Mekong River Delta Floating Markets in Southern Vietnam

Mekong River Delta Floating Markets are a way of local life and business trading for about 300 years, because of the complex and extensive river system of the Mekong Delta. These markets are centrally located in the delta, where people sell and buy fruits, vegetables and any local products grown locally. The traders sell their goods directly from the boats and hang their products on long bamboo poles, so that people can see directly from far away what is for sale. Smaller boats are uses as mobile cafes/restaurants, where you can buy soda, coffee or noodle soup for breakfast.

The floating markets are among the best highlights of the Mekong Delta in Southern Vietnam. But since there are quite a few floating markets in the Mekong River Delta, it is useful to know which ones are the best. So quickly view this list to choose your best conveneince markets to visit!

1. Cai Rang Floating Market in Can Tho City:

Cai Rang Floating Market, located in Can Tho City, is the largest and most popular floating market in the Mekong Delta. The market starts at 5 AM and lasts until noon, but it is best to be here before 8 AM. The most important goods here are fruit, agricultural products and specialties from the region. Hundreds of large and small boats park close to each other every morning and goods are hung on board that are available for trading.

Because more and more domestic and foreign tourists come, there are also several smaller boats on the market that offer a Vietnamese Food for breakfast/lunch, because you often go here early in the morning, and local sellers may stay all day long.

Since you have to visit the floating market in the early morning, you have to stay already close to the market the night before. Tours going to this market are always minimum 2 day tours, were you visit the market on the next day early morning. If you want to go by yourself, the easiest way to get here is by taking a bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho. From the port in Can Tho you can rent a boat that shows you the floating markets and small waterways in the area.

2. Cai Be Floating Market in Tien Giang Province:

Cai Be Floating Market is another popular floating market because it is closest to Ho Chi Minh City. Unlike other floating markets that only open in the morning, Cai Be Floating Market starts later in the day until late at night. So you can visit the market late in the day and still experience a buzzing atmosphere.

The best way to get here is to take a private or group tour or rent a car with driver from Ho Chi Minh City. You can also take a bus from My Tho in the Mekong Delta to Cai Be.

3. Phong Dien Floating Market in Phong Dien, Can Tho:

Phong Dien Floating Market is a floating market for buying, selling and exchanging goods, an attractive attraction of the Western River. The market is located at the confluence of rivers, where the Can Tho River dissects from the Hau River, about 17 km southeast of Can Tho city center. The market usually gathers around 4-5 am when the sun is just beginning to rise, and by 7-8 o'clock when the sun is high, the market also gradually dissolves.

Unlike Cai Rang floating market, which only deals with agricultural products, Phong Dien floating market is selling more products. In the market, there are boats selling daily life tools, production tools such as canoes, boats, roofing leaves, knives, hoes, machetes; fishing equipment such as: fishing nets, traps,... products of the knitting industry such as baskets, baskets, bamboo shoots, sieves, sieving, tearing rods... and general goods at home and abroad. In addition, the market also sells Vietnamese Food: duck seeds, noodle soup, grilled meat vermicelli, rice porridge, duck salad, noodle soup, Vietnamese Coffee.

4. Phung Hiep (Ngã Bảy) Floating Market in Hau Giang Province:

Phung Hiep floating market - also known as Nga Bay floating market because the market is located at the confluence of 7 small rivers (Xeo Mon, Xeo Dong, Bun Tau, Lai Hieu, Cai Con, Mang Ca and Kenh Xang). Located next to National Highway 1, between the roads of Can Tho and Soc Trang, about 30km from each province, Phung Hiep Nga Bay Floating Market is more special than other floating markets because of its convenient traffic, long history and large scale of operations. The market was established in 1915 at Nga Bay Phung Hiep, the largest center of waterway traffic in the region. At that time, "star Phung Hiep" as the French call it, was crowded with boats, every day more than 300 bustling boats.

Boat-building craft villages were formed along with floating markets at the "doi" of Tan Thoi Hoa, Chanh and Cat, more than 1km long with hundreds of households. During the flourishing period, there were days when nearly thousands of boats and boats returned to Nga Bay for a fair, like a huge, lively general department store that can be bought wholesale and retail, extremely diverse, from goods to colors. , from the sound to the space, all are typical of the South. Products of the land of Nine Dragons follow the water to Nga Bay, not only spreading throughout the country but also crossing borders to friends in five continents.

5. Tra On Floating Market in Vinh Long Province:

Tra On floating market is the last floating market located at the junction of Hau and Mang Thit rivers before emptying into the sea. This is not only a gathering place for local people's trade, but also a place to preserve the unique culture of the West of the river. Anyone who comes to Tra On floating market will also be attracted by the hustle and bustle. Hundreds of boats and rafts converge to trade and exchange goods.

According to local people, Tra On floating market has existed for a long time. In the past, this was a safe place to stay at night for those who went by boat to cut rice in Nga Nam, Nga Bay, and Ba Xuyen provinces (now Soc Trang, Bac Lieu and Ca Mau provinces). Boys and girls also often gather here to sing and respond to find joy and forget the hardships of a hard life.

6. Nga Nam Floating Market in Soc Trang Province:

Because it is the most central market in the region, you can find most of the Mekong specialties here. You see boats full of rice, vegetables, fresh fruit from orchards, shrimp, fish, crabs, frogs and much more. You can even come across boats with household items and electronics. The market starts around 3:00 AM and reaches its peak around 5:00 AM. If you want to visit the market, you have to spend the night in the neighborhood.

To reach the market, you must take a bus from Ho Chi Minh City to the city of Cau Mau. From here you take another shuttle bus to the city of Nga Nam, where you can rent a boat to go to the market.

7. Long Xuyen Floating Market in An Giang Province:

The Long Xuyen Floating Marker is located on the Hau River, in the less touristy province of An Giang. For this reason it is also a less popular market, but therefore a lot more authentic. The locals are very curious here and will try to communicate with you because tourists are not familiar faces here.

You will find many boats moored close to the river, where the locals live and trade all year round. Goods are mainly crops such as vegetables, melon, beans, cabbage, pumpkin, potato and famous An Giang snacks such as fish noodles and pig house biscuits. You can take a bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Long Xuyen, or first go to Can Tho, spend the night and from there a taxi, bus or tour early in the morning.

Adventure Journey

Recommended Tour:

• Cai Be Mekong Floating Market Tours 1 Day from Ho Chi Minh
• Mekong Delta Tour 2 Days 1 Night from Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
• Mekong Delta Eco Tour 3 Days 2 Nights from Ho Chi Minh City

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