialty. Wild snakehead fish is salted and naturally sun-dried, retaining its characteristic sweetness and chewiness. When eaten, you can grill it, shred it for a salad, or braise it – all are very appealing. This is an ideal gift to bring the flavors of the riverine region home.
Purple Sticky Rice Cake (Bánh Tét Lá Cẩm)
Bánh Tét Lá Cẩm (Purple Sticky Rice Cake) is a beautiful and colorful Can Tho specialty. Chewy sticky rice, mung beans, and fatty pork combine with the purple yam leaf extract to create a naturally rich and sweet flavor. The cake is carefully wrapped, easy to store, and convenient to buy as a gift. Just one bite, and you'll fully experience the traditional flavors of the Mekong Delta.

Tứ Xuyên Fiddler Crab (Ba Khía Tứ Xuyên)
Ba Khía Tứ Xuyên (Tứ Xuyên Fiddler Crab) is a Can Tho specialty with an unforgettable flavor. Its firm, fragrant meat can be prepared in various ways, such as boiled or stir-fried with tamarind, all of which are rich and appealing. This rustic dish is highly characteristic of Mekong Delta cuisine. Buying some portions of ba khía as gifts will surely delight the recipients.
Pia Cake (Bánh Pía)
Bánh Pía (Pia Cake) is a famous Can Tho specialty, especially those with durian and salted egg fillings. Its flaky crust and fragrant, rich, and subtly sweet filling captivate anyone who tries it. Pia cakes are small, easy to buy, and convenient to bring home as gifts for family and friends. This is a perfect choice to savor and preserve the flavors of the Mekong Delta.

Husband and Wife Cake (Bánh Phu Thê)
Bánh Phu Thê (Husband and Wife Cake) is a Can Tho specialty associated with festivals and weddings. The cake has a vibrant green leaf wrapper on the outside and a rich filling inside, offering a subtly fragrant and creamy flavor. This dish is both delicious and visually appealing, making it an easy choice for a gift. It's a thoughtful option that shows care when given to loved ones.

Can Tho Specialty Candies and Cakes
Specialty candies and cakes are popular gifts from Can Tho. Varieties like Bánh Gai (Thorn Leaf Cake), Bánh Mè (Sesame Cake), Bánh Quế (Cinnamon Wafers), and Bánh Kẹp (Coconut Wafers) are all handmade, ensuring quality and flavor. These treats are delicious and easy to store, suitable for gifting or enjoying at home. They are an ideal choice for both children and adults visiting Can Tho.
Handicrafts and Fine Arts
Handicrafts and fine arts are both exquisite and unique specialties from Can Tho. Items like khăn rằn (checkered scarves), áo bà ba (traditional Mekong Delta attire), lacquerware, and souvenirs are skillfully crafted, embodying the distinctive culture of the Mekong Delta. You can buy them as gifts for family and friends to cherish memories of your trip. These gifts are meaningful, elegant, and reflect the thoughtfulness of the giver.

With the suggested list above, we hope you've chosen some of theCan Tho specialtiesyou must try when traveling and buy as gifts that you like. We wish you delightful culinary experiences, a full enjoyment of the Mekong Delta's flavors, and unique gifts to bring home for family and friends.
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Update day : 11/09/2025
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