While travelling to the South of Vietnam, there is one location you should never miss. It is Cai Rang floating market, one of the biggest floating markets in the area of Mekong Delta. Visiting the wetland of South Vietnam, you can figure out how beautiful the lifestyle here is. Thanks to the geography, there are both land and river lying in this location. Moreover, there is a diversity of people such as Vietnamese, Cham, Khmer and etc. Years ago, Cai Rang floating market precisely reflected Mekong Delta’s culture. It has become one of the travel attractions in Vietnam since tourists can indulge themselves with beautiful sights, natural sounds, colorful lifestyle and flavorful dishes. It is not very far from Ho Chi Minh City; therefore, you can get there easily during the weekend. Cai Rang floating market is located in Can Tho City. From Ninh Kieu Wharf, it takes you around 30 minutes to the floating market.
1. How to get to Cai Rang market – Can Tho?
Cai Rang floating market is located in Ca Rang District, Can Tho City, South of Ho Chi Minh city and about 30 minutes by boat from Ninh Kieu Wharf.
Cai Rang Floating market, Can Tho, Vietnam
From Ho Chi Minh City, the most popular transportation is buses. The trip takes around 4 hours from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho city. Moreover, that is the best and cheapest way that you can find several bus offices such as Phuong Trang, Thanh Buoi, Vu Linh and more within the price ticket around 120.000 VND to 180.000 VND on De Tham street, District 1.
If you are adventurous and want to have a road trip, you can rent a motorcycle then make your own journey. Cai Rang Floating market tour from Saigon by motorbike will take 4 to 5 hours to get there.
From Ninh Kieu Station, you will book a ticket to visit the market by boat. It is suggested that if you go there on a sunny day, you can book the smaller boat which is the wooden speedboat without the roof. If you come here Cai rang Market in the rainy season, let’s book the big boat which has 15 seats and the roof.
– Smaller boat ticket: 200,000 VND
– Big boat: 360,000 VND
2. Going to the floating market on the boat
Cai Rang floating market runs the business as early as 5 am until 12 pm. Early morning is the most timing to visit if you want to see the perfect light of sunrise scenario with a cup of Vietnamese coffee on the river.
Cai Rang floating market starts very early every day
In the bustle and hustle of the floating market, the local sellers have their own unique advertisement to make the visitors can easily notice their products. The owner will hang on their product on a very tall bamboo stick in every boat so that you can simply look up and find out the goods you want to have in long distance. The main feature of Cai Rang floating market tour is the place of trading agriculture products which is banana, orange, pineapple, coconut, watermelon, vegetables, Mekong fish and even lottery ticket. It seems to be you go to visit a typical flea market but you are floating. Other than that, you will have an unforgettable experience to see how the local people grew up on this river and chance to understand more about the Mekong culture in the southwest of Vietnam.
Fresh tropical fruits on sale in the floating market
3. The special taste of the region
Having local food is the meaning to get yourself in Vietnamese local culture. While you are there, please make you that you have a few of these delicious treats. Firstly, you have to be ready in mind with a bunch of local fresh tropical fruits – green mangos, pineapples, dragon fruits, oranges, coconuts, durians and more on offer at the floating market. For something different, It is recommended for you to have breakfast while on the sampans at the market. You can decide to treat yourself with a bowl of tradition Crap Noodle, BBQ pork noodle or even Banh Mi and get the very special taste of the Mekong river.
Local food on the boat
4. Travel tips
– Remember to bring VND bills instead of using credit cards since most of the destinations prefer trading by cash.
– Summer wear and sunblock cream are highly recommended.
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