Given the Mekong Delta’s unique culture, it is impossible not to mention the floating market, a market type found nowhere else. And the Cai Rang Floating Market (Vietnamese: chợ nổi Cái Răng, chợ nổi means floating market) is the busiest, most typical, and most interesting market. On March 10, 2016, the floating market was officially recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage site.
How to get to Cai Rang Floating Market?
Cai Rang Floating Market is located on a branch of the Hau River that runs through Cai Rang Ward, about 6 km from the city center. It takes around 15 minutes by car or 30 minutes by boat from Ninh Kieu Pier. But most tourists choose to travel by boat so they can admire the charming landscape on both sides of the river. The scene of people’s activities on both sides of the river taking place creates a very peaceful feeling.
If you are traveling from Ho Chi Minh City, it takes more than 2 hours by car; you can buy a ticket at Western Bus Station or book a private car to Can Tho, especially if you have a large group.
The best time to explore Cai Rang Floating Market
The best time to explore Cai Rang Floating Market in Can Tho is from December to April next year, as it is usually sunny and has little rain, making it easy to visit the market. From May to December, Can Tho is in the rainy season, so market trading sometimes has to be temporarily suspended.
However, if you want to discover a special specialty season that only exists in the Mekong Delta, you should come here from August to the end of November. This period is also known as the flood season. The market is almost inactive on Lunar New Year (1st and 2nd of Tết holiday), and Mid-year Festival – May 5th (lunar calendar).
Activities in Cai Rang Floating Market start very early, when it’s still misty; hundreds of boats from all sides of the river gather at the floating market. Therefore, the ideal time to visit the Cai Rang Floating Market is from 5:00 am to 8:00 am, when it is busiest; you can also watch the beautiful sunrise right on the romantic river.
How is Cai Rang floating market unique?
You will be overwhelmed by the scene of dozens of boats parked close together, along with the busy trading activity and the extremely bustling, cheerful atmosphere in the delta river style. Especially in the last days of the year, Cai Rang floating market is even more prominent with many boats loaded with full blossoming flowers.
In the market, each boat will sell a different item, from fresh, delicious fruits to household appliances for daily use. The boat owners will hang the items they sell on a pole so buyers can easily spot them from afar.
This form of “selling goods” is a unique trade culture that only floating markets have – a way of advertising products that is not noisy and hasty but brings exciting things to tourists as well as customers.
At the market, you can enjoy the cool breeze while sampling a variety of fruits and traditional Southern dishes such as Bánh tét, bánh canh (rice noodle soup), bún riêu (Vietnamese soup of clear stock and rice vermicelli), and bún mắm (fermented thick Vietnamese vermicelli soup).
And although it is a river trade but the ingredients are still diverse same as on land. The menu of drinks is also very various such as soymilk, black coffee, milk coffee, coconut water, and teas … at very affordable prices.
The dishes on Cai Rang floating market are simple and rustic retaining the soul of the delta river. Eating here, you won’t be given a chair or a table, just simply sit down a long wooden bar across the two sides of the boat. It’s the local way to enjoy the food – unforgettable experiences, is that right?
Sailing around the market, you will see many boats filled with attractive fruits such as mango, durian, watermelon, pineapple, and mangosteen … up and down the river.
Cai Rang Floating Market is also a wholesale market, especially for the region’s fruits and agricultural products. Local people and those in surrounding areas often use small or medium boats to transport agricultural products from here for consumption. The large boats are from fruit dealers who buy fruit everywhere.
Immersed in the bustling atmosphere of the market, you can observe and learn about the activities of many commercial families with many generations living on boats. There are boats like “mobile apartments” on the river with decorative flower pots, pets, full amenities such as color TV, disc player, sound system … even motorbikes parked on boats.
Forming for more than 100 years and facing the emergence of countless on-land markets and commercial centers, Cai Rang floating market still retains its inherent features. Therefore, this place is definitely an interesting destination for those who love discovering new things and want to learn about the culture of the Southern region
Useful information about Cai Rang Floating Market
- Location: Tan An Ward, Ninh Kieu Ward, Can Tho city.
- Best for families, couples, and solo
- Best time to visit: Daily 04:00 – 10:00 am
- Other tourist spots nearby: Binh Thuy temple, Phong Dien floating market, Bang Lang stork sanctuary, Truc Lam Phuong Nam Monastery, Binh Thuy ancient, Ong Temple…
Source: collected by An
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