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Except for a minuscule fishing hamlet (Tran De) and an offshore island (Hon Khoai), Nam Can stakes its claim as the southernmost town in Vietnam. Few tourists come to this isolated community, which survives mainly from the shrimp industry.
At the southern tip of the delta is the Ca Mau Nature Reserve, sometimes referred to as Ngoc Hien Bird Sanctuary. It's one of the least developed and most protected parts of the Mekong Delta region. Shrimp farming is prohibited here. Access is by boat.
At the southern end of the reserve is the tiny fishing village of Tran De. A public ferry connects Tran De to Nam Can. If you are obsessed with reaching Vietnam's southern tip, take a boat from Tran De to Hon Khoai Island.
If you're looking to visit another remote spot, you can hire a boat to take you to Dat Mui (Cape Ca Mau), the southwestern tip of Vietnam. However, few people find this worthwhile.
Sleeping
Cam Ha Hotel (Tell: 877 235; r US$15; This is the only decent accommodation option in Nam Can. so you'll have little choice unless you plan on camping.
Getting There & Away
A road connecting Ca Mau to Nam Can is shown on most maps of Vietnam, but it's little more than wishful thinking. Basically, it's a muddy track that's underwater most of the time, though some have attempted it by motorbike.
The trip to Nam Can from Ca Mau is best done by speedboat (around 40,000d, one hour). These boats depart from Ferry Pier Can Ganh Hao and Ferry Pier B in Ca Mau.