Cai Rang Floating Market is the most famous and largest floating market in the Mekong Delta. The market is a unique culture of the local people living along this mighty river. Instead of shopping in town, they shop and barter on the river which is more convenient to access by waterway.
The floating market is located on Can Tho River (part of Hau River), Cai Rang District – about 6 km from the center of Can Tho town towards Soc Trang, or about 45 minutes from Ninh Kieu Quay by boat.
He is one of the most beautiful floating markets in the Mekong Delta
In 2016, Cai Rang Floating Market was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage. The market has also been voted as one of the most impressive markets in the world by the UK’s Rough Guide.
Once you visit the Mekong, the floating market is a kind of things you should not miss in your travel plan. To experience Cai Rang at its best, get up early and take a boat tour, it’s definitely worth your day visit.
History of Cai Rang Floating Market
The market, which flourished for more than a century, has been a center of trade in Can Tho city and its neighboring provinces, such as An Giang, Vinh Long, Dong Thap, Tra Vinh and Soc Trang. It was formed when roads and transportation had not yet been developed.
The name of this market has been around for a long time, but its origin is unclear. Legendarily, the name comes from the teeth of a large crocodile which were on the river bank. So the land was called Cai Rang (means tooth). Another theory mentioned in a book related to the southern language, is that Cai Rang has its origin from the Khmer language – “karan” means a molded clay stove. The Khmers made a lot of “karan” and sold them all over this country. Since then, locals pronounce “karan” in Cai Rang.
The need to exchange agricultural products and basic things connected local populations by boats on rivers.
Today, even though the road network has expanded significantly, the Cai Rang Floating Market continues to grow and brings value to the people of the country and the region in terms of economy, culture and tourism.
Weather in Can Tho
Unlike the North of Vietnam where there are 4 distinct seasons, the South has only 2 main seasons: the rainy season (from May to November) and the dry season (from December to April). The climate in Vietnam is quite mild, so you can visit Cai Rang at any time of the year. Each season, of course, offers a different experience.
Traveling during the rainy season will be much more relaxing due to the cooler atmosphere while the harvest season falls during the dry months, meaning there will be more types of fruits and agricultural products available.
When to Visit Cai Rang Market
When it is still dark, local traders bring their agricultural products and belongings to the market. Shoppers also want to shop early when the weather is still cool, then return home to start their normal day.
That’s why you should get up early for the most exciting time in the market. The ideal time is to 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. when hundreds of boats gather to buy and sell goods in crowds. Probably the most distinctive feature of the floating market is the bamboo pole called “Cay Beo” with a length of 3 to 5 m. It is a unique way of advertising when all kinds of goods they sell are hung on the top so that buyers can see from afar.
Cai Rang Floating Market does not open on lunar holidays, such as the first and second days of the first lunar month, Doan Ngo Festival (the fifth day of the fifth lunar month).
How to Get to Cai Rang Floating Market from Can Tho ?
It is about 6 km from the city center from Ninh Kieu Wharf. You can easily take a taxi or motorbike to the dock and then buy a boat ticket (~400,000 VND – 450,000 VND per private boat or 200,000 VND – 250,0000 VND per person for shared boat) to explore the floating market.
After visiting the Cai Rang floating market, you can also take time to wander through villages along the river to visit a rice paper factory or fruit gardens. It is interesting to enjoy the cultural life in the Mekong Delta.
What to see at the Cai Rang floating market?
1. Admire the bustling commercial scene
The Cai Rang floating market specializes as a wholesale market for fruits and agricultural products from the region. Goods here are concentrated in large numbers.
You can see the smooth performance of the traders juggling the fruits from one boat to another.
Just look at what’s attached to the long pole above the boat to see what they’re selling.
Local people and surrounding areas often use medium-sized boats, canoes to transport agricultural products to be consumed here, while large boats belong to traders to deliver fruits everywhere.
Look the daily life of the inhabitants
As you soak up the lively atmosphere of the special market, you can observe and learn about the lives of many families with several generations living together on boats.
There are boats as a “mobile apartment” on the river with flower pots, animals and a complete interior such as TV, DVD, stereo… including a motorcycle parked on the boat.
Not only is the vehicle used for purchasing and delivering, but it is also the residence of the traders’ family. All daily activities take place on boats.
Test local products
As one of the main shopping centers in the Mekong Delta, Cai Rang is a place where locals sell and buy a wide range of products suitable for their daily lives.
Apart from basic products, it is a famous place to find local products at very reasonable prices.
You can find the freshest fruits harvested from nearby farms: durian, rambutan, mangosteen, grapefruit, etc., or even other processed delicacies, like fish sauce, coconut candies or dried fish .
You can choose from a variety of fresh fruits for a picnic later in the day!
Taste them food and drinks
You shouldn’t miss out on interesting culinary experiences while visiting the floating market! Many floating restaurants are open to serve breakfast to sellers and buyers.
Here you can find most of the local dishes, such as “com tam” (broken rice with grilled pork, egg), “pho”, “hu tieu”, “bun rieu” – some kinds of noodles served with beef , pork and crab… With only 25,000 VND (around €1), you can surely satisfy your hunger with a fairly hearty meal.
Don’t forget that people here serve a different type of coffee that you don’t see anywhere: Ca Phe Kho. People keep coffee in a clay cooker with fire to make it hot and good.
With one euro you can have a coffee for two! But if you’re not familiar with bitter coffee, coconut is a different choice and sold everywhere.
