The floating markets in Mekong Delta Vietnam have been existing for over 100 years, but its origin and operation remain a heated debate. It is the convergence of hundreds of thousands of large and small boats from many places to trade and exchange agricultural products, fruits, goods, and food creating a community economy on the river.
The floating markets are now a charming aspect of the local culture and one of the captivating experiences in Mekong Delta.
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Travelers can visit Cai Rang at any time of the year since you will experience something different during each time of the year. Trips in the rainy season will be much more relaxing due to the cooler atmosphere while the harvest season falls into the dry months, which means there will be more types of native fruits and agricultural products available.
Many tour operators offer tour to Cai Rang floating market from Ho Chi Minh City. The trips usually last two days (so you can do the floating market early on the second day) and the prices range from 30 USD to 200 USD depend on big group, small group tour or private tour. Small group tours (max 15 people) depart daily from Ho Chi Minh City priced at 95 USD per person twin share including 3* accommodation, meals, transportation, boat, English speaking guide. You can choose to stay at homestay or hotel in Can Tho City.
However, check the schedule of the trip before booking since cheap service providers usually take you on a bus with too many tourists (up to 40 people) or take you to unexpected shopping destinations.
If you want to go by yourself you will have to manage your time, transportation and budget. Doing the floating market by yourself; however, will entail you requiring a higher budget.
To get to Cai Rang floating market, you first need to go to Can Tho City. As the city is the capital of the Mekong Delta, it is not too difficult to get here.
Can Tho is easily accessible, with a number of direct flights from Hanoi/Da Nang/Phu Quoc. Flight duration is 1-2 hours depending on which city you’re travelling from. Major airlines that travel to Can Tho include Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, Bamboo Airways, Jetstar, Hahn Air. AirAsia also launched new routes from Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok to the biggest city in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, Can Tho in April/May 2019.
If you depart from Ho Chi Minh City, booking a bus ticket will get you to Can Tho in 3.5-4 hours. The buses run every 30 minutes. It is comfortable, with reclining chairs that are almost bed-like. Your ticket will be around 130,000 VND. The buses are operated by Phuong Trang Bus company, Mai Linh, Loc Phat Limousine, Tri Nhan ...
Once in Can Tho, you can catch a taxi or motorbike taxi to get to Ninh Kieu Wharf (where you can buy boat tickets) from the city’s center. The distance is around six kilometers.
The boat ticket for a two-hour trip per person usually costs from 40,000 VND to 80,000 VND.
If you are traveling in a group, consider renting a whole boat since it may be cheaper and you can add some additional destinations to your trip. The prices for a boat range between 600,000 VND and 1,200,000 VND. Don’t forget to tip!
Make sure to get there early (around 7AM)! The sunrise from the boat is fantastic and the food is at its freshest. You can see the market waking up from its slumber! It is the busiest time in the day.
Don’t forget to bring on your cap and sunblock since the sun will become hot very quickly.
If you want to have the best experience, avoid touristy boats. Take a local fishing boat. You’ll have more flexibility this way and the local will show you around. If you want to capture beautiful photos you should choose a local pineapple boat. Pineapple boats are the boats that have a roof for you to climb on top of. From there, you can have a beautiful panorama picture of the whole market.
Located on the giant Tien River in Tien Giang province, the Cai Be floating market is a hub for transporting agricultural goods and seafood from the Mekong to the rest of Vietnam. Cai Be opens from dawn till dusk so travelers are free to choose their time to visit. Nonetheless, each period of the day will be different from the other.
In the morning, visitors should wake up early since the trading in the market begins at 3 AM until about 9 AM. There are various products sold in Cai Be from textiles, household appliances to seafood, domestic fowls. Obviously, this floating market also offers a wide range of fruit from Tien Giang province like coconut, rambutan or durian. Hundreds of boats with bamboo poles called “cay beo” along with stilt houses and trees on the bank of the river will create a fantastic scene for photographers.
In the evening, around 4 PM, you can also set out to contemplate another beauty of Cai Be. Now, it is not time to experience the bustling market, but rather watch the sun kissing the horizon. Local boats will start lighting up the lanterns making the whole market dreamy than ever before.
Visiting Cai Be floating market is another convenient choice for travelers because of its location, as it’s the closest to Ho Chi Minh City (105km). The best way to get here is to join a group or private tour or take a taxi from Ho Chi Minh City. Or board a bus to Cai Be.
Small group tours (max 15 people) depart daily from Ho Chi Minh City priced at 49 USD per person including transportation, lunch, cooking class, bike, boat, and English speaking guide.
If you want to go by yourself you can buy a bus ticket from one of the bus companies such as Hai Duyen, Tri Nhan Limousine, Anh Tuan, Ha My .... The bus duration is from 2-2.5 hours. The prices are from 90,000 to 170,000 VND/ticket/way.
The boat costs 400,000 VND for 1-2 people including big boat, small rowing boat, seasonal fruit, honey tea, and traditional folk music.
Do not forget to bring your hat, sunglasses, sunblock and mosquito repellent cream. When visiting the floating market or doing any river tours, choose reputable providers and boats equipped with life buoys and jackets. Safety is a priority!
Foodies can savour
Bun rieu cua, a rich, tomato-based crab noodle soup with rice vermicelli and dumplings
Com ga cam ky, steamed chicken rice
Banh trang tron, rice paper strips tossed with peanuts, herbs, dried shrimp, dried beef, hard-boiled quail eggs, shredded mango and sweet-sour spicy dressing
Bap xao bo, corn stir-fried with margarine, green onions and dried shrimp