Planning a holiday to Ca Mau? Discover top reasons to go, best time to visit, tours and free itineraries, history and hidden gems with the official guide! Find out what to do, where to go, where to stay and what to eat in Ca Mau from the local travel experts who know it best. If you’re not able to visit just yet, plan ahead to make the most of your wish-lists.
By Thomas Vietnam at vemekong.com | Official Visitor Guide To Can Tho | Chau Doc | Soc Trang | Ben Tre | Cai Be | Vinh Long | My Tho | Tra Vinh | Sa Dec | Bac Lieu | Ca Mau | Hau Giang
Welcome to Ca Mau
Ca Mau Vietnam – Swamps, rivers, mangrove forests, houses on stilts and small canals, hidden villages, birding paradise and The South pole of Vietnam. The town of Ca Mau is situated far away from any travel itinerary in the Mekong Delta and in the south of the country, which is why international tourists are still very rare. So far, the city is visited by more Vietnamese travelers. Ca Mau is located 370 km from Ho Chi Minh City, 180 km south of Can Tho. It is the last province of the S-shaped strip of Vietnam, with a narrow width with 3 sides bordering the sea. The East borders the East Sea, the West and the South borders on the Gulf of Thailand. This is also the reason why Ca Mau is the province with the longest coastline with nearly 254 km.
Top Reasons to Go
Conquering the South Pole of Viet Nam
With a hobby of conquering the East, West, South, and North landmarks of the country, the Southernmost point of Ca Mau Cape (Dat Mui Ca Mau) is the last milestone you can conquer in your journey to discover the Southwest region of Vietnam.
Look like a former Mekong Delta
For mentioning Ca Mau, Vietnamese people know right away that this is a swampy land, popular for its water channels, vast green and the forests of U Minh forest. They have more idyllic landscapes than ever! A special attraction are the many original creeks that meander wildly through the countryside – there are mighty river arms, several hundred meters wide, that roam through the green province. The way the whole delta looked before the many canals were drawn. The coasts are fringed by extensive mangrove forests.
Birding in Mekong delta
There are many bird sanctuaries in Ca Mau where there are different kinds of birds and wild tropical species for the nature lover to visit and study.
Non-touristy
This city is not familiar to intl tourists yet.
Getting here and around
Nowadays Ca Mau is getting easier for everyone to get there and get around. It also means that traveling to the town won’t take much sweat, especially when you get here by public bus, car via the highway. We will break this down in detail, so check the information below to choose your best vehicle option.
Air travel: Currently, there is a direct flight from HCMC to Ca Mau. Travelers will take a flight to Ca Mau and arrive at Ca Mau Airport, around 10km away from the city center, taking 20 to 30 minutes to commute. One can hail a motorbike or a taxi at the terminal gate for VMD60,000/ride and VND150,000/ride, respectively. There are other airports nearby Ca Mau like: Rach Gia domestic airport, Tra Noc intl (Can Tho) airport and Phu Quoc intl airport.
Bus travel: From Ho Chi Minh city to Ca Mau. The best bus company for getting from Saigon to Ca Mau is the Futa Bus Lines company. You can catch a bus from the Western bus station (address: 395 Kinh Duong Vuong, An Lac Ward, Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh City) with the time to travel to Ca Mau is 8 hours (302km), to buy tickets or contact system of specialized vehicles running Saigon – Ca Mau route such as: Phuong Trang (futa bus lines), add in Saigon: 272 De Tham, District 1. Tel for booking ticket: 19006067. Once you’ve arrived at the Ca Mau Bus Station, take a taxi to your Ca Mau accommodation. Or, if taking the Futa bus line, take the complimentary transportation van which goes to certain areas in 10 km distance. For your return trip, you can pre-book your tickets or have your accommodation help reserve the tickets for you.
Bus travel: From Can Tho to Ca Mau. Take the public bus as Futa bus line. Super easy to have a ticket. These buses are great and new and AC and depart from Can Tho to Ca Mau, 143km about 4 hours. On the way, you can tell the driver to drop you off in Hau Giang, Soc Trang or Bac Lieu if you do not go straight to Ca Mau City.
Boat travel: Not a public boat yet.
Speed Boat travel: From HCMC to Ca Mau. Not yet
Speed Boat travel: From Can Tho to Ca Mau. Not yet
Cruises: Not yet.
Train travel: Not yet.
