Cai Rang Floating Market – All Things You NEED To Know

• Location: downstream of Can Tho river, no. 46 Hai Ba Trung street, Ninh Kieu district, Can Tho city

Cai Rang Floating Market (or Cái Răng floating market) has been around for almost a century, making it one of the Mekong Delta’s oldest cultural spots. The Mekong delta floating market was initially created to meet the locals’ demand for trading and exchanging goods, when streets and vehicles were not yet developed. At present, the road traffic networks have been extensively advanced, but the floating market still remains and develops. 

Cai Rang is becoming more and more alluring to travelers thanks to its huge spread of produce on sale from a fleet of brightly coloured boats. From early morning, traders gather to buy fresh vegetables and fruits, handicrafts, and daily essential household goods to resell elsewhere, creating a bustling and joyful atmosphere. The most crowded time is from 5:30 to 6:30 a.m., when a great number of boats clog the waterway.

Discovering the intriguing trading method

At this bustling floating market, the cries of the sellers seem to be swallowed up by the immensity of the river and lost into the noise of the boat engines. The disadvantageous situation appears to favor the emergence of a unique advertising method: the sellers advertise their wares from the top of a long pole attached to their boats.

Every boat has a tall upright pole with samples of the goods for sale hung on it, so the sellers don’t have to cry out what they are selling and buyers can easily see the goods sold on that boat from a far distance. Just look up and one will know exactly which boat is providing the products they are looking for.

While shopping on a boat, travelers can also explore life along the waterways, as it passes houses built on stilts over the water and boats of all sizes, shapes, and colors docked along the shore.

Trying local food and drinks

Besides seeing how people sell and buy products on Cai Rang floating market, you will also have a chance to taste the freshest fruits harvested from nearby farms: durian, milk fruit, rambutan, mangosteen, grapefruit, etc., or even other processed specialties like fish sauce, coconut candy, or dried fish. Many local delicacies are also available, such as “com tam” (broken rice with grilled pork and egg), “pho”, “hu tieu”, “bun rieu” – some kinds of noodles that are served with beef, pork and crab… With only 25,000 VND (around 1 USD), you may easily fill up your stomach with a hearty meal.

Enjoying Southern Vietnamese folk music (đờn ca tài tử)

One of the most expected events at Cai Rang floating market Can Tho is that very weekend (Saturday, Sunday), a boat of artists will go along the river performing “đờn ca tài tử” – the Southern Vietnamese folk music. Đờn ca tài tử is said to reflect the lifestyle of Southern people who live and work in the Mekong Delta region. Its melody aids the locals in expressing all sentiments and emotions, as well as their own diligence, kindness, and courage, and has grown popular among both domestic and foreign tourists.

Visiting other famous tourist destinations near Cai Rang

Cai Rang floating market itself is beautiful, but it would be perfect if you could spend time exploring many appealing sites surrounding it, such as:

• Ba Cong orchard garden: This is Can Tho’s most renowned and largest orchard farm (covering 2 hectares), which supplies fruits to markets and wholesalers in Mekong Delta
• Rice noodle factory in Can Tho: Here visitors will learn how to make traditional rice noodles, taste crunchy “rice noodle pizza” and take in Can Tho’s rural atmosphere.
• Coconut candy factory in Cai Rang: Visitors may observe the entire process of manufacturing a little bar of sticky coconut candy from start to finish.