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While Thailand boasts Pattaya Floating Market, Cai Rang Floating Market stands as the pride of the people of the Mekong Delta and Vietnamese in general. Cai Rang Floating Market is a distinctive feature of the Mekong Delta region that you won't find anywhere else on the S-shaped land strip. Moreover, this floating market is a longstanding cultural symbol of the riverside people. If you've fallen in love with the people and life of the Mekong Delta, let Mytour introduce you to this fascinating and attractive destination!
Introduction to Cai Rang Floating Market
When mentioning Can Tho, we instinctively think of a bustling floating market, packed with boats and sampans loaded with goods. Or simply the cries and the aroma of bun rieu, hu tieu nam vang stalls every early morning. It's these humble, down-to-earth items that have created a unique flavor, a distinctive cultural feature of Cai Rang Floating Market. So where is Cai Rang Floating Market? On which river? How much are the boat tickets? What makes the floating market attractive? All answers will be thoroughly explained in the following article.
Where is Cai Rang Floating Market Located?
Cai Rang Floating Market lies on the romantic Can Tho River, about a 30-minute drive from Ninh Kieu Wharf. In 2006, Cai Rang Floating Market was recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. Moreover, the UK travel magazine Rough Guide has ranked Cai Rang Floating Market among the Top 10 most impressive markets in the world. It's no exaggeration to say that Cai Rang Market in Can Tho is the pride of Western tourism for many years.
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Address: On Can Tho River, 46 Hai Ba Trung Street, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City.
Cai Rang Floating Market is a distinctive cultural beauty of Can Tho City (Source: Collection)
Ideal Time to Visit Cai Rang Floating Market
Many tourists often wonder about the ideal time to visit Cai Rang Floating Market. Besides, the operating hours are also a matter of concern for many Western tourists. In reality, Cai Rang Floating Market bustles with trading activities both day and night. In fact, local people even sell goods on the river throughout the night. However, it's advisable to book tickets for boats/canoes to Cai Rang Market in advance to avoid wasting time and enjoy your trip to the fullest!
Can Tho's climate typically has two distinct seasons: the rainy season and the dry season:
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Dry season: From December to April the following year
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Rainy season: From May to November.
According to the travel experience at Cai Rang Floating Market, tourists can visit the market in both seasons. However, if you're a fruit enthusiast, it's best to go during the summer (dry season)! This is considered the fruit season of the Mekong Delta because every fruit is in full bloom. Moreover, the quality of agricultural products during the dry season is much better than other seasons.
Best Time to Visit Cai Rang Floating Market During the Day?
So when should you visit Cai Rang Floating Market during the day? The answer is from 4:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.! Unlike markets on land, Cai Rang Market usually starts early in the morning, so the atmosphere is bustling with activity during the early morning hours, with crowded stalls and lots of people.
The morning is the best time to visit Cai Rang Floating Market (Source: Collection)
Visiting Cai Rang Market at this time, you'll not only enjoy hot and delicious dishes but also admire the colorful painting of the Western region. Besides these two time frames, you can head to the market center around 6 or 7 in the morning for shopping and dining directly on the boats.
Formation History of Cai Rang Floating Market
Few know that Cai Rang Floating Market in the past was the largest rice collection point in the Mekong Delta initiated by Overseas Chinese in the early 20th century. Gradually, the trading of agricultural products expanded, turning the market into a culinary hub, with shops selling household items, souvenirs for tourists, and more.
Cai Rang Floating Market was once the largest rice hub in the Mekong Delta (Source: Collection)
Besides, Cai Rang Floating Market is situated at the confluence of rivers (the branches of Hau River and Cai Rang River), in shallow rather than deep waters. This prime location has provided favorable conditions for boat docking and trading. If you love the rustic life of the Mekong Delta and want to learn more about the river culture, don't miss Cai Rang Floating Market!
Prices of Tickets for Visiting Cai Rang Floating Market
Thanks to the remarkable development of tourism, transportation to Cai Rang Market is extremely diverse. Tourists can choose one of two popular ways to rent boats for visiting the floating market, including:
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Joining a tour with boats/ships of other groups.
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Renting a private boat/ship if traveling with a group; small boats for 1 - 3 people.
