Phong Dien floating market is a quite famous tourist destination in Can Tho, with unique features of the Mekong Delta river, different from the bustle and noise of Cai Rang floating market, Phong Dien floating market, although not many boats, it still retains the traditional and idyllic features of the floating market, not being touristized.
Where is the Phong Dien floating market?
Located about 17km from the center of Can Tho, the Phong Dien floating market was formerly at the confluence of the river. However, now the market has been moved, about 800m from the old location, in the territory of Phong Dien Town. Below are specific instructions to get Phong Dien floating market:
1, By road: starting from the center of Can Tho city, you follow road 30/4, when moving to the roundabout, turn left onto road 3/2, continue to Cai Rang bridge, then go straight to provincial road 923. At this point, you just need to go straight 15km more to reach the floating market.
2, By waterway: For tourists who choose to go by waterway, you can go to Ninh Kieu wharf, then rent a boat to go straight to the floating market which takes only 30 minutes of sailing.
The best time to visit the floating market
Like other floating markets in the Mekong Delta; there are many sampans gather in Phong Dien floating market here around 4 – 5 o’clock until about 9 o’clock. So, if you intend to visit the floating market, you need to come here from the very early morning. You should come to the market early, around 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. – this is the time when trading activities are vibrant and the market is most crowded.
Besides, at this time, the sun has not yet risen so the air is fresh and cool.
What is the uniqueness of the Phong Dien Floating Market?
Not so many travelers who know about this market so you can avoid a huge number of tourists and completely relax in the authentic atmosphere.
Unlike Cai Rang floating market, which mainly sells agricultural products, Phong Dien floating market is more plentiful. From fruits of the local gardens in Phong Dien such as oranges, tangerines, mangoes, milk nipples, plums, durian, mangosteen … to household appliances, grocery stores, fixing machines…
The local people use only small sampans for trading and traveling, so it is hard to see any big boats in here.
At Cai Rang floating market, many merchandisers from other areas will come here and buy the products and sell them back to other rural areas. On the other hand, the Phong Dien floating market was founded as a truly retail floating market of Mekong Delta.
Same as many other floating markets in the Mekong delta, the sellers here use a pole to hang their products for marketing purposes, especially with fruits. Today, although many roads have to develop to the remote rural areas of Can Tho city the floating markets continue to exist, creates a unique cultural feature of the people in the delta.
“Must try” experiences when going to Phong Dien floating market
Enjoy breakfast on a boat
If you have the opportunity to go to Cai Rang pot market, you must definitely experience the feeling of having breakfast on boats floating on the water. Boats loaded with food and cooking utensils began selling at dawn. You just need to sit still and call any boat to enjoy a breakfast rich in Western flavors.
Breakfast dishes at Cai Rang floating market help you enjoy the unforgettable flavors of rustic Western dishes.
Here, you will be free to choose many delicious dishes with bold characteristics of Western cuisine such as: vermicelli with fish sauce, noodles… The feeling of eating while watching the bustling scene of the morning and the sound of the bells. The salesman will certainly be interesting.
Experience enjoying coffee at “floating cafes”
“Floating cafe” at Phong Dien floating market will bring you a special taste.
With prices starting from only 10,000 VND/cup, you can immediately try a delicious cup of coffee, enjoy it, and watch the rhythm of a new day on the Can Tho River.
Check-in for “cool” photos on floating market
It would be a mistake if you travel to the floating market without a virtual live album and the bustling scene of boats and boats at the floating market. It would be wonderful to wake up in a far away place, welcoming the sunrise on the gentle Hau River. The rays of the morning sunrise will definitely bring you a photo without dead angles.
Coming to the market, take advantage of the time when your boat is weaving between large and small boats full of colorful fruits; take lots of photos. This scene will definitely help you take the most unique and perfect photos.
Phong Dien is a small floating market which takes less than 2 hours for exploring. Therefore, you should make a plan with more destinations and activities to your itinerary to make your trip more diverse such as visit fruit gardens in Phong Dien, Truc Lam Phuong Nam Monastery…which located next to the market.
Source: collected by An
