One time to Cai Rang floating market!

“Can Tho, white rice, clear water - Whoever goes there will not want to leave” - From the white sand and golden sunshine of Binh Thuan, we had the opportunity to visit Tay Do land before the new year 2024, with a time of only about 6 hours. The first choice when arriving here is to experience Cai Rang floating market, a special tourist attraction of Cai Rang district, Can Tho city.

With a ticket price of 100,000 VND/person, at more than 5 am, we arrived at Ninh Kieu wharf, right in the city center to get off the boat, put on life jackets and started the journey along the Can Tho River to Cai Rang floating market, about 7 km from the center. Although it was still dark, the hustle and bustle of boats and canoes carrying agricultural products back and forth on the river was extremely bustling. The sound of engines, the sound of water waves, the "sweet" invitations to customers of the owners of small boats running close to the boat to sell goods. According to the introduction, Cai Rang floating market starts from 2 - 3 am, is busiest around 4 - 6 am and trading activities take place all day.

Indeed, in the cool early morning weather in the river area, along both sides of the river there is a dense presence of cargo ships anchored in place. On board are countless types of agricultural products such as pumpkins, watermelons, oranges, and fresh green grapefruits. There are also floating houses and restaurants, where people live and do business. Mr. Hai, the driver of the service boat that took us, said that Cai Rang floating market is a wholesale market specializing in buying and selling vegetables on the Can Tho River. This is where many cargo ships and boats from the provinces of the Mekong Delta gather, each province is identified by the license plate attached to the vehicle. Some ships and boats anchor to trade for a week, some for five or three days and then go elsewhere. If we observe, we see that the selling boats will leave a random pot of plants, distinguishing them from the buying boats.

When seeing the appearance of the tourist boat, small boats loaded with fruits such as rambutan, longan, mango, star apple approached, inviting tourists to try them and offering an average price of 30,000 - 90,000 VND/kg depending on the type. Besides the boats selling fruit, there are also boats selling tea, coffee, and soft drinks to invite customers right on the river. All transactions are done through the windows of the service boat. Immersing in the bustling atmosphere of the market, tourists can observe and learn about the activities of families with many generations living together on the boat. Each boat is a house on the river with flower pots, pets, and full amenities. According to the introduction of the boat driver, their life on the river lacks nothing, except... the land book.

Agricultural products are sold on boats.

The first time I experienced Cai Rang floating market, immersed in the sweet music of the Mekong Delta and interacted with the people here, I felt their sincerity and hard work. The journey to experience the floating market only lasted 2-3 hours, but left a deep impression on me and many other tourists.

Leaving the vast and long Can Tho River, I suddenly thought of the remoteness and isolation when mentioning the Mekong Delta. But after going, I saw the development of transport infrastructure, with expressways from Binh Thuan to Ho Chi Minh City, Trung Luong - My Thuan expressway and countless large and small bridges, helping to connect regions easily. With such constant development, the Mekong Delta has now changed a lot, gradually reducing travel by waterway. Cai Rang floating market in particular, with its unique cultural features, has been attracting tourists from all over the region. This place was recognized by the Ministry of Culture - Sports and Tourism as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2016.

From Can Tho River, I think of the Ca Ty River winding through the heart of Phan Thiet coastal city. I remember the exciting experiences of sliding down the sand dunes under the bright yellow sunlight... Perhaps, each region has its own unique features that are hard to find anywhere else, creating a tourist highlight for each locality, which needs to be promoted and preserved...

For me, Cai Rang floating market - once visited, it is unforgettable when returning!

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