However, to save costs, you should rent a boat directly at Ninh Kieu Pier. Renting a private boat will allow you to control your time and enjoy your trip comfortably without depending on others. In case of solo travel, you should join a group tour to save money, with prices ranging from 30,000 VND to 40,000 VND per person.
Joining a boat tour with other groups will help you save more costs (Source: Collection)
Price for renting boats/ships in 2024 for visiting Cai Rang Floating Market:
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From 1 - 7 passengers: 500,000 VND/boat
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From 8 - 15 passengers: 600,000 VND/boat
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From 16 - 30 passengers: 700,000 VND/boat
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From 31 - 40 passengers: 800,000 VND/boat
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Above 40 passengers: 900,000 VND/boat
Note: This price level is for reference only and may vary during peak tourist seasons.
What makes Cai Rang Floating Market so special that attracts visitors?
Many people wonder what could be so appealing about a floating market surrounded by rivers. However, it's only when experiencing it firsthand that tourists truly appreciate the fascinating aspects that Cai Rang Floating Market has to offer. Here are 6 reasons why you should visit Cai Rang Market at least once in your lifetime.
The unique “4 hanging, 1 dangling” method and the distinctive “bent” trees
The name 'bent' tree originates from an objective reason. Due to the vast space of the floating market accompanied by the sound of waves and engine noise echoing, there are difficulties in trading and exchanging goods. Therefore, items are directly hung on the 'bent' trees for buyers to easily identify the items they want to buy and approach.
In addition, the '4 hanging' method is interpreted as follows:
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Hang what you sell: Items that customers want to buy will be hung on the bent tree.
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Hang but don't sell: Mostly clothes of households living on boats.
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Sell but don't hang: Refers to boats specializing in selling food items such as noodles, rice vermicelli soup, bread, coffee, etc.
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Hang one thing but sell another: This hanging method has a profound meaning, making buyers have to guess the underlying intention behind the item. For example, if they hang a simple house roof leaf, buyers understand implicitly that they want to sell their boat (because the boat is no different from the houses of people in the river region).
Experience the culinary market on the river
Food stalls set up on the river offer a unique dining experience that you can only find at the floating market. If you stroll through Cai Rang Floating Market at 6 or 7 in the morning, you'll experience a very distinctive flavor.
The cuisine of Cai Rang Floating Market is an indispensable highlight (Image source: Collected)
Floating markets offer a wide variety of dishes, not inferior to those found in land-based markets. The dishes at Cai Rang Floating Market can satisfy even the most discerning palates. Here, you'll easily find breakfast dishes such as pork ribs with rice, porridge with pork intestine, stir-fried vermicelli, fermented fish noodle soup, etc., being abundantly sold.
Enjoying traditional homemade pho noodles
One of the most enjoyable experiences in Mekong Delta tours is attending a noodle-making class at a traditional noodle factory. In addition to participating in the noodle-making process, visitors also get to savor the unique 'noodle pizza'.
Indulge in fruit tasting directly in the orchard
After visiting Cai Rang Floating Market, the next essential stop on the tour itinerary is the Ba Cong fruit orchard. Here, guests can freely take photos and enjoy a plate of assorted fruits for an entrance fee of only 15,000 VND per person. Moreover, you can also purchase fruits directly from the orchard as souvenirs after the trip.
Enjoying freshly picked fruits in the Can Tho countryside (Image source: Collected)
Immerse in the soulful tunes of traditional Southern folk music
If you visit Cai Rang Floating Market without listening to the melodious tunes of traditional Southern folk music, it would be truly regrettable. The performances of traditional Southern folk music are held at Cai Rang Floating Market in Can Tho every weekend. A boat carrying the traditional music troupe travels along the Hau River to perform for the locals. Here, you can listen to the deep-felt melodies of folk music from the South while witnessing the daily activities of people in the riverside region.
Explore the renowned coconut candy production workshop
When we talk about coconut candy, we often recall unforgettable childhood memories. However, have you ever wondered how coconut candy is made? All your questions will be answered at the renowned coconut candy production workshop in Can Tho. Here, you will be introduced to the meticulous process of crafting delicious coconut candies.
The process of coconut candy production involves numerous stages (Source: Collection)
Moreover, coconut candy factories usually do not charge entrance fees, so you can visit or purchase candy packages as gifts for your loved ones.
The renowned delicacies that make Cai Rang Floating Market famous
While visiting Cai Rang Floating Market, tourists can rent boats to enjoy the scenery and indulge in shopping and dining. Sitting on a boat, tourists can easily spot slow-moving boats on the river. As they approach food stalls selling breakfast dishes, the aroma of dishes such as noodle soup, rice noodle soup with crab, and vermicelli soup fills the entire market area. These are truly unique experiences that many tourists will cherish forever.
If you've made it to Cai Rang Floating Market without indulging in the delicious local cuisine, you're truly missing out. Below are the floating market specialties you can't afford to miss:
Hu Tieu Noodles
A trip to the Mekong Delta without trying the specialty dish of Hu Tieu Nam Vang noodles is like wasting your youth. This renowned dish from the watery region boasts a rich and aromatic flavor, from the broth to the ingredients. A bowl of Hu Tieu, loaded with toppings like pork, scallions, liver, quail eggs, starts at just 30,000 VND per bowl. There's nothing more satisfying than filling your stomach with piping hot Hu Tieu Nam Vang noodles on a boat ride during the morning.
Bun Rieu Crab Noodle Soup
Alongside the renowned dish of Hu Tieu noodles, another must-try is the unforgettable Bun Rieu soup, which leaves a lasting impression on many travelers. The allure of Cai Rang Floating Market's Bun Rieu lies in its distinctive shrimp paste flavor blending harmoniously with the rich broth. When eaten, travelers will taste the spicy heat of chili, the sweet and sour taste of shrimp paste, and lime.
A pink Bun Rieu boat is causing a sensation on social media with its 'adorable' owners (Source: Collection)
Grilled Meat Vermicelli
While grilled meat vermicelli can be found in many places, the version at the floating market offers a uniquely delicious flavor. The meat is thinly sliced and marinated with rich spices, resulting in tender and flavorful grilled meat. Additionally, the spicy-sweet fish sauce mixed with fresh herbs according to traditional recipes creates an explosion of flavors.
Rice Porridge with Offal
Rice porridge with offal is considered the most beloved dish at Cai Rang Floating Market that you cannot miss. Although the bowl of porridge is not exceptionally sophisticated, enjoying it by the riverside brings a delicious taste. With an incredibly cheap price, you can have a bowl of rice porridge filled with meat, liver, blood pudding, and green onions.
The offal porridge at Cai Rang Floating Market has a very distinctive flavor (Source: Collection)
Bread
Banh mi is available everywhere, but enjoying it directly on the river is only possible in the Mekong Delta! The bread is taken directly from the charcoal stove, so it's extremely hot. Moreover, adding a few simple toppings like cold cuts, sausage, fried eggs, and cucumber makes this popular dish even more deliciously aromatic.
It would be a real shame if you visited Cai Rang Floating Market without savoring a glass of iced coffee, coconut water, soy milk, and various types of sweet soups... These are all familiar drinks sold everywhere at the floating market. The unique point is that the ingredients, hot water jugs, ice buckets, and various bottles are all neatly displayed on the boat. Just 'order' and within a moment, you'll have a cup of coffee with milk.
Essential Tips for Visiting Cai Rang Floating Market
To have the best experience at Cai Rang Floating Market, here are some key tips to keep in mind:
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Typically, Cai Rang Floating Market operates very early, from around 3 am to 5 am. Therefore, if you plan to visit the market, you should wake up early. The ideal time to arrive is around 7 am.
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Make sure to wear a life jacket while traveling on the boat to ensure absolute safety.
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Ask for the price of breakfast items beforehand to avoid overpaying.
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Check the weather forecast before heading to the floating market for a smooth journey.
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Negotiate the boat rental price before using the service.
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For agricultural products, try to avoid asking for prices without intending to buy, especially early in the morning.
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In addition to Cai Rang Floating Market, you can combine other tourist destinations in Can Tho such as picking fruits in fruit orchards, visiting My Khanh tourist area, or exploring the night market in Tay Do,...
Above is all the detailed information about Cai Rang Floating Market. Hopefully, with these insights from Mytour, you will add another 'ideal' destination to your upcoming Can Tho travel. Contact the Mytour hotline Mytour for free travel advice! Our team of staff will answer all your questions about tour prices and provide detailed itineraries.
