Tourists fall into river at Cai Rang floating market despite suspension order

Every day, many tourist boats still carry passengers to the Khoi My stop on Cai Rang floating market, Cai Rang district, Can Tho, even though this stop has been suspended.

On the morning of March 26, Mr. Nguyen Minh Tuan, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Can Tho City, said that he would ask Cai Rang district to re-examine after receiving information and video clips about the reckless activities of the Khoi My stop at Cai Rang floating market.

Despite the suspension order, the Khoi My stop at Cai Rang floating market is still operating to welcome visitors every day. Photo taken on the morning of March 26.

Meanwhile, at 7:30 a.m. the same day, a series of tourist boats were still carrying passengers to the Khoi My stop on Cai Rang floating market, Cai Rang district.

This is a stopover - a floating house that operates as a tourist attraction and sells specialties at Cai Rang floating market, but the bridge collapsed, causing many tourists to fall into the river in mid-February 2025.

A woman who works as a tourist boat driver at Cai Rang floating market, when asked if she could take tourists to the Khoi My stop, confirmed: "Of course. They still pick up tourists every day."

Image of nearly 10 tourists falling into the river at the Khoi My stop due to a collapsed bridge. Photo cut from clip.

Previously, on February 18, Mr. Nguyen Hoang On, Chief Inspector of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Can Tho City, signed a decision to administratively sanction Mr. Tran Chi (born in 1989, owner of Khoi My stopover) for the act of "Not warning of danger to tourists".

Mr. Tri was fined 7.5 million VND, and the Khoi My rest stop was suspended for two months to remedy the consequences, limitations, and shortcomings.

However, Khoi My facility is still operating normally to welcome visitors until now.

Speaking to the press, Mr. Tran Chi affirmed: "I only took a few days off to repair the damaged approach bridge. Once it was deemed safe, I put it back into operation."

According to Mr. Chi, although the iron barge he is using as a floating house to serve his business of welcoming hundreds of tourists every day has expired its inspection and has not been re-inspected, it is still the "best" place in Cai Rang floating market.

"Other points are worse than mine. Thanks to the city guys for creating favorable conditions, if we follow the law, no one can operate in this floating market," said Mr. Chi.

Khoi My stop is still operating to receive guests despite the two-month suspension order.

On February 16, a short video clip appeared on social media recording the scene of many tourists falling into the river while visiting Cai Rang floating market.

Fortunately, people standing nearby and the cruise ship captains joined in the rescue, bringing the passengers onto the raft and ship safely, without anyone being injured.

On the morning of March 26, there were still many boats carrying tourists to the Khoi My stop for sightseeing and shopping.

Afterwards, the interdisciplinary inspection team led by the Chief Inspector of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism worked with the owner of Khoi My and discovered that this stop did not have a business license; the approach bridge area was welded with an iron frame but did not ensure safety; there were no signs warning of dangerous areas, deep water (about 10m and fast flowing water); the means of making the floating raft was an iron barge (10m wide, 20m long, 42 tons, no engine) but the inspection had expired.

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/diem-dung-chan-co-du-khach-roi-xuong-song-o-cho-noi-cai-rang-bat-chap-lenh-dinh-chi-192250326132046081.htm