Bicycle and motorcycle travel: While it’s possible to rent a motorbike to explore the Ca Mau city, most visitors choose to utilize the free bicycles offered by most resorts and homestays. The roads are bumpy and occasionally muddy but the distances are relatively short. You’ll notice that many of the locals opt to travel by bike as well so you’ll be in good company. From HCMC you can find “Thanh Lam motorbike rental shop: Address at No.17C Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, contact: 0902 840 361” or “Style Motorbikes motorbike rental shop: Address at No.42/24 Tran Dinh Xu Street, Co Giang Ward, District 1, contact: 0915.139.796” and “Dragon Bikes motorbike rental shop: Address at No.182/5A De Tham Street, Cau Ong Lanh Ward, District 1, contact: 0909 283 280.
Ferry travel:
Best time to Visit Ca Mau
Ca Mau welcomes you in any season all year round, each of which will certainly offer you specifically different types of pleasure and satisfaction. However, the best time to visit Ca Mau is in the dry season, from November to April, because the landscape and ecosystem are quite distinctive.
Floating season (September – December): It is the best time to visit Ca Mau and the Mekong Delta region in general.
Rainy season (May – October): It is not a bad choice when traveling to Ca Mau during rainy seasons since the rains are short and will not affect your trip. May is also a great time for birding in Ca Mau bird sanctuaries, U Minh Ha National Park & Forest and many other places…
Dry season (January – April): If you plan to travel to Ca Mau in the dry season, the sun can rise to 37-38oC, dry weather, canals begin to dry up, dry fields. Ca Mau tourism at this point you will be participating in exciting activities such as bee eating, catching rats (clean ones from the fields), slap fishing…
Ca Mau Tourist Attractions
Ca Mau City Bird Garden
The City Bird Garden is situated inside the Cultural Park, also known as Lam Vien May 19th Park, in Ca Mau City. Only 2km away to the West of the center of the city, this garden is the place where many precious types of bird reside and gather every year. The Cultural Park covers a total area of 18.2 ha including amusement parks, monuments, botanical gardens, stilt houses, Ho Chi Minh pond, etc. Besides, there are also many typical tropical species raised in this park such as crocodile, monkey, snake, lizard, python, etc. However, the bird garden is the most popular spot of the whole park. This is actually a 2-ha forest where thousands of birds, storks, etc. gather every afternoon. Recently, there are also other types of bird such as teal, swan, etc. choosing to reside and procreate in this area. For the last couple of years, the garden has been newly expanded to an area of 6ha circled by fences. At the moment, as a separate ecological site, the City Bird Garden has a harmonious beauty made of natural ponds, forests, flower bushes and the most valuable birds in Southeast Asia… Read more info & pictures
Ca Mau Cape – The South Pole of Vietnam
This voyage to the end of the earth may not quite be a Jules Verne epic, but it’s a fun and satisfying way to pass a day, as you get to visit not only the southernmost point of Vietnam but also the end of mainland Southeast Asia. The Cape of Ca Mau belongs to Ngoc Hien District in Ca Mau Province. It is located only 118km away from the center of Ca Mau City. This is a unique spot of Vietnam Tourism not only because of its southernmost location, but also because of the fact that it is the only place in Vietnam where one can see the sun rising in the East and setting in the West. The cape was discovered at the end of the 17th century. You can take a photo of yourself standing beside a boat-shaped monument marking the latitude (8 degrees north) and longitude (104 degrees east) of this remote location, then gaze out over the endless ocean and the mountainous Khoai Island just off the coast. There’s even a lookout tower from where you can get good views over the mangrove forests, and a restaurant on stilts over the water – the hammocks are a nice touch… Read more info & pictures
Hon Khoai Island
Only 14.6 km away to the southwest of Nam Can Town, the Hon Khoai Island is located in Ngoc Hien District of Ca Mau Province. This is a stone island on which the hills and the forest still remain untouched with many specious types of wood, animal, and plants, as well as a mesmerizing artless wilderness. Three enjoyable hours on the 90CV cruise from RachGoc (the gate to the East Sea of Ngoc Hien District) will take you to the spectacular Hon Khoai Island, one of the most beautiful islands in the Southernmost region of the country. You should not confuse Hon Khoai Island with the Hon Khoai archipelago, which is a group of 5 spectacular islands. The Hon Khoai Island is the biggest and also the highest island surrounded by the other four. Setting foot on Hon Khoai Island enables all tourists to enjoy the poetically beautiful seashores that are full of white egg-shaped cobbles. Tourists can also challenge their bravery by climbing up the mountains or discovering the tropical jungle. However, no matter what they do, the rare and priceless scenery of primitive forest with more than 1000 types of plants and hundreds species of wild animals will surely leave them speechless from time to time. Nowadays, on the highest peak of Hon Khoai Island still stands a beautiful lighthouse built by the French at the end of the 19th century. This is the place where a revered teacher named Pham Ngoc Hien led a group of prisoners to success over the French leader of the island, which resulted in their ownership of the lighthouse. This is a wondrous exploit that always appears in the local tales today. From this lighthouse, visitors can use the telescopes to look closely at one of the 5 surrounding islands called Hon DoiMoi, which resembles a tortoise swimming in the middle of the ocean. However, the most special thing is that they can also use the telescopes to have a look at the Cape of Ca Mau, to once in their life know how beautiful the cape is from afar. Without coming to Hon Khoai, such an opportunity would be nearly impossible!… Read more info & pictures
Mui Ca Mau National Park
Mui Ca Mau National Park includes the The South Pole of Vietnam – The Cape of Ca Mau.
