In the first 6 months of 2026, Can Tho welcomed more than 7.5 million visitors, an increase of 19% compared to the same period; tourism revenue reached 6,608 billion VND, an increase of 21%. However, overnight tourists only increased by 3%. These figures show that Can Tho's problem is not only to attract tourists, but also to create more products to retain and encourage tourists to spend more.
Lack of playground, lack of things to buy
Mr. Nguyen Van Huy (28 years old, Hanoi city) said that he has been to Can Tho a few times and often goes to Ninh Kieu wharf to stroll and eat in the evening. According to him, the city has an advantage in riverside space, but after about 10 pm, tourists do not have many choices to continue playing.
Can Tho is not short of eateries and cafes. What I see lacking is a destination attractive enough for tourists to really want to stay until late at night," Mr. Huy said.
Mr. Huy believes that it is possible to study the model of a riverside nightlife area with about 5-10 locations planned in the same area, including: live music bars, pubs, bars, food stalls and outdoor stages. However, this model should not copy bar neighborhoods in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City but needs to create a unique mark of Can Tho.
Regarding spending, Mr. Huy shared that he can spend about 700,000-1,000,000 VND per evening, including: drinks, snacks and experience fees if there is a performance program. If there are artists or special programs, he is willing to spend more, but the experience must be commensurate with the price.
According to Mr. Huy, the night economy can also help extend the length of stay. If the entertainment activities are finished at 9-10 pm, tourists can leave Can Tho the next day. Conversely, if there is a sufficiently attractive amusement park, they can stay for another night and spend more.
Mr. Huy proposed that it should be piloted in a separately planned area, with operating hours and a clear management mechanism to facilitate control of security, hygiene, traffic and noise.
Ms. Do Thi Huong (55 years old, Hanoi city) said that Can Tho currently lacks gift and souvenir product designs with local identity for tourists to buy as souvenirs or gifts to relatives.
Tourists coming to Cai Rang floating market or Can Tho market not only want to visit and eat, but also want to buy a typical gift of Tay Do land. However, products that meet this demand are still quite few and have not created a unique mark," Ms. Huong commented.
She also believes that Can Tho has many materials to develop gifts such as: images of floating markets, boats, rivers, orchards, Southern cuisine and culture. These materials need to be designed into beautiful, compact, easy-to-carry products and have reasonable prices.
It doesn't have to be an expensive gift. A small, beautiful product with a story about Can Tho, meticulous packaging will make tourists want to buy and remember this land. If done well, each gift is also a way to promote the image of Can Tho to other places," Ms. Huong said.
According to her, the lack of entertainment, experience and shopping products is also a reason why the length of stay of tourists in Can Tho is still short. "During the day, tourists can visit, but in the evening there are not many attractive activities to keep them. If the city has more unique tourism products, nighttime activities and shopping and experience space, tourists will have more reason to stay longer, thereby increasing spending and contributing more to the local economy," Ms. Huong said.
Creating more products to retain tourists
Cultural researcher and writer Nham Hung believes that Can Tho is lacking gifts and souvenirs with local identity for tourists to buy as souvenirs or gifts to relatives.
According to him, many souvenir products today originate from other localities, not clearly showing the characteristics of Tay Do land. "Tourists want to find a typical gift of Can Tho but do not have many choices. This is a limitation in retaining and increasing tourist spending," he said.
He also believes that it is necessary to develop products associated with floating markets, rivers, cuisine, fruits and Southern culture; at the same time, combine performance activities and cultural experiences to create more attraction. When there are more unique products and more experiences, tourists will have more reasons to stay longer, thereby increasing their stay and spending time in Can Tho.
According to leaders of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Can Tho city, the city is focusing on developing river and water eco-tourism products, culture - history, agriculture, community and MICE; at the same time, planning space for nighttime economic development, preserving Cai Rang floating market, traditional craft villages and developing more experiential products.
In the period 2025-2030, Can Tho will continue to diversify typical products, exploit the strengths of rivers, ecology, agriculture, culture and urban tourism, strengthen linkages, attract investment and improve service quality. The city is also evaluating and developing a plan to preserve and promote the value of Cai Rang floating market, heritage sites, craft villages, and festivals associated with tourism development.
According to the tourism industry, the formation of more unique products and experiences will create more reasons for tourists to stay longer, participate in more activities and increase spending in Can Tho.
