Cai Rang Floating Market

It is said that “not being in Cai Rang floating market means not knowing the land of Mekong Delta. Cai Rang floating market, the most famous floating markets of the Southwest, specializes in selling fruits and agricultural products of the whole region.This floating market, although not the largest of all, has more commercial activities, thus providing the chance to see the hustle and bustle and business of hundreds of small boats, motorized boat and even canoes filled chock-full of fruits, vegetables, rice (excellent in this area of the mekong rice), all types of food, clothes and even cosmetic products.

The Cai Rang Floating Market, the largest wholesale floating market in the Mekong Delta, begins at about 05:00 and operates until midday, so you have to get up early if you want to visit the floating market at the most exciting moment.

The market is about six kilometers from Can Tho, so it takes about a 30-minute boat ride. While cruising on the river, you will see painted boats which are anchored along the shore, merchant vessels and houses built on stilts over the water.

During the early morning market hours, the waterway becomes a maze of hundreds of boats packed with mangos, bananas, coconuts, papayas, pineapples, and even smuggled goods like cigarettes. Sellers do not have to cry out about their goods because their goods can be seen in a distance and their cries would not be heard in the vastness of the river and the noise of boat engines. There are some small boats that sell beer, wine and soft drinks to serve sellers and visitors.

Sellers usually place a long stick on a very visible part of the boat with samples of the product they sell, so everyone can see it from a distance.This stick is the symbol of the Cai Rang floating market stores. Of course they cannot hang on a bowl of noodle; therefore, if you want to eat, you should look for any delicious smell.