Ca Mau Cape National Park is the natural scenery full of mangrove forests featuring a plethora of birds, wild animals, and fishes gives Ca Mau a very distinctive beauty of a newly discovered land: mysterious and fresh at the same time. With a diverse system of wild plants and animals, the giant mangrove forests are surely the most noticeable feature of this land, as they are the intersection of the East Sea and the West Sea. As the area of the forest expands greatly on a yearly basis, the most precious types of plant also develop, benefiting the wild animals residing there. It is estimated that there are over 240 types of plants, 36 species of animal, 194 species of bird, and 260 species of fish, with many endangered species. From the Cape of Ca Mau, one can see the Hon Khoai Archipelago which is 20km away from the mainland. This is a huge cluster of beautiful islands such as Hon Tuong, Hon Sao, Hon Kho, Hon Lon, Hon Doi Moi, etc., among which the Hon Khoai Island is the biggest and highest with a width of 4km2 and a height of 318m. But don’t just stand still and look, come to this amazing island! This is where you can find the most important (and probably the most romantic) lighthouse in the Gulf of Thailand and the East Sea!… Read more info & pictures
U Minh Ha National Park
Ticket: Service price: visit 10k / time, rent a boat to travel 150k / person / hour
Spend-time: One hour (approx)
Hours: Dawn – dusk
Food: Yes
Shop: Yes
Parking lot: Yes
Blog: https://vemekong.com/u-minh-ha-forest-national-park-ca-mau-vietnam/
Address: Within the administrative boundaries of 4 communes in 2 districts of Tran Van Thoi and U Minh, Ca Mau province.
Added values: The outstanding feature is the Melaleuca forest ecosystem formed in flooded, alkaline conditions, on peat soil, which is a typical tree of the Mekong Delta. On May 26, 2009, U Minh Ha National Park was recognized by UNESCO as one of the three core zones of the Cape Ca Mau World Biosphere Reserve.
Located in U Minh forest with an area of 8,000 hectares, the forest is recognized as an old forest, a large biosphere reserve of the whole Mekong Delta region, so this is a common roof of countless rare plants and animals. With its unique wetland ecosystem and cajuput forest on peatland, U Minh Ha plays an important role in protecting and restoring the landscape, ecological environment and biodiversity values… Read more info & pictures
Ngoc Hien Bird Sanctuary
Ngoc Hien bird sanctuary covers 130 hectares and is known to be one of the largest natural bird sanctuaries in Vietnam. There is a Bay Hap river flowing through it, creating rich and lush vegetation all year round. It is home to many species of birds, including some that have been involved in the red book. Every evening, in the sunset, a flock of thousands of birds flocked back and forth, chirping an area like a concert… Read more info & pictures
Thi Tuong Lagoon
Thi Tuong Lagoon is comparable to an onshore ocean of the southwest, particularly as the sun peeps out, hurling its dark tanned rays on the surface and exposing silent, humble huts. On the borderless waters, visitors can easily spot fishermen releasing their fishing nets. Nets are tossed to trap the sun, then dipped underwater… Read more info & pictures
Ca Mau Floating Market
As an official guide. We are talking again. The Ca Mau floating market is gone. No more Ca Mau floating market.
Ca Mau Floating Market is home to many trading ships filled with agricultural products and people’s goods.
