Considered as a place of exchange of fruits and agricultural products of all kinds, the floating markets are also the attractive destinations for domestic and foreign tourists during their stay in the Mekong Delta.
1. Floating market of Cai Rang in Cân Tho
Cai Rang is the floating market on the eponymous river, about 6 km from downtown Cân Tho by road and 30 minutes by boat from the Ninh Kiêu pier in the city center. It is one of the most famous floating markets in the Mekong Delta, and a favorite destination for many tourists when visiting southern Vietnam. This market is a trading place for fruits and agricultural products of the Mekong Delta, including Nam Roi grapefruits from Vinh Long, “pink mandarins” from Lai Vung and durians from Cai Mon.
In Cai Rang, traders gather very early from 3am to 8-9am. The market is most crowded and lively around 6-8am. All kinds of fruits and agricultural products are sold on the boats. Generally, each boat sells exclusively one type of fruit or vegetable. At the front of each boat, there are the famous stalks, on which the wholesalers attach the products for sale so that they can be identified from a distance.
This market is not active or very little animated during the Lunar New Year holidays (1st and 2nd of the Lunar New Year) or the Doan Ngo Festival (which takes place every year on the fifth day of the fifth month) .
Besides commercial boats, there are also motor boats (service boats) carrying tourists to the Cai Rang floating market. The price is about 500.000 dôngs per boat, during this trip, you can see the sunrise at Cân Tho bridge.
2. Floating market of Nga Nam in Soc Trang
Located in commune 1, chief town of Nga Nam, Thanh Tri district, about 60 km from the center of Soc Trang city, Nga Nam is one of the oldest and liveliest markets in the Mekong Delta. The floating market of Nga Nam dates back to the creation of the Phung Hiêp river canal dug by the French. Many merchants started to gather there to trade. This market gradually became a place of exchange of the products of the inhabitants of the South. The market is located at the intersection of five rivers and five different directions: Cà Mau, Vinh Quoi, Long My, Thanh Tri and Phung Hiêp.
Like other floating markets in Southwest Vietnam, Nga Nam opens at 3am and closes until 8am. Most agricultural products of the region are sold in Nga Nam, including rice, vegetables, fresh seafood.
Rustic and bold dishes from the southwest region are also offered here. At low prices, dishes such as rice porridge, noodle soup with sauce of different fish, traditional soup from My Tho (southern province of Tien Giang), coffee… are very popular with tourists.
3. Floating market of Cai Bè in Tiên Giang
On the great river of Tiên (front branch of the Mekong), the floating market of Cai Bè is located near the islet of Tân Phong. It is a must-see attraction in Tiên Giang province. Compared to other floating markets, Cai Be is smaller but has its own particularity: open day and night. So, very convenient for tourists.
This market gathers very early at about 3 to 4 am, the most crowded and lively time is around 5 – 6 am. This is also the perfect time for tourists to visit and explore this floating market. Travelers have the opportunity to witness the commercial activities on the river, learn more about the life of the Mekong Delta people. This market usually closes at 8pm. If you like silence and calmness, you should go there from 4:00 pm, when the sun is less strong.
The products of Cai Be floating market are very diverse: fruits, poultry, seafood, household items and fabrics. Tourists can buy fruits such as tangerine, orange, grapefruit from Long Co, plum, guava, cat mango, longan from Thach Kiet… or many specialties such as coconut candy, coconut soap, coconut handicrafts…
4. Trà Ôn floating market in Vinh Long
Trà Ôn is the last floating market on the Hâu River – a later branch of the Mekong River before it flows into the East Sea. It is located in the eponymous district, Vinh Long province, and is an ancient market associated with many cultural features of the Mekong Delta.
The Trà Ôn floating market opens all day and its most crowded time is around 5 – 6 am. The crowding of the market depends on the rising water, when the water rises, there are many boats in this market.
The most traded products in this floating market are ordinary fruits: bananas, guavas, tangerines, oranges, etc., to more expensive fruits such as durian, mangosteen, cat mango, grapefruits etc. In recent years, Trà Ôn floating market has become an attractive tourist destination.
5. Floating market of Nga Bay in Han Giang
Nga Bây floating market (also known as Phung Hiêp market) is one of the most famous markets in Hâu Giang province. As its name suggests, the market is located at the intersection of seven different rivers: Cai Côn, Mang Sa, Bung Tàu, Soc Trang, Xeo Môn, Lai Hiêu and Xeo Dong. It is a place of exchange of products of the southern people, but also a destination that attracts many domestic and foreign tourists.
Nga Bay is a wholesale market with all kinds of products: fruits, agricultural products, handicrafts, household items, sedge mats. The market also has an area selling snakes, turtles, birds, iguanas, squirrels… As the Lunar New Year approaches, boats carrying ornamental flowers, yellow apricot trees, bonsai trees … are also seen on the river channels.
If you have the opportunity to visit this place, enjoy a cup of fragrant coffee on the edge of a boat, listening to the sound of the đờn ca tài tử (amateur singing) from the South or watching women in traditional Mekong Delta clothing. These are unforgettable memories of the Nga Bây market.
6. Floating market of Phong Diên in Cân Tho
Located about 17 km from downtown Cân Tho, Phong Diên is one of the two famous floating markets of Cân Tho. Unlike the Cai Rang market, the smaller Phong Dien market still retains its rustic and authentic characteristics.
Early in the morning, small traders gather at the market to buy vegetables and fruits, then transport them to small canals in the area and sell them to the locals. The clearer the sky, the more boats there are, the more crowded the market is around 5:30 to 6:30. During the 14th and 15th of the lunar month, the market will be busier than usual.
Previously, the floating market of Phong Dien was located at the confluence of the eponymous river, but it is now relocated to a new place located 800 meters away in Nhon Ai commune. The new place has favorable conditions for the commercial exchange of boats and beautiful landscapes.
Thanks to the fertility of the alluvial soils, the production of fruit trees in Phong Dien is very abundant: oranges, mandarins, mangoes, plums, durians, mangosteens…
In addition to fruits, one can come to the market to look for household items, production tools and all kinds of goods.
The market also has extraordinary culinary specialties such as duck egg, grilled pork vermicelli, traditional soup from My Tho…
7. Floating market of Long Xuyen in An Giang
Long Xuyen floating market is not as big as other markets, but it is a must-see place for tourists who want to discover the peaceful and preserved characteristics of the landscape and the daily life of the inhabitants. About 2 km from the city of Long Xuyen, this market is located on the Hau River. At the floating market of Long Xuyen, there are almost no tourists.
The main agricultural products are sold in boats at the market such as vegetables, fruits… There are also small boats that sell food or drinks. On these small boats, delicious local dishes such as fish vermicelli or banh da lon (a kind of sponge cake steamed with mung beans) are sold…
The goods are not expensive, the inhabitants are friendly and honest. It is a good place for tourists who want to discover the quiet and authentic characteristics of a Mekong floating market.
