Formed in the early 20th century to serve the buying and selling needs in the region, today, Cai Rang floating market is a destination of interest to many tourists. The floating market is located about 5km from the center of Can Tho city.

Cai Rang Market usually opens at dawn, and is busiest between 6 and 8 a.m. Tourists can take a boat ride to watch the sunrise, admire the market, and enjoy a typical breakfast of "shaken" crab vermicelli soup and "shaken" noodles.

"The Cai Rang floating market's vermicelli and crab soup is so delicious"; "If you go to Cai Rang, you must enjoy a bowl of vermicelli and crab soup"; "Try a bowl of vermicelli and crab soup to warm your stomach",... are the familiar calls of vendors at Cai Rang floating market.

According to Ms. Pham Thi Ngoc, a person who has made a living for 25 years on the floating market, the reason people call it "shaken" vermicelli and "shaken" hu tieu is because the seller and buyer both sit on a boat swaying back and forth in the middle of the river.

"The first time customers try a bowl of vermicelli soup, their hands shake as they hold it. Especially when a big ship passes by, the waves hit the side of the boat and it shakes violently, making customers feel dizzy. But people find it very interesting," Ms. Ngoc humorously said.

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Ms. Ngoc has been selling "shaken" vermicelli soup and "shaken" rice noodles at the floating market for 25 years. Photo: Linh Trang

The noodles are very clear, smooth and chewy, made from delicious, fragrant rice from the West. The broth has a sweet taste from simmered pork bones, some places add a few dried squid, dried shrimp with scallion oil, white radish, fried onions and finely chopped green onions.

The broth is clear and fragrant. The bowl of noodles is served with boiled pork, thinly sliced ​​beef balls, a few bean sprouts, and fresh green chives and basil.

The noodle soup at Cai Rang floating market (Can Tho) was once praised by famous Korean chef Jun Ho Kyun on EBS TV. The image of chef Jun Ho Kyun slurping up a bowl of noodles, praising the dish as delicious, and after finishing eating, asking to follow the owner home to learn the secret made many Vietnamese audiences feel excited.

This dish also impressed world-famous chef Gordon Ramsay in 2012.

Broth is the "soul" of vermicelli soup and rice noodles. Photo: Linh Trang

Bun rieu at Cai Rang market was once introduced by travel site Skyscanner as a dish you must try once in your life.

The bowl of noodles has eye-catching colors: red from tomatoes - annatto oil, green from green onions, cilantro, herbs combined with meat, shrimp, blood, heart, liver, meatballs,... After pouring hot crab broth, the seller will add a little fragrant shrimp paste, a little spicy chili.

Because of the rocking boats, the sellers have to be very skillful, just a little carelessness and the food will tilt and spill.

Tourists often tell each other to "eat while keeping their balance like a circus act". Those who are not used to it will easily get dizzy after finishing a bowl of "shaken" noodles.

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The taste of vermicelli soup and rice noodles on floating market boats is not too different. However, tourists are excited about the feeling of rocking and drifting. Photo: Linh Trang

A full breakfast usually costs 40,000 - 50,000 VND. Boats floating in the market also sell soft drinks, fruit juices, coffee at 10,000 - 15,000 VND/coconut, 15,000 VND/glass of "shaken" iced coffee,...

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Tourists can enjoy vermicelli and rice noodles at floating restaurants near the market. Photo: Linh Trang

Visitors can travel to Cai Rang floating market by boat from Ninh Kieu wharf in about 30 minutes or drive to the boat dock near the market in about 20 minutes.

Located on Nguyen Thiep Street, the sidewalk noodle stall called "Deaf Lady's Crab Noodle Soup" is a famous late-night eatery for Hanoi diners.