This is a market where locals meet every day and are most active between 2 and 3 am. Visitors here will have the opportunity to experience a trip around the floating market in the early morning… Read more info & pictures
Cao Dai Temple in Ca Mau
Worth a look for its ornate towers, Ca Mau’s Cao Dai Temple is evidence of how deeply rooted the religion is in the Mekong Delta; these temples are a distinctive feature of many delta towns and add a playful splash of colour with their Disneyesque decorations. This particular one isn’t great, to be honest – it scores high for concrete and low for atmosphere, and if you’ve made it as far as Ca Mau you’ll doubtless have seen better examples. However, a couple of parks opposite the temple offer shady areas to escape the bustle of town near the canal… Read more info & pictures
Nam Can Mangrove Forest
Nam Can mangrove forest is a primaeval forest hidden within itself so many mysteries in Cha La hamlet, Tam Giang commune, Nam Can district, Ca Mau province. To visit this biodiversity area, tourists have to take a boat trip through a road with thousands of mangroves on both sides. Leaving on a motorboat deep into the forest. Visitors will have the opportunity to access the primaeval forest core, almost unexplored. You can even see ancient trees the size of a human body, the roots spread to 5-6 people and many rare animals… Read more info & pictures
Quan Am Ancient Temple
Quan Am Temple, also known as Phat To Pagoda, is a large temple both in terms of scale and artistic architecture. The temple was built in 1840, bearing bold ancient architecture of the 19th century, harmoniously combining the modern and traditional features of Vietnamese temples and pagodas. The temple campus is arranged neatly, with a giant open-air statue of Quan The Am standing on a lotus, holding a vase, wearing a gentle facial expression looking at the main hall. This temple is a famous tourist destination in Ca Mau Vietnam that you must definitely visit, to worship and discover about the lives of the people here. Every year, on the full moon days of January and July, Quan Am Temple holds huge Nguyen Tieu and Vu Lan festivals, when people from all over the place come to admire and worship. Location: Hamlet 2, Ward 4… Read more info & pictures
Memorial Of President Ho Chi Minh
It is located at cluster 1, ward 1, Ca Mau city. This is not only a place where the people of Dat Mui show their respect to the country’s leader but also a place to educate revolutionary traditions for the young generation. Besides, it is also a popular tourist attraction to visit the southernmost land of the country. Uncle Ho memorial area includes many items. Such as the temple, house on stilts, movie theatre, gallery, stone statue exhibition, ornamental lake, greenery, internal road … artefacts, precious images and documents about Uncle Ho’s revolutionary career… Read more info & pictures
Ca Mau Tours and Free itineraries
As a local travel expert in Ca Mau, here is some options for your Ca Mau discovery:
Itinerary 1: The South Pole of Vietnam Tour and Bird Sanctuary from Ca Mau (full day)
Itinerary 2: Ca Mau Homestay Tour from Ca Mau (2 days 1 night in the mangrove forest homestay)
Itinerary 3: U Minh Ha forest Tour from Ca Mau (Full day)
Itinerary 4: Bac Lieu Soc Trang Tour from Ca Mau (Full day, drop off in Soc Trang for Con Dao island by speed boat)
Itinerary 5: Hau Giang Can Tho Tour From Ca Mau (Full day, drop off in Can Tho)
Itinerary 6: Ca Mau South Pole Tour from Bac Lieu 2 Day (2 days, 1 night in Ca Mau and End the tour in Ca Mau city)
Itinerary 7: Can Tho Hau Giang Soc Trang Bac Lieu Ca Mau (4 days 3 nights, Start from Can Tho, 1 night in Can Tho, 1 night in Ca Mau, 1 night in Bac Lieu and end the tour in Can Tho)
If you do not have much time left, it is easy to check out spots in one full day by boat or with bike or with motorbike and car. But there are much more than tourist sites like these in Ben Tre. Make sure you have more time to feel and explore more about the hidden gems and the culture, food, night life, wildlife and forest as well. Top tip: Stay in a homestay nearby, so you have more chances to visit it and surroundings. If you are looking for the package Ben Tre daily tour with local, you can contact www.vemekong.com or Hotline/WhatsApp/WeChat/Zalo +84939888559; email: hello@vemekong.com
Ca Mau Homestays and Hotels
Muong Thanh Luxury Ca Mau Hotel – One of the top luxury hotels in Ca Mau
Muong Thanh Luxury Ca Mau Hotel is one of Delta Mekong 5-star hotels strategically located in Ca Mau Administration & Political Center. With the architecture from the master to the interior designed in the style of European luxury, class combined classic, delicate, Muong Thanh Luxury Ca Mau promised to bring guests relaxation moments through the excellent service experience.
