Côn Son, a Tranquil Island to Discover in Can Tho

Just minutes away by boat from the center of Can Tho, Côn Son opens the doors to another world – a peaceful, green world deeply rooted in the traditions of the Mekong Delta. This small river island situated on the Hâu River captivates you immediately with its pristine natural beauty, the simplicity of daily life, and the hospitality of its inhabitants. Here you will find no mass tourism or showy modern structures; instead, lush tropical fruit orchards, stilt houses, winding canals bordered with coconut palms, and above all, a serene and authentic atmosphere where every daily gesture tells a story.

Famous for sustainable community-based tourism, Côn Son invites travelers to slow down and participate in immersive activities such as preparing traditional sweets, observing floating fish farms, or taking a bicycle or boat ride through fruit gardens. It is an ideal escape for those who wish to experience the delta in a different way – with slowness, respect, and wonder.

General Information About Côn Son

Where is Côn Son Located?

Côn Son is a picturesque river island situated in the middle of the Hâu River, one of the main arteries of the Mekong Delta. This region, an integral part of the city of Cần Thơ, is often considered the agricultural heart of Vietnam, playing an essential role in rice production and other agricultural products. Cần Thơ, the largest city in the delta, is famous for its floating markets, winding canals, and a peaceful rhythm of life that characterizes cities along the river.

Côn Son is an idyllic river island situated in the heart of the Hâu River, a vital artery of the Mekong Delta

As an economic and cultural center, Can Tho attracts not only those involved in agriculture and commerce, but also tourists eager to discover a traditional and authentic lifestyle. Côn Son, with its rich ecosystem composed of fruit orchards, agricultural fields, and small waterways, perfectly illustrates the interaction between human communities and their fertile natural environment. The Côn Son community, renowned for its warm hospitality, leaves a lasting impression of simplicity and authenticity.

Why the Name Côn Son?

Originally, this island was covered with a large number of lacquer trees. Inhabitants extracted the resin to produce lacquer used in gilding and decorating wooden furniture, from which the name “Côn Son” is derived, inspired by this natural feature.

Originally, this island sheltered a large number of lacquer trees.

The traditional craft of the inhabitants consisted mainly in extracting resin from these trees and processing wood. Over time, this activity declined and inhabitants gradually diversified their occupations, dedicating themselves to fruit cultivation and fish farming in floating cages.

What is the Origin of the Côn Son Tourist Site?

In 2014, the initiative to develop a tourist complex at Côn Son was born, and in 2015, the tourist village was officially opened. Initially wild and rarely visited, the island quickly gained popularity, becoming one of the must-see destinations in Cần Thơ. This success is the result of collaboration among over 100 local families who united their efforts to create a model ecotourism village. Together, they developed an integrated agricultural ecosystem that includes fruit orchards, fish farms, and traditional ovens for preparing Hu Tiêu, a local specialty. Each family, while having its own characteristics and functions, contributes to mutual support and common development, making Côn Son a remarkable example of ecological and cultural tourism.

What Are the Best Times to Visit Côn Son?

The best times to visit Côn Son, thanks to pleasant weather and abundant fruit, generally run from April to July. During these months, the Mekong Delta region, of which Côn Son is a part, enjoys warm and sunny weather, ideal for fruit blooming and local agricultural life. It is the perfect time for those wishing to have an immersive experience by participating in agricultural activities such as fruit picking directly in the orchards.

In April and May, temperatures are generally comfortable, making it pleasant to visit the vast green expanses and waterways of the island. June and July, although warmer, offer the opportunity to see fruits at their peak, with the rich flavors and aromas typical of southern Vietnam.

Visiting during these months allows you not only to enjoy the best of nature, but also the warm welcome of the inhabitants, renowned for their hospitality. By choosing this time, visitors can also avoid the more frequent rains that characterize the monsoon season later in the year.

What to See and Do at Côn Son?

Situated in the Mekong Delta, the island of Côn Son is a fascinating destination that offers a variety of engaging activities for visitors. From discovering lush orchards to navigating winding canals, Côn Son combines cultural richness and natural beauty. Here are some of the best activities not to miss during your visit to this picturesque island.

Visit Uncle Bảy Bon’s Fish Farm

Right at the entrance to Côn Son, the fish farming village of Chu Bay (Uncle Bay Bon) offers a unique experience to visitors. Located just 500 meters from the dock, this aquatic farm spans approximately 5,000 square meters and consists of over 30 floating cages lined along one kilometer. Originally designed to supply fish to local restaurants in Cần Thơ, these structures have been transformed into a fascinating tourist attraction.

You can experience fish pedicure.

Visiting the Chu Bay Bon fish farms, visitors can observe thousands of fish of different species, such as catfish (cá tra), striped snake fish (thác lác cườm), and koi. These waters also host spectacular species such as tiger fish, which can reach almost 50 cm in length, intended solely for observation. One of the most popular activities here is fish feeding. With just a handful of food provided by the owner, you can see hundreds of fish gather and stir the water, creating a fascinating spectacle.

Observe Flying Snake Fish

Observing flying snake fish is a very interesting experience at Côn Son.

At Côn Son, one of the most surprising attractions is the demonstration of “flying snake fish”. Raised in floating cages, these fish are trained to eat at fixed times set by their owner. At feeding time, the farmer announces the food distribution by striking a gong, a signal indicating to the fish that it is time to eat. The food, placed in a container, is then thrown into the cage. Instinctively, the fish leap out of the water to grab the food, offering a spectacular scene that fascinates all spectators. Having become iconic, this “flying snake fish” attraction has acquired considerable fame, particularly thanks to television media and social network platforms.

Feed Snake Fish with a Bottle

Mr. Tâm, creator of the innovative concept of “Ca loc bu binh” (bottle-fed snake fish), came up with this idea after the success of the “flying snake fish“. He observed that fish, just like humans, are more active in youth but become heavier and less agile with age. So he decided to “retire” them and feed them with a bottle.

Feed snake fish with a bottle for a unique experience!

To do this, Mr. Tâm isolated the older fish, weighing about 1.2 kg, in a new enclosure and began feeding them directly with a bottle. Although this method required much patience, he succeeded in getting them used to this new form of feeding. This unique attraction quickly became popular, further strengthening Côn Son’s reputation as an innovative and fascinating tourist destination.

Now visitors can see these fish approach and suckle from the bottle, a spectacle that quickly gained popularity and became one of the main points of interest for tourists, further solidifying Côn Son’s fame as an original and engaging tourist destination.

Feed Fish with Rice

Feed fish with rice – An authentic adventure in the heart of South Vietnam

The Song Khanh farm offers a unique and original experience: feeding fish with rice. Visitors have the opportunity to feed fish spoonfuls of rice. At feeding time, inhabitants emit a particular sound to attract fish to the surface, where they come to take food directly from the visitors’ hands. This activity adds a playful and interactive dimension to the visit, allowing tourists to get even closer to the daily life and local traditions of Côn Son.

Pick and Eat Fruit in the Orchards

During your visit to Côn Son, don’t forget to visit the orchards with their various exotic fruits.

During your stay at Côn Son, you will have an enriching experience in the heart of local orchards. Depending on the season, you will have the opportunity to discover and pick a variety of fruits typical of southern Vietnam. Each season offers its ripe fruits, allowing you to taste fresh and juicy fruits picked directly from the tree.

Don’t forget to taste the exotic fruits of the Mekong Delta.

At each visit, Côn Son reveals a variety of different fruits, ranging from golden longan to red rambutan, from green-shelled pomelo to velvety plums and black sapote. This diversity makes every visit to Côn Son a unique and unforgettable experience.

This activity is included in our itinerary, which you can discover in more detail by consulting this link: Flavors of Vietnam – 25 Days.

Catch Fish in the Pond

During your visit to the Côn Son tourist site, you can participate in an unprecedented experience: “a day as a farmer”.

This activity includes various rural tasks such as searching for crabs and snails, fishing with a rod, and above all, the challenge of draining a pond to catch fish. Participants are provided with traditional ba ba clothing, scarves, conical hats, and baskets for catching fish.

The fish caught, such as snake fish (cá lóc), catfish (cá trê) and tilapia (cá rô phi), are then prepared on site. You will have the opportunity to taste authentic dishes with local flavors, cooked with the fish you have caught yourself.

An extremely interesting experience is draining the pond to catch fish.

This activity is open to all, with no restrictions on the number of participants, and the quantity of fish caught is unlimited and not subject to payment. You need only budget for meal preparation costs. This challenge offers total immersion in Vietnamese rural life and the opportunity to taste freshly prepared dishes, making your visit to Côn Son even more memorable and enriching.

Prepare Various Traditional Southern Vietnamese Sweets

During your visit to Côn Son, you will enjoy an authentic and enriching culinary experience, guided by local inhabitants who will share with you their knowledge of preparing traditional southern Vietnamese pastries. You can prepare specialties such as Banh kep, Banh bo, Banh it, Banh la, Banh xeo, and Banh khot. The inhabitants, warm and welcoming, will be happy to show you how to create these delicacies, offering an immersive and interactive culinary experience.

This activity will allow you to discover the secrets of preparing various desserts emblematic of this region, making your stay at Côn Son even more memorable and delicious.

You can make various traditional southern Vietnamese sweets

After preparing these sweets, you will have the pleasure of tasting them, savoring the fruit of your work and the satisfaction of “getting your hands dirty in the kitchen when you’re hungry”. This experience will not only satisfy you, but will also offer you valuable insight into Vietnamese culinary culture, making every bite even more delicious and memorable.

After experiencing the preparation of traditional sweets, taste the fruit of your work.

If you visit Côn Son in a group and wish to enjoy a buffet of traditional sweets, it is recommended to book in advance. This allows the inhabitants to organize themselves and carefully prepare an authentic feast, thus ensuring a memorable and well-orchestrated culinary experience.

Enjoy an Authentic South Vietnamese Meal

During your visit to Côn Son, you will have the opportunity to savor an authentic meal with the flavors of South Vietnam, prepared by local inhabitants. Each family of Côn Son contributes to a typical communal meal by bringing a dish cooked with fresh and local ingredients, transported by bicycle. This feast, composed of fish caught in the ponds and vegetables picked directly from the gardens, offers an authentic culinary immersion. You can taste typical regional dishes, such as “Ca Kho Tô” (Vietnamese braised fish) and “Lâu Mam” (Vietnamese hot pot based on fermented fish paste).

Enjoy an authentic meal from South Vietnam

Beyond this culinary experience, Côn Son offers unparalleled moments of relaxation. Imagine yourself gently swaying in a hammock, sipping fragrant tea of breadfruit flower or blue pea flower, surrounded by the light and refreshing breeze of the orchard. This quiet environment is ideal for abandoning yourself to your thoughts, being lulled by the wind. This simple, yet so rewarding activity will make your stay at Côn Son an indelible memory.

Travel Tips for Côn Son

• Bring with you an umbrella, a light jacket, a hat, and sunscreen. The weather can be very sunny, hot, and humid, so it is important to protect yourself from UV rays and heat.
• Prefer comfortable shoes or sandals suitable for walking. You will spend a lot of time exploring the island on foot, so it is essential to choose footwear that does not tire your feet.
• Côn Son has limited hosting capacity each day. If you plan to visit in a large group, it is advisable to contact the inhabitants in advance so they can adequately prepare for your visit.
• Make sure your phones and cameras are well charged so you can capture the most memorable moments of your trip. The island offers numerous picturesque landscapes and activities that deserve to be photographed.

Visiting Côn Son means immersing yourself in an oasis of peace where nature reigns supreme and daily worries seem to fade away. By traveling to this green and fertile island, you will discover not only magnificent landscapes and unique activities, but also the warmth and sincerity of the local inhabitants. These, with their simple and authentic lifestyle, perfectly embody the spirit of Côn Son. Ecotourism at Côn Son highlights community-based tourism and sustainable development. Local initiatives allow visitors to participate in traditional activities while supporting the local economy and preserving the environment. The inhabitants, diversifying their income sources through sustainable agricultural and aquatic practices, demonstrate the example of a successful symbiosis between man and nature. By visiting Côn Son, you will contribute to a model of respectful and sustainable tourism while enjoying an unforgettable experience. Come discover this small corner of paradise where nature, culture, and community unite to offer visitors the best of the Mekong Delta. May your stay at Côn Son be full of enriching discoveries and moments of pure relaxation in the heart of nature. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us!