Floating Market Vibes on the Year's Final Afternoon

My friend from Cần Thơ kept calling me persistently, urging me to visit him again, providing a perfect excuse to revisit the lively Cái Răng floating market.

Year-End Bustle at Cái Răng Floating Market

As the year comes to a close, the ebb and flow of people and boats persist along the Ninh Kiều wharf. Having visited the Cái Răng floating market multiple times, the excitement never wanes as we step onto the small, bobbing boats on the Hậu River, in the heart of the Mekong Delta.

Just about 5km from the city center of Cần Thơ, the trading scene at Cái Răng floating market is lively from early morning until nearly noon. We decided to rent a small motorboat from Ninh Kiều wharf to reach the floating market. The boat's driver also doubled as an unwitting guide, charmingly narrating about the floating markets in this region with the faint smile of a lovely southern girl.

And so, the small boat carried us closer to the floating market. Before reaching the market's center, we already saw hundreds of boats of all sizes docked closely together to engage in trade. The small boats rocked on the gentle waves, shops and stalls, buyers and sellers bustling, and Western tourists of all kinds drifting along with the waves. The boats were laden with goods, mostly various fruits and garden produce hanging on a pole erected at the bow, locally called a 'bending tree'.

The 'Bending Tree' Indicator: Unveiling Cái Răng's Vibrant Floating Market

We found ourselves amidst a cacophony of sounds – engine roars, oar splashes, waves kissing the boat hulls, laughter, and the chatter of buyers and sellers. The lively atmosphere resembled on-land markets in every way. The dynamic life at the river market unfolded not only on cargo-laden boats but also on small vessels selling food at just 3,000 VND/cup of coffee. Even snacks were served on boats, catering to everyone's needs from men, women to children.

For a mere 7,000 – 8,000 VND, you can relish a bowl of Hu Tieu noodle soup in the enchanting aquatic ambiance. The floating market also provides a range of services from engine and scale repairs, fuel-selling boats to stores offering cosmetics, fish sauce, Western medicine, and sweets. Service boats deftly weave between sales boats, collecting payments with remarkable coordination. Cái Răng Floating Market, and similar markets in this region, surpass the liveliness of Thai floating markets, being organically formed from the locals' way of life and the rich products they offer.

We were fortunate to visit the market at the year's end, a time when business fervor peaks. The market is always vibrant during these final days. On regular days, hundreds of boats from the province and nearby areas traverse the river, arriving as early as 3 to 4 in the morning, accompanied by the hum of boat engines stirring the waters. The buying and selling frenzy at the floating market happens swiftly, with generous prices and rare instances of bargaining, unlike other markets on land.

From the Gregorian New Year onwards to the Lunar New Year marks the peak business season for traders on this floating market. Boat families engage in wholesale trading, accumulating, settling debts, and placing orders for the days ahead. Everyone is bustling with activity. The unique aspect is the absence of price manipulation or inflated prices seen in land-based markets. Whether it's the year-end or a regular day, the prices remain the same! Each year, the end-of-year business is more chaotic but joyful. People flock to the market more, bringing more goods, resulting in higher incomes than usual. Hence, everyone's mindset is to 'seize the opportunity' during this year-end season.

The gently rocking motorboat on the water's surface, with family boats along the riverbank housing multiple generations. Some ornamental plants, household items, and even a family altar are visible inside these boats—like 'mobile homes' on the water equipped with amenities like TVs, sound systems, livestock pens, and even motorbikes. On a boat drifting through the floating market, I encountered many tourist boats gracefully gliding through the water.

Travelers on both sides exchange cheerful waves. Cameras are raised, capturing the joyous scenes as if life's worries have vanished. The atmosphere on the last day of the year radiates warmth over the river. Drifting on a boat on a beautiful day to admire the sunrise and explore Cái Răng floating market is truly captivating for distant travelers.

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By Tiêu Dao/Lifestyle Health

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