Mekong Delta is famous for its canals criss crossing which facilitates river traffic and develops river tourism as well. Tourists visiting Ho Chi Minh City often combines with a daily tour or 2 days 1 night tour for excursion. During my trip, I chose two biggest and most famous floating markets in the Mekong Delta which are the Cai Be and Cai Rang to explore the beauties of riverside. And here are some of my experiences hopefully they are useful to you:
Info: Do you know what is the floating market? It is a form of exchange and trade between this boat and the others on the rivers. Market forms have been shaped and developed along with the ups and downs of the history of hundreds of years ago in the Southwest region.
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Cai Be floating market
Cai Be floating market Floating Market is one of the most busy and prosperous areas in the Mekong Delta.
The local people said me: Cai Be floating market is stretching over 500m, is the place to exchange trading of more than 400 boats each day. The sale takes place continually from 4 am until 3 pm every day, but the peak hours are from about 5 pm to 8 am, including wholesale and retail purchase.
In my opinion depending on the large amount of merchandise, it is the hub of fruits production to many other regions. The goods are so cheap surprisely. When I paid 100000 VND (about 5 USD) for mangoes, the woman gave me a full box and they were all fresh and sweet.
Fruits are very varied and plentiful. A gardener I met on my trip explained me that because Cai Be is home of most of Tien Giang fruits, and the gardens near the island of Tan Phong brought here for sale. The boats sailing from other areas (I can’t remember all but Ho Chi Minh city) have come here to purchase .
Note: You should visit Cai Be floating market in early morning. In the late afternoon , you just can watch the river. Rents boat price from 40-50 USD/boat (up to sizes)
- Cai Rang floating market
I went to visit Cai Rang floating market early in the morning on the advice of a tour guide that my friend in Ho Chi Minh City to introduce. The trip started.
As I felt, the Cai Rang floating market is not as crowded as Cai busy. Cai Rang floating market sells all items from essentials to foods, from needle to thread, agricultural products, textiles, fertilizers … There are even boats selling water and noodles. We request a bowl of noodle and ate on the boat. I thought the stalling of boats will lead us not to eat but it turned out not so bad. Noodles is very tasty and slightly sweet. Unlike the last day in Cai Be, this time I bought a barrel mangosteen as a gift for friends. They are both big and sweet.
Pleasant atmostphere in the morning and having breakfast and enjoy life here are very comfortable and relaxing. The local people are also warm and friendly which is one of the reasons to Cai Rang floating market becoming an attractive destination for tourists from many places.