Address: Unit C3A – Ca Mau Administration & Political Center, Ward 9, Ca Mau City, Ca Mau Province, Vietnam.
Phone: (+84) 290 222 8888
Website: www.luxurycamau.muongthanh.com
Email: info@camau.muongthanh.vn
Reference price: US$ 43/night
Phu Cuong Hotel
Only about 3km from the airport, Phu Cuong Hotel has 91 rooms that are meticulously designed to every detail. Along with a variety of service facilities including a bar system, a restaurant, … the enthusiastic reception of the staff will help make the experience of your trip more complete.
– Address: No.81 Phan Ngoc Hien Street, Ward 4, Ca Mau City Vietnam
– Room rates: 1,377,200 – 3,807,000 VND / room / night ($60.55 – 167.38)
– Contact: 0826 889 088
– Website: https://www.facebook.com/phucuonghotel
International Hotel – Convenient hotel in Ca Mau
The International Hotel is located in the center of Economics, Politics, Culture of Ca Mau on Avenue Phan Ngoc Hien from the airport. The hotel offers a wide range of room services for guests at various rates to meet all kinds of needs so visitors do not have to fret about the price. In general, the hotel is designed with simple criteria but still thoughtful, convenient with airy space, clean and comfortable.
Address: 179 Phan Ngoc Hien, Ward 6, Ca Mau, Vietnam
Phone: (+84) 290 3666 666
Website: hotels84.com/camauhotels/international-hotel.html
Email: quoctehotel@yahoo.com.vn
Reference price: US$ 13/night
Anh Nguyet Hotel – Modern hotel in Ca Mau
Located in the heart of Ca Mau City Center, Anh Nguyet Hotel is an ideal spot from which to discover Ca Mau. From here, guests can enjoy easy access to all that the place has to offer. This modern hotel is in the vicinity of popular city attractions and popular attractions. The hotel’s recreational facilities, which include a garden, are designed for escape and relaxation. Nguyet Hotel is a smart choice for travelers to Ca Mau.
Address: 207 Phan Ngoc Hien, Ca Mau, Vietnam
Phone: (+84) 0780 356 7666
Website: anhnguyethotel.com/
Email: anhnguyethotel@yahoo.com
Reference price: US$ 36/night
Dong Anh Hotel – As warm and cozy as your home
Dong Anh Hotel, located in the heart of the city with the front facing the busiest center of Ca Mau city, Tran Hung Dao Street, will be an ideal stopover for all visitors for commercial purposes. With all the dedication and thoughtful service, this place is sure to bring the most relaxing moments and most pleasurable for visitors. Come, feel and let your emotions sublimate with Dong Anh Hotel.
Address: 25 Tran Hung Dao, Ward 5, Ca Mau, Vietnam
Phone: (+84) 0780 357 6666
Website: www.donganhhotel.com.vn
Email: donganh@donganhhotel.com.vn
Reference price: US$ 16/night
Song Hung Hotel
Having a scale of 30 extremely clean and beautiful rooms, Song Hung Hotel is full of amenities, with a full hot and cold system, free wifi and a terrace in each room. The hotel’s staff is extremely professional, always trying to serve all the needs of customers, which made this hotel rated as the best value for money in the area.
– Address: No.28 Phan Ngoc Hien Street, Ward 4, Ca Mau City
– Room rates: 295,455 – 477,273 VND / room / night ($13 – 21)
– Contact: 0290 3822 822
There are many local homestays in the mangrove forest as well.
Ca Mau Markets, Shopping and Souvenirs
Ca Mau Market
Running along 6A, 6B & Phan Boi Chau Streets in the city center, the market starts to sell goods from about 4pm to 10pm with bustling sellers and buyers. You can easily find items from high-end to affordable, from clothes and shoes to jewelry and souvenirs… Besides, you can also easily come across food and beverage outlets, serving fast food and refreshment needs, as well as various specialities of Ca Mau Province. At the end of the year, the number of tourists coming here to visit and shop increases greatly, making the scene here even more bustling.
