Festival «Văn hóa Sông nước Cần Thơ lần thứ II» (Can Tho River Culture)

   At the turn of the year the stretch of river in front of Ninh Kiều wharf becomes a stage: boats moored across the water, a water-music show and drone light to open, low-altitude fireworks to close the first night. For six days the Mekong Delta's main city lays out its own river life so that you can step into it instead of watching from the embankment.

   The plan for the second edition was signed by Nguyễn Thị Ngọc Điệp, vice-chair of the Cần Thơ People's Committee, under the theme «Cần Thơ – Khúc giao hòa sông nước» (Cần Thơ, a river harmony). The action concentrates in Ninh Kiều and Cái Khế wards and the streets around them; low-altitude fireworks are planned for 9.30 pm on 30 December, and the countdown to 2027 takes place in Sông Hậu park.

   Water races and displays are spread across the first days of January:

• — 1 January 2027 — sailing regatta;
• — 2 January — parade and the open SUP paddle race;
• — 3 January — the open model-boat race;
• — 3 and 4 January — the open composite-hull racing championship;
• — 4 January — the open mini ghe ngo boat race.

   Cái Răng floating market hosts a separate day dedicated to the áo bà ba, the southern working dress: a beauty contest, a fashion show called «Lung linh sắc áo bà ba», mass choreography and a parade in the costume. Ninh Kiều park holds a display of delta farming and fishing tools plus photo sets built for visitors.

   On the water itself the organisers anchor 30 to 40 boats selling folk cakes, fruit, regional specialities and cooked food straight from the deck, recreating the rhythm of a floating market, with đờn ca tài tử music played through the festival.

   The first edition opened on the evening of 27 December 2025 on the Khai Luông canal opposite Ninh Kiều wharf and ran until 1 January 2026. The stage was built on the water, hundreds of boats paraded to recreate the floating markets of Cái Răng, Ngã Năm and Ngã Bảy, and the night ended with 300 drones and about fifteen minutes of fireworks. Crowds filled the wharf, Hai Bà Trưng street and both banks of the canal.

   According to the city administration, Cần Thơ received more than 11 million visitors in 2025, including nearly 45,000 international arrivals, up 18 per cent year on year, with tourism revenue close to 10 trillion dong.

   The festival suits families out for the New Year break, anyone drawn to water sports, and travellers who want to catch the delta in full swing exactly at the turn of the year.

   Please note: the plan is marked provisional, and the timing of individual activities and access conditions have not been detailed. A bulletin from May 2026 named 29 December – 3 January before the official plan settled on 30 December – 4 January.

   If you are choosing where to meet the new year in the Mekong Delta, Cần Thơ this season offers both a stage on the river and a floating market the next morning.