Cai Rang Floating Market in Can Tho, Vietnam

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Once visiting Cai Rang floating market located in Can Tho province, you will not be surprised by the bustle and excitement of this market. During the early morning market hours, large boats anchor and create lanes for smaller boats to weave in and out. The waterway becomes a maze of hundreds of boats loaded with mangoes, bananas, papayas, pineapples, even contraband like cigarettes.





Sellers do not have to shout about their goods because their goods can be seen from afar and not heard in the vast river and noise of boats. Small boats selling beer, wine and soft drinks go among other boats to serve marketers and tourists. Sellers tie their goods to a tall pole so buyers can see from a distance what they are selling.

Each boat is loaded with seasonal goods. Activities at the market are also an opportunity for visitors to learn about the culture of the Southern people. You can see the market in the distance, it doesn't look like much, just a large mass of boats. All boats display their wares on the mast so you can see what they have available.
 

Cai Rang Floating Market is open all day but is busiest from sunrise to around 9am. The main items sold here are agricultural products and specialties of Cai Rang Town, Chau Thanh District and surrounding areas such as dried fish, coconut candy, fish sauce, milk... Each boat has a a long vertical pole at the bow of the boat, on which hung samples of goods for sale.
 

Besides seeing how people shop on Cai Rang floating market, you also have the opportunity to experience the rustic Vietnamese lifestyle by sampling a variety of street foods such as pho, vermicelli, broken rice and noodle soup. . Their prices are very cheap, only about 1 USD, surely you can fill your stomach with a hearty meal.
 

Unlike the Northern part of Vietnam where there are 4 distinct seasons, the Southern one has only 2 major seasons: the rainy season (from May to November) and the dry season (from December to April). The weather in Vietnam is quite mild, so you can visit Cai Rang whenever you want. 

Each season will bring you different experience. If the rainy season gives you a relaxing trip because of the cool atmosphere, the dry one gives you a chance to taste many native fruits like rambutan, durian and mangosteen.
 

If you are the type of person who wants to challenge yourself in such a new place, traveling to Cai Rang market by yourself is an appropriate choice for you. First, if you are outside Ho Chi Minh City, you have to book a domestic flight ticket from Da Nang or Hanoi to come here. Then, take a taxi to Ninh Kieu Wharf to buy a ticket to Cai Rang, about 2 USD to 4 USD per person. If you go in a group, the price will be cheaper.
 

It is not difficult to buy a tour of Cai Rang market today. There are many travel agencies that offer tours to the Mekong Delta with prices ranging from 30 USD to 200 USD. However, you need to carefully check the tour schedule before booking to choose the one that best suits your schedule.
 

- Don't forget to come to Cai Rang early to watch the sunrise and eat the freshest food
- You're better off taking a local fishing boat to avoid the crowds and get the best experience at Cai Rang market
- Bring an umbrella, hat and sunscreen to avoid the hot sun during the day