Ca Mau Night Market
Ca Mau Food and Drink
Ca Mau Street Foods
Banh tam ga cay (Silkworm rice cake with curried chicken)
The silkworm rice cake with curried chicken here has two major parts, including “banh tam” (silkworm cake) and curried chicken. Besides, the cake is exactly the noodles which are quite similar to the silkworms so that’s how it’s called. Silkworm cake and curried chicken are served with bean sprouts and salad. When the dish is served, the silkworm cake is topped with steamy curried chicken and a bit of broth poured onto the rice noodles. Some veggies you can enjoy are salad and bean sprouts. Also, don’t forget to sprinkle some ground black pepper salt to add flavor to your food… Read more info & pictures
Grilled Vop clams with salt and pepper
The mangrove forest of this province has a unique and diverse ecosystem, in which there is a species of clam which is a rare specialty and can be processed into many delicious dishes, but the most delicious one is grilled Vop clams with salt, pepper, and lemon. The Vop clams are about 3 – 4 cm large, are washed, drained and then grilled on a charcoal grill, adding seasonings such as salt, pepper, lemon, and monosodium glutamate. Ca Mau people also often add a little onion fat, peanuts to enhance the taste, and vegetables including laksa leaves, herbs, and basil. When eating, you will feel the sweetness of the clam, the freshness of the vegetables, the sourness and saltiness blending in with the characteristic scent of charcoal… This delicious and unique dish offers the taste of the forest and the sea, attracting any visitor coming to Ca Mau Province… Read more info & pictures
Grilled snakehead fish
Grilled snakehead fish is a specialty that should not be missed, especially if it has to be grilled with straw, the fish meat will be fragrant and delicious. After the straw is burned, the fish is taken out and scraped off the burnt black scales on the outside to get a fresh and hot golden grilled meat, with a distinctive aroma that is hard to resist. According to our Ca Mau travel tip, grilled snakehead fish is wrapped in rice paper with some vermicelli, lettuce, herbs, … and must be dipped with thick tamarind fish sauce or fish sauce mixed with garlic, lemon, chili, sugar, etc. All these salty, sweet, sour, spicy and fleshy flavors of fish meat plus the pungent taste of a glass of alcohol are unmatched.
Grilled mudskipper fish
Grilled mudskippers with salt and pepper is a famous delicacy in the land of Ca Mau Cape. Despite its ugly appearance, the meat is very firm, sweet, fragrant and not fishy, and can be made into many delicious dishes that make diners praise nonstop. The fresh fishes are washed to clear the mud, marinated with a little salt and pepper, then placed on a charcoal grill over medium heat until the skin turns yellow and smells fragrant. Eating grilled mudskippers with salt and pepper is indispensable with the right dipping sauce to increase the delicious taste, served with vermicelli, rice paper and vegetables such as broccoli, salad, herbs, sour star fruit… Read more info & pictures
Stone crab roast with salt
Stone crabs can be made into a variety of attractive dishes, but the most attractive is still roasted salt crabs. When the roast is finished, the crab will turn red, the meat is white, soft, slightly tough but sweet and eaten. This is considered one of the valuable specialties in Ca Mau. If you go to Ca Mau and want to eat this dish, you can enjoy the stone crab in restaurants under Ganh Hao Bridge. Or else, the Old street restaurant in 239 Phan Ngoc Hien Street, Ward 9, Ca Mau City, Ca Mau is also the best choice. This dish have the price about US$ 7… Read more info & pictures
Young bee salad
Young bee salad is known as the best dish of Ca Mau. Pupae salad is not eaten as a fish salad, after harvest it will be roasted with spices. When eaten with herbs, green bananas, you will feel the smell and fat of the pupae. In addition, you can also eat a few other dishes that are also made from young bees such as roasted bee noodles, fried noodles with bee porridge…Young bee salad is often served at restaurants in the U Minh Ha forest area because honey bees in the U Minh Ha forest are fat and delicious… Read more info & pictures
Ba Khia – A traditional food in Ca Mau
Ba Khia is one more traditional food in Ca Mau. Not only the local people but also the visitors love this food very much. Ba Khia’s shape is almost the same as the crab but the texture and texture of the meat is very different, and is more delicious. These are often eaten by salt or boiled with lemongrass. If you want to eat Ba Khia, come to Rach Goc in July, August during the lunar year. One of the best seafood restaurants is Quat Mo Seafood Restaurant in No. 14 Bui Thi Truong Street, Ca Mau… Read more info & pictures
Ca Mau Crab
Ca Mau crabs are actually the most typical specialty for any visitor. The crabs are big, tough and fleshy and processed in a variety of dishes such as charcoal grilled crabs, beer steamed crabs, grilled crabs, roasted crabs with tamarind sauce, crab hotpot or crab rice soup… Crab prices range from VND 450,000-550,000 / kg.
Cua Thu Thiet Restaurant. Address: No.57 Ngo Gia Tu Street, Block 5, Ward 5. Price range: 39,000 – 499,000 VND / dish ($1.7 – 21.94). Opening hours: 2pm – 11pm
Quat Mo Seafood Restaurant. Address: No.14 – 16 Bui Thi Truong Street, Ward 5. Price range: 10,000 – 450,000 VND / dish ($0.44 – 19.78). Opening hours: 3pm – 12am
Hai Yen Restaurant. Address: No.210 Tran Hung Dao Street, Ward 5. Price range: 30,000 – 100,000 VND / dish ($1.32 – 4.4). Opening hours: 3pm – 12am… Read more info & pictures
Watch the Sunrise and Sunset at Ca Mau Cape
If you stay in one of the local mangrove homestays, do not forget to take an amazing boat trip. Go through the mangrove paradise which is super chill in the early morning as well as the late afternoon. And the weather allows, you will enjoy the golden hours during your exploration. Fingers crossed beautiful nature.
Monivongsa Bopharam Pagoda
Monivongsa Bopharam pagoda is located in Ward 1, Ca Mau city centre. This is a Khmer temple with the typical architecture of Theravada Buddhism and is the largest temple in the city. Visiting the temple you will own the fantasy living pictures like in the land of golden pagodas or Cambodia… Read more info & pictures
Thien Lam Pagoda
In addition to its untouched wilderness, Ca Mau also boasts various remarkable places of worship. Thien Lam Pagoda, markedly inspired by Chinese religious architecture, is a popular and much visited religious landmark of the province. Its gable, walls and beams are covered by sophisticated dragon and leaf and floral decorative engravings… Read more info & pictures
U Minh Forest
Ca Mau City borders the U Minh forest, a huge mangrove forest covering 1000 sq km of Ca Mau and Kien Giang provinces. Local people use certain species of mangrove as a source of timber, charcoal, thatch and tannin. When the mangroves flower, bees feed on the blossoms, providing both honey and wax. The area is an important habitat for waterfowl. The U-Minh Forest, which is the largest mangrove forest in the world outside of the Amazon basin, was a favourite hideout for the VC during the American War. US patrol boats were frequently ambushed here and the VC regularly planted mines in the canals. Unfortunately the mangrove forests are being further damaged by clearing for shrimp-farming ponds, charcoal production and woodchipping. The government has turned to limit these activities, but the conflict between nature and humans continues… Read more info & pictures
Hon Da Bac Island
Hon Da Bac Island located 50 kilometers from Ca Mau city, in the area of Khanh Binh Tay commune, Tran Van Thoi district, Ca Mau province. This is the common name of a cluster of large, small rocks on an area of 6.43 hectares. This is a large island consisting of many small islands located close to each other such as Hon Ngo island, Da Ly island and Da Bac island. Here, you can experience the wonderful moments when fishing shrimp, squid or delicious seafood… Read more info & pictures
Dam Doi Bird Sanctuary
Dam Doi Bird Sanctuary belongs to Tan Dan Commune, Dam Doi District with a total area of 132ha. This is the habitat and breeding ground for many species of plants and animals, including 116 species of birds, especially storks. Dam Doi Bird Sanctuary in Ca Mau Vietnam possesses the scenery of a peaceful village with fields stretching to the distance, filled with mangrove trees stretching and covering the lake surface. Coming to Dam Doi Bird Sanctuary, you will have the opportunity to immerse in a fresh atmosphere, listen to the sounds of birds, and explore their daily life. This is also a great opportunity for you to film and take photos from different angles to get unique and precious pictures… Read more info & pictures
Khai Long Tourist Area
Khai Long is one of the very attractive coastal eco-tourism in Ca Mau. It has long sandy beaches, cool blue ocean rows, in the calming sea, four sides are mangrove ecosystems, creating a cool space suitable for relaxation and relaxation. From Khai Long beach, visitors can also see the whole cluster of beautiful Khoai islands… Read more info & pictures
Ca Mau History and Culture
Ca Mau History
After the Fall of Saigon, 30 April 1975, Bạc Liêu and Cà Mau provinces were merged into one big province which was called Minh Hai. In 1996, Minh Hai was split into two, with the northeast becoming Bạc Liêu Province and the southwest becoming Cà Mau Province.
Don Ca Tai Tu & Da Co Hoai Lang
The people of the Mekong Delta are known for their love of music. Don Ca Tai Tu, a Vietnamese style of folk opera originally from the Mekong Delta, is a mix of ballads and theatre accompanied by a musician playing a zither or, in modern renditions, a guitar. The amusing storylines are often set in Vietnam’s countryside and can be lighthearted, sorrowful, or both. Regardless of language barriers, it’s easy to enjoy Don Ca Tai Tu, thanks to expressive acting and melodious singing. Ca Mau gardens and homestays are some of the places that perform Don Ca Tai Tu music throughout the day and at dinner time.
