Top 5 Floating Markets in Mekong Delta (part 1)

Mekong Delta toursalways leave a strong impression on tourists by its green/yellow rice paddies, fruits orchards, Southern folk songs, and delicious regional dishes. That’s why it’s one of must-come destinations for anyone’stours to Vietnam.

And what make its unique are dense rivers, canals system, house stilts, and lifestyle of locals on river. Thus, it is quite exceptional and awesome to surround yourself with hectic and vibrant floating markets – one of the noticeable highlights of the tours to Mekong Delta.

Magnificent scenery of Mekong Delta in Vietnam

Such the markets become gathering places where the locals can buy goods while tourists can spread their eyes over the lively panorama around. To help buyers see and realize what are sold from far away, traders tend to hang their products on the top of long poles. Along with goods and items, some small sampans also serve as café shops or food stores. It is quite possible to stop by one and then enjoy an iced cup of coffee, soft drinks or a noodle soup for breakfast.

In general, sunrise as early as possible is the best time to visit any of the floating markets, since this is the moment when everything is very colorful and vigorous. Of course, they are best discovered on small sampans with a local guide. Today, we are out there to introduce to you the top 5 floating markets in Mekong Delta you should not miss at all cost!

Read more:

• Top 6 things to do in Mekong Delta (part 1)
• Top 6 things to do in Mekong Delta (part 2)

1. Cai Rang Floating Market

As the largest floating market in the Mekong Delta, Cai Rang often starts 5 AM and lasts until midday. But, it is better to arrive in it before 9 AM. The main goods here include wholesale fruits, agricultural products and specialties from Chau Thanh District and other neighboring areas. Of course, there is no need for sellers to cry out about their products. As mentioned above, each boat has a long upright pole where the samples of the goods are hung on the top for sale. So, if you want to buy bananas, for instance, just find which boat has bananas on the pole.

Cai Rang Floating Market

During the early morning, the waterway does become a maze of many different boats packed with papaya, mango, bananas, pineapple, and even cigarettes. To meet the demands of both domestic and foreign visitors, different services are also available on the floating market. Apart from fresh fruits, they are quite able to enjoy Vietnamese breakfast dishes, like Pho, Hu Tieu or coffee. Try imagining that how unforgettable it is when tasting a delicious Pho bowl while paddling along the river, right? Of course, don’t try to search for which boat has a bowl of noodle hanging on pole since it is impossible. Instead, locals around will help you to find the suitable shop and store.

2. Cai Be Floating Market

Another prominent floating market in Mekong Delta is Cai Be, which is located at Tien River in the intersection of Vinh Long, Tien Giang and Ben Tre Provinces. This market is busy from the early morning (around 3 AM) to late afternoon. The goods exhibited here are abundant and multiform, ranging from fruits, seafood, animals, chicken, materials and commodities to sweet mandarin, coconut soap and candy. About 400 to 500 rafts and boats packed with vegetables, fruits and other regional products will be anchored along the 2 sides of the river. Just like Cai Rang Floating Market, the samples of products in each boat here will also be hung on a pole to attract customers.

Cai Be floating market

Along with many different kinds of boats, Cai Be Floating Market also leaves tourists from admiration to admiration by the magnetic sights along the river, such as lines of coconut trees and stilt houses on 2 banks. At that time, boats and sampans can serve as “water taxis” which help traveler to sightsee and visit somewhere more conveniently and easily. The best way to immerse in the essence and uniqueness of Cai Be Floating Market is to let us become your travel partner. Just booking our in-depth tour, you will not only have unforgettable memories with eye-catching scenery, enthusiastic locals, and hustling daily life, but also ease your mind from all everyday troubles!

Sounds very exciting, right! So what are you still waiting for but not booking a tour with this travel agency immediately to enjoy joyful Vietnam tours!

Besides, Cai Rang floating market and Cai Be floating market, there are 3 more big floating markets of Mekong Delta that if coming to this place, you have to once travel to, and if you want to find out what those 3 markets are, then please continue to read at THIS article!