Rough Guides, a British travel magazine, ranked 19 food centres throughout the world that visitors just must see. Cai Rang Floating Market is the only Southeast Asian representation to make the cut. In the Mekong Delta, where river trade has persisted for centuries, this market is the largest of its type.

Overview of Cai Rang Floating Market

• Location: 46 Hai Ba Trung Street, Tan An, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho City

The Cai Rang Floating Market, also known as the Cái Răng Floating Market, is one of the Mekong Delta's oldest cultural destinations because it has been operating for almost a century on its current location. At a time when streets and vehicles were not yet constructed, the Mekong Delta Floating Market was initially established to satisfy the demand of the inhabitants for the purpose of trading and exchanging items within the region. However, the floating market continues to exist and continue to flourish even though the road traffic networks have been significantly advanced at the present time. 

Because of the vast variety of products that is available for purchase from a fleet of boats that are vividly decorated, Cai Rang is becoming an increasingly appealing destination for tourists. Traders congregate beginning in the wee hours of the morning to purchase fresh produce and fruits, handicrafts, and daily needed home goods to resell them elsewhere, resulting in a lively and joyous atmosphere. When many boats are clogging the river, the busiest time of day is between 5:30 and 6:30 in the morning.

Vendors don't need to make a commotion about their wares because their wares can be observed from a considerable distance, and their cries would not be audible due to the immensity of the river and the cacophony of the boat motors. To provide service to market-goers and guests, smaller boats that offer beverages such as beer, wine, and soft drinks move among the other boats. To ensure potential purchasers can see what they are selling from a greater distance, vendors secure their wares to a tall pole. 

More than enough seasonal products are loaded onto each and every boat. The activities at the market allow tourists to learn about the cultural characteristics of people who live in the south. One can make out the market in the distance; it does not appear to be very large; rather, it appears to be a collection of boats. All boats have their wares displayed on the masts so that you can see what merchandise they have to offer.

>>> See more: MEKONG DELTA REAL LIFE TOUR | CAI RANG FLOATING MARKET TOUR CANTHO

Best time to visit Cai Rang Floating Market

The southern region of Vietnam is characterised by only two primary seasons: the rainy season, which lasts from May to November, and the dry season, which lasts from December to April. This contrasts the northern region of Vietnam, which has four distinct seasons. Because the climate in Vietnam is relatively mild, you can visit Cai Rang whenever you like. 

Different experiences will be available to you during each season. You will get the opportunity to sample a wide variety of native fruits, including as rambutan, durian, and mangosteen, during the dry season, which is the opposite of the rainy season, which provides you with a peaceful journey due to the cool climate.

What to do in Cai Rang Floating Market?

Enjoy local food

Visit the Cai Rang floating market. You will not only have the opportunity to observe how people purchase and sell goods, but you will also have the ability to experience the traditional way of life of the Vietnamese people by enjoying a wide variety of street dishes such as pho, bun rieu, com tam, and hu tieu. Their cost is really low, coming in at just 1 dollar, and you will undoubtedly be able to satisfy your hunger with a satisfying lunch.

Taking in the folk music of southern Vietnam

At the Cai Rang Floating Market in Can Tho, one of the most anticipated events is that every weekend (Saturday and Sunday), a boat full of artists would travel along the river and perform "đờn ca tài tử," which is the folk music of Southern Vietnam. It is believed that Đờn ca tài tử is a reflection of the way of life of people from the South who reside and employ themselves in the Mekong Delta region. Its tune helps the locals convey all of their feelings and emotions, as well as their own perseverance, generosity, and bravery, and it has become increasingly popular among a variety of tourists, including those from the United States and other countries.

Exploring the fascinating trading approach 

It seems as though the shouts of the vendors at this crowded floating market are being suffocated by the vastness of the river and are being lost in the din of the boat engines. The unfavorable circumstances appear to be favorable for developing a novel advertising strategy: the vendors advertise their items from the top of a tall pole attached to their boats.

A tall upright pole is attached to each boat, and samples of the items that are for sale are hung on it. This allows the vendors to avoid having to shout out what they are selling, and it also allows purchasers to easily see the items offered on that boat from a considerable distance. Simply by checking up, one will be able to determine exactly which boat is available to provide the things that they are looking for.

Tips for traveling Cai Rang Floating Market

• If you want to protect yourself from the scorching heat of the sun throughout the day, make sure to bring a hat, both sunglasses and sunscreen.
• Bring  VND cash rather to using credit cards, as the majority of vendors prefer to conduct business with cash.
• Get to Cai Rang early so that you may see the sunrise and savour the meal while it is still at its peak of freshness.
• If you want to avoid the crowds and have the best possible experience at Cai Rang Market, you should take a fishing boat from the area.
• Reservations for lodging should be made in advance. 

In the Mekong Delta, Vietnam, the Cai Rang Floating Market is an attraction that should be noticed. Observing how the inhabitants have grown up and lived along this river will provide you with a unique experience. Whether it be the friendly and welcoming nature of the natives or the picturesque scene of people buying and selling products on boats, you will undoubtedly fall in love with this fantastic region.

>>> See more: THINGS TO DO IN CAN THO, VIETNAM