Ca Mau Museum
Ca Mau Nightlife
Ca Mau Festivals, Sports and Outdoor Activities
Ca Mau Health and Safety
Dos and Don’ts for Your Trip to Ca Mau
Practical tips: Ways to save, Internet, Water, Learn a little Vietnamese and pro Tips
Ways to save:
Stay somewhere with free breakfast. Many budget hotels offer free breakfast to guests.
Eat street food. Food stalls are cheap and plentiful and are a great place to try regional specialities.
Travel by bicycle/motorbike. These two-wheeled bikes are among the cheapest ways to get around Can Tho and Mekong Delta region.
Stick to free attractions. If you’re really tight for cash, attractions such as markets cost nothing.
Ca Mau group tours. If you want to see and learn as much as possible with your limited time.
Internet:
Free Wi-Fi can be found everywhere from hotels to coffee shops. If you are from the EU you should be able to use your own data plan too. Or contact the hotel for the sim card.
Water:
Tap water is supposed to be safe but I advise against drinking it. It’s just not worth the risk. My advice is to use bottled water and save yourself from unexpected stomach problems.
Learn a little Vietnamese:
Sure, you can get by with just speaking English, but trying to speak the local language opens you up to much more polite & meaningful interactions with people. Even if you are not perfect or you make a mistake, your effort is appreciated. At a bare minimum: Hello = xin chao (sin chow), yes = dạ vâng, no = không (khom), thank you = cám ơn (kahm uhn), I’m sorry = tôi xin lỗi (toy sin loy), no problem/you’re welcome = không có gì (khong koh zi), goodbye = tạm biệt (tarm byeet), I’m vegetarian = tôi ăn chay (toy an chayh), How much? = bao nhiêu? (baow nyew), spicy/hot (cay), Oh My God (ôi..choy…oi…).
Pro Tips:
You can stay in a homestay which is near the riverside, this will help you out the best option. Then you can hire a scooter, car or bike and explore it by yourself. There are many local homestays in the mangrove forest near Ca Mau cape and near U Minh Ha forest. Both of these places are super green for staying and forget the world.
If you plan to extend your travel to Ca Mau homestay, do not forget to bring mosquito repellent cream.
Visit Ca Mau or do any customized tours, please choose reputable providers with boat trips equipped with lifebuoys, jackets, motorcycle and cycling tours with the helmets and. Safety is a priority! Choose Ca Mau responsible tours which help you give back while traveling. It’s a cliché, but it’s true.
Ca Mau food & drink guide ranges from street food, authentic, fancy to fusion foods. As a tropical land of many fresh vegetables and homegrown gardens, which always make Ca Mau cuisines fresh, close to nature and very traditional. If you are a food lover, don’t hesitate to put other bites onto your food lists such as Banh tam ga cay (Silkworm rice cake with curried chicken), grilled Vop clams with salt and pepper, grilled snakehead fish, grilled mudskipper fish, stone crab roast with salt, young bee salad, Ba Khia – A traditional food in Ca Mau, Ca Mau crab is a must-eat…
Bring your hat, sunglasses, and sunblock, scarf to wear when visiting temples, pagodas, and the cathedral.
Bring the raincoat if you’re planning a trip to Ca Mau in the rainy season, as Ca Mau always looks fantastic in the full rain and full sun.
Ca Mau tourist attractions are magnificent itself, but if you have enough time, don’t forget to put other places onto your bucket lists such as Ca Mau City Bird Garden, Ca Mau Cape – The South Pole of Vietnam, U Minh Ha National Park, Mui Ca Mau National Park, Monivongsa Bopharam Pagoda, Thien Lam Pagoda, Ca Mau Floating Market (totally no more), Cao Dai Temple In Ca Mau, Nam Can Mangrove Forest, Quan Am Ancient Temple, Memorial of President Ho Chi Minh, Watch the Sunrise and Sunset at Ca Mau Cape, U Minh Forest, Thi Tuong Lagoon, Khai Long Tourist Area, Hon Khoai Island, Hon Da Bac Island,
Hopefully, the above tips will help you to come up with a great plan for your adventure in Ca Mau province, Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Have a safe trip!
“Sleep less, travel more, respect more” – Thomas Vietnam – Local travel expert.
Thank you
