Can Tho is the largest city in Vietnam's Mekong Delta and an important commercial center in the region. It lies along the Hau River, one of the Mekong's major distributaries, and is surrounded by canals, rice fields, fruit orchards, and low-lying farmland. Waterways remain closely connected to daily life, with boats carrying people and goods between communities. The city combines a busy urban center with quieter riverside districts and agricultural areas. Its location in the delta makes Can Tho an important place for understanding the region's river-based economy, farming traditions, and distinctive southern Vietnamese landscape.

Can Tho's cultural identity is closely connected to life along the Mekong and its network of canals. Buddhist temples and communal houses serve local communities, while markets remain important centers of trade and social activity. Ong Temple, located near the riverfront, reflects the influence of Chinese-Vietnamese communities in the city and is dedicated to several Taoist and Buddhist figures. The Khmer cultural presence is also visible in the wider Mekong Delta, including Theravada Buddhist traditions and Khmer temples. Traditional music, family-run businesses, and agricultural communities contribute to a local identity shaped by different cultural influences and the rhythms of river life.

Cai Rang Floating Market is Can Tho's best-known attraction, where boats gather to sell fruit, vegetables, and other agricultural products from the delta. Many larger boats display their goods by hanging samples from tall poles, allowing buyers to identify what is available from a distance. Phong Dien Floating Market provides a smaller-scale market experience farther from the city center. Ninh Kieu Wharf is a central riverside area with views across the Hau River, while nearby canals lead into fruit-growing communities and rural landscapes. Boat trips offer access to these waterways and provide a close view of homes, orchards, bridges, and agricultural activity.

Can Tho's cuisine makes extensive use of ingredients produced in the Mekong Delta. Hu Tieu Can Tho, a southern Vietnamese noodle soup, is a well-known local dish, while fresh river fish, prawns, crab, and seasonal vegetables are common in regional cooking. Tropical fruits such as pomelo, durian, rambutan, mangosteen, and mango are widely cultivated around the city and sold in markets. Banh xeo, a crisp rice-flour pancake filled with meat, shrimp, and vegetables, is another popular southern dish. The city's floating markets, riverside eateries, and orchard communities connect local food directly with the waterways and farmland surrounding Can Tho.