Top 5 Most Beautiful Floating Markets In Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta is crowded with rivers and canals, also a famous tourist destination with overflowing banks, net filling in the beach, various boats cruising on the rivers all day long, etc. The simple yet warm lifestyle of the local people here has been lasting for more than thousands of year. On the very twisted water system, there are people trading and exchanging goods, creating the scenery which is called floating markets.

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The floating markets in Mekong Delta area are considered to be one of the most unique cultural features of the Mekong Delta. Discovering the floating markets in the Mekong Delta will certainly be one of your best experiences when traveling to the provinces of Southern Vietnam.

The floating market is one of the charming characteristics of the Mekong Delta

The floating markets are opened all day, but it is most crowded in the morning when the weather is still cool, the fog spreads all over the surface of the river and the sun is still soft. If you want to visit the floating markets, I suggest you go early. Because when the sun rises, the weather will be very hot and most local people will go home instead of keep selling their products.

Nowadays, the floating markets in the Mekong Delta is not only a place to trade and exchange goods but also an appealing destination that attracts a large number of tourists every year, not only domestic but also foreign tourists as well. If you are having the intention of visiting Mekong Delta, here are the 5 astonishing floating markets that you should set foot on.

Coming to Mekong Delta, you really should not miss the amazing floating markets here

Cai Rang floating market, Can Tho

Cai Rang floating market is located on Cai Rang River, near Cai Rang Bridge, about 6 kilometers from the center of Can Tho city. If you go from Ninh Kieu wharf, it takes about 30 minutes by boat to follow the Hau River to Cai Rang floating market.

The bustling scenery of Cai Rang floating market

As one of the three largest floating markets in the Southwest region of Mekong Delta, Cai Rang is always busy with buyers and sellers as well as hundreds of large and small boats, every day from the early morning until late in the evening. On weekdays, the Cai Rang floating market usually opens from 03:00 AM to 09:00 PM, during holidays, it opens almost all day.

Visiting Cai Rang floating market, visitors are not only satisfied with boats filled with fruits and agricultural products but also enjoy a variety of Western-style dining services such as noodles, coffee, cafes and many more. The special thing is all food is sold on boats, floating on top of the water surface.

People in Cai Rang floating market hung their products on poles

You will also be impressed by the unique way called “hanging and selling things” of the local people here. It means they hang the stuff they sell on a pole so visitors can see from afar. Laughter, voices, oars and the feeling of floating on the river will surely make a mark in the hearts of many tourists when coming to Cai Rang floating market, Can Tho.

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Cai Be floating market, Tien Giang

Cai Be floating market is located in Cai Be town, Cai Be district, Tien Giang province. The market is located on the section of Tien river bordering three provinces of Tien Giang, Vinh Long and Ben Tre. Cai Be floating market used to be one of the biggest ones in the Mekong Delta. However, in recent years, there have been fewer traders gathering than before. But still, this is an ideal place to visit.

Cai Be floating market has a lovely beauty

Formed in the 18th century, this oldest floating market in Tien Giang attracts visitors by the bustling scene of boats, as well as by the water-color painting of the town with its gardens and streets located along the river, sometimes hidden under coconut trees and typical western forests. All in all, this is a peaceful place you should be.

There are many diverse products, from fruits to poultry, seafood, household items, fabrics, etc. If to buy as a gift you can choose sugar, coconut candy or unique soap from coconut, which is the famous specialty of Cai Be. You should also visit the market early, because it only opens from 02:00 AM to 08:00 AM.

Fresh mangos being sold at Cai Be floating market

Long Xuyen floating market, An Giang

Located about 2 kilometers from the city center, the market is not too big and has not been known by many tourists, so it still retains many pristine features of the wetland market. Long Xuyen floating market is not as famous as other markets, but visitors can still feel the dazzling style of the people in the Southwestern of Vietnam.

Coming to Long Xuyen floating market, you can buy many kinds of fresh vegetables such as melon, cabbage, squash, potatoes, etc as well as famous and delicious fresh fruits such as bananas, grapefruits, oranges, tangerines, etc. You can go to the market all day without having to wake up early like when going to floating markets.

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Long Xuyen floating market where fresh products are sold

Along with the boats that trade, sell and exchange products, visitors also have the opportunity to witness the daily life of the people on the river, to understand more pieces of human destiny here. It will be such a memorable experience for you in Mekong Delta.

Tra On floating market, Vinh Long

Located 250 meters from Tra On river, Tra On is a floating market in the downstream of Hau river with a length of over 300 meters. Tra On floating market has the characteristics of a wholesale market, the products are distributed in the form of wholesale, the agricultural available here including yams, sweet potatoes, cucumbers, bitter melon, etc. About the fresh fruit, there are Tan Thanh orange, Luc Si Thanh durian,...

A crowded morning in Tra On floating market

Another difference of Tra On market is that there are boats selling ornamental flowers in various colors and style. Visitors when coming to Tra On should not miss the dish called “burnt fish” specialties with all kinds of processing that can’t be found in anywhere else. Eating and savoring dishes as well as fresh products in Tra On floating market, many people can’t help but want to come back to this beautiful place.

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Phung Hiep floating market, Hau Giang

Phung Hiep floating market is located 75 kilometers from Vi Thanh and Hau Giang cities and about 30 kilometers south of Can Tho city center. The market is located on Phung Hiep intersection. Like Cai Be and Cai Rang markets, Phung Hiep market has hundreds of boats carrying goods and products for not only the locality but also to the visitors. In addition to enjoying Western specialties, visitors can bring home some famous Hau Giang handicrafts.

Phung Hiep is also known as Nga Bay floating market

Another special feature in Phung Hiep is the snake market with all kinds of snakes and fine snake wine. There are also turtles, geckos, iguana, etc. If you want to explore the western river, this floating market will surely satisfy you both in terms of the beauty and culture typical of the Mekong Delta area.

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