How to Pronounce Cần Thơ

Meaning and Context

Cần Thơ, officially designated as a centrally-governed municipality, is the largest city and the de facto capital of the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. Established as an urban center in 2004, it serves as the crucial economic, cultural, and transportation hub of the fertile delta, often celebrated as Vietnam's "rice bowl." The city's identity is intrinsically linked to its vast network of sông Cửu Long (Mekong River) distributaries and kênh rạch (canals), which sustain its renowned floating markets like Cái Răng and Phong Điền. These vibrant aquatic marketplaces, alongside lush fruit orchards and rice paddies, underscore the region's immense agricultural importance. Beyond its rural charm, Cần Thơ is a growing modern center with key institutions like Cần Thơ University, driving development in the Đồng bằng sông Cửu Long (Mekong Delta) while preserving its unique văn hóa miền Tây (Western Region culture). Its Ninh Kiều wharf and Bình Thủy ancient house stand as testaments to its historical significance as a riverine trading port.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The standard and correct spelling is Cần Thơ, which includes two separate words and the diacritical marks (the "hat" on the 'a' in "Cần" and the cross on the 'o' in "Thơ"). Common errors arise from omitting these critical tone marks, leading to misspellings like "Can Tho" or "Can tho." While "Can Tho" is an accepted and widely used Anglicized form, especially in international contexts and for search queries without diacritics, it is technically an incomplete transliteration. Other frequent typos include merging the words into one, such as "Cantho" or "Cầnthơ," or misspelling the second word as "Tho" without the cross. It is also sometimes mistakenly called "Thành phố Cần Thơ" (Cần Thơ City), which is its full official name but is often shortened in common usage.

Example Sentences

No visit to the Mekong Delta is complete without experiencing the bustling dawn activity at Cần Thơ's iconic floating markets.

We took a small boat at sunrise to navigate the intricate canals surrounding Cần Thơ, passing by countless fruit-laden orchards.

The strategic development of Cần Thơ's deep-water port aims to enhance export capabilities for the entire delta region.

Her research at Cần Thơ University focuses on sustainable agricultural practices vital to the Mekong Delta's future.

The unique culinary flavors of Cần Thơ, from its hearty lẩu mắm (fermented fish hotpot) to its fresh river prawns, draw food enthusiasts from across the country.

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