Jobs in Can Tho

Introduction

Can Tho is the fourth largest city in Vietnam and the largest city in the Mekong Delta. The city is the political, economic, cultural, and transportation center of the region and is known for its beautiful rural canals, iconic floating markets, picturesque waterfront, and rice paper-making village. The city is also named “The Capital of the West.” It is a popular destination for tourists and is often used as the perfect base for nearby tourist attractions. The city is the best place to enjoy a pleasant life among culture, lush nature, and paddy fields.

As the epicenter of Mekong Delta, Can Tho provides many job opportunities for locals and expatriates. Every year, the city attracts a large number of expats, especially students and English teachers. The city has a large port and two industrial parks, while they are the biggest employer for locals, expats usually work in the hospitality industry, being a translator or freelance. With strong socio-economic growth, the city is also a major investment magnet. It is known to appeal to many new foreign direct investments.  In addition, the infrastructure is constantly being upgraded to ensure convenient road and waterway transport. This fast developing city aims to become the first smart city in the southwestern region by 2025.

Popular Areas in Can Tho

Even though Can Tho is a large city, it has a very compact central area with hotels, markets, and restaurants. The most popular area where expats live at is the five urban districts, including Ninh Kieu, Cai Rang, Binh Thus, O Mon, and Thot Not. Ninh Kieu is particularly popular for its big markets, great restaurants, good schools, and vibrant night clubs. The area is a bit expensive, but expats can get easy access to the best amenities within walking distance. Cai Rang is popular for its floating market, which makes the place crowded, especially during the high season of tourism.

Can Tho is known for its delightful food and has a few popular restaurant and cafes. Phuong Nam Restaurant caters to Chinese and Vietnamese cuisine. The restaurant is also vegetarian-friendly. When you are in a mood for some Japanese cuisine, try Sushi Sakura Can Tho in Ninh Kieu, it has a huge choice of sushi and sashimi all at a reasonable price. There is also Mekong Restaurant, which is especially popular among foreigners. Located on the waterside, the restaurant is relatively small but offers a vast Chinese menu with affordable price. If you want to have some Western food, Pizza Company is the best place to go and their menu includes French Fries, Sizzlers, and Pizzas. 

There are plenty of cafes in Can Tho. Equipped with strong Wi-Fi and amazing drinks, cafes are a good place to work or hang out with friends. Café English is a hub for locals who want to practice English as well as a place for expats to meet up. The café is run by an Australian husband and wife. You will find many Western menus such as pasta, pizza, burger, and sandwich. There is also live music every Saturday. To taste the best coffee with a great view, consider Café & Restaurant Lotus Ninh Kieu. You can sit in the outdoor seating among lots of greenery and the view of Can Tho Bridge. Another good café to hang out in is Zest Coffee which provides a huge seating area, cheap but good coffee, and Vietnamese food.

Can Tho is not known for its party scene, but due to its popularity with foreign tourists, there are some bars and night clubs. One of the most popular is the Iris Skybar on the rooftop of Iris Hotel. It has an incredible view of Can Tho city with a great list of beer, cocktails, wines, and spirits. Another great choice is L’Escale, located on the top of the Nam Bo Hotel. It is a French restaurant as well as an upscale bar where you can choose to sit at the veranda or in the wine cellar. 

Weather and Climate in Can Tho

Can Tho has a tropical wet and dry climate. The annual average temperature is 26.6 °C with the lowest of 19.7 °C and the highest of 34.4 °C. The rainy season lasts from May to November and the average temperature is around 26.7 °C. June to October has the highest humidity. Expect rain to fall every other day during this season. The dry season starts from December to April, with February and March as the driest months and the average temperature of the dry season is about 26.4 °C. 

Getting Around in Can Tho

International visitors usually arrive in Can Tho International Airport since the airport serves international flights to and from Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and Taipei. It is also the fastest way to travel around the country because there are also domestic flights to and from Hanoi, Da Lat, Da Nang, Hai Phong, and several other major cities in Vietnam. The most affordable and convenient way to travel around Vietnam is by flying with budget airlines such as VietJet Air.

The best way to move around the City is by motorbike taxis because they are inexpensive and will get you anywhere faster than any other mode of transportation. Taxis are also available; the most reliable taxis are the Mai Linh taxis and Happy Taxi. You can also download an app called Grab to hail motorbike taxis or private cars. If you wish to travel on the river, rent a boat service at Ninh Kieu Pier and there are also ferries if you do not want to rent a boat.

Work Visas in Can Tho

There are three types of visa that the Vietnam Immigration issue: tourist visa, business visa, and diplomatic and official visa. Other than a visa, you would need to have a work permit and residential card. The legislation of the work permit and residential card can change regularly, so it is best to always check the procedures at the nearest Vietnamese Embassy. Vietnam only allows companies to recruit foreign workers if there are no locals who meet the requirements for the job. Therefore, it is advisable to already arrange a job before coming to the country.

Additional Information

1. As the economic hub of Mekong River Delta, Can Tho has shown strong socio-economic performance, especially in 2018. The Vietnamese economy is one of the fastest in Southeast Asia and is expected to grow at around 6.7% in 2019.
2. Vietnamese Dong is the official currency. Although Vietnam had trouble with inflation in the past, the currency now stays relatively strong and 1USD converts to VND 23,297.
3. The official local language is Vietnamese and English is not widely spoken in the city, but there are several international companies that use English in the workplace.
4. People in Can Tho are very determined and hardworking and People usually wear simple and comfortable clothes to work. There are various public holidays in the city, including New Year’s Day, International Labor Day, and Vietnam Traditional Lunar New Year.