Mekong Delta Floating Markets: A Vibrant Colorful Day Trip
Floating markets have existed for hundreds of years and have become a vital part of the local life in Mekong Delta - the highlights of the Mekong Delta. These markets are where people can buy fruit and vegetables from local production. The goods are sold directly from the boats - the owners hang products for sale on long poles, so that people can see what’s on offer from far away. Floating markets also are where you can see a wide range of tropical products sold on hundreds of boat, canal and rowboat
Many travelers cannot leave Vietnam without a visit floating markets in Mekong Delta. These colorful markets located at Southern Vietnam, the common way to get there is begin from Ho Chi Minh city. In case you are not familiar with traffic, you can easily book a Mekong Delta day tour online or through tour agencies at Ho Chi Minh city.
RULES OF MEKONG DELTA FLOATING MARKET
The rule for selling goods in Mekong Delta floating markets is to hang the product on a lateral bar to let the people know exactly what is selling. However, there are a few exceptions:
- "For sale but not hang": the items for sale are generally foods and drinks but it quite difficult to hang them around the boats
- "Hang but not for sale": The most funny things here. For most merchants at floating markets, the boat is not only their store but also their residence, their home. Their routine are taken place inside the boats, such as: cooking, washing...and even hanging their clothes. These clothes can sometimes be mistaken for merchandise, however they are not for sale.
TOP 5 NOTICEABLE FLOATING MARKETS
Nga Bay Market (Hau Giang provice)
Also known as Phung Hiep floating market, Nga Bay floating market is opened in 1915 and since then it has been a key trading spot for the locals in Nga Bay town.
In the morning, the whole market comes alive with colour with vivid stacks of veggies, fruits and other household goods. Interestingly, each boat here only sells one particular type of good which loosely hang on the lateral bar for promotion.
The market also sells animals such as turtles, birds, and even lizards to supply the locals and tourists’ demand.
- Time to visit: The market normally starts at 7am so you need stay overnight.
- Location: Nga Bay district, 60km away from Can Tho.
- Transportation: You can go to Can Tho by bus (it’s about 4 hours long). You can buy ticket at Phuong Trang bus office at 272 De Tham, District 1 or book online. Once you are in Can Tho, you can take taxis to Nga Bay province (about 30km from city center).
- Boat rental: The cost of hiring a rowboat is varied and depends on number of passengers, so forming a group with other people with help reduce the cost.
Nga Nam Market (Soc Trang province)
Located in Nga Nam town province, where five rivers, Ca Mau, Vinh Quoi, Long My, Thanh Tri and Phung Hiep interchange. Nga Nam market is famous for its hustle and bustle atmosphere that no other floating market in Vietnam can compare to.
Being the central market of the entire Mekong Delta area, this market provides most of the goods and specialities from this region, from signature types of rice and tropical fruits to countless types of seafood, displaying the pure range of resource diversity the Mekong Delta has to offer
Nga Nam floating market nowadays still retains the uniqueness of Mekong Delta country side
- Time to visit: Nga Nam market starts selling at 3am, peaks at 5am and dismisses at 8a, you should stay over night.
- Transportation: Bus is the most popular and convenient way to get to Nga Nam market, which costs between $8 – $9 for a one-way ticket. You will reach Ca Mau city center after 8 hours from Ho Chi Minh, and then take another shuttle bus, which leave every 20 minutes from Ca Mau bus station.
- Boat rental: Renting a small boat will cost you $1 and will allow you to visit the whole market
Nga Nam market being the central market of the entire Mekong Delta area
Cai Rang Floating Market (Can Tho)
Cai Rang market is a big wholesale market and the must see place for travelers when they visit Can Tho. The market starts at 5am and becomes crowded at 6am
As one of the largest floating markets in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, Cai Rang, attracts tourists every day, most of them foreigners. It is famous for being the largest fruit selling hub, specialising in exotic fruits such as Nam Roi grapefruit, Ving Long pink kiwi kumquat or Cai Mon durian.
While visiting Cai Rang floating market, you will become immersed in the true spirit of commercial water culture. All that remains for you to do is to enjoy the floating feeling, watch the sunrise behind boat roofs and get a feel for the busy local life.
- Time to visit: Remember to set your alarm as the market starts at 5am
- Transportation: The easiest way to get here is to take bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho. You can book a one-way ticket at vexere.com with lots of bus choices, priced from $5. Once you are in Can Tho, Cai Rang is only 6km away from the city center and around 30 minutes by boat from Ninh Kieu station.
- Boat rental: about $15 for a private boat to visit the market
Cai Be Market (Tieng Giang province)
Unlike other floating markets, which start early in the morning and therefore finish earlier, Cai Be floating market stays open until late, to accommodate for foreigner travelers who might not be as keen on mornings as the native.
This is a hub for transporting goods, fruits and sea foods to and from the Mekong Delta and the rest of Vietnam
If you’re a photographer or simply love capturing moments, Cai Be is truly an endless source of inspiration to bring out unique ideas and images.
- Location: Cai Be province is only about 80km away from Ho Chi Minh; City driving along 1A highway.
- Transportation: You can book Cai Be floating market private tour or taxis to go there from district 1. Once reaching Cai Be bridge, just ask local people, they are more than happy to show you the direction to the floating market.
- Boat rental: Since Cai Rang is a tourist attraction, it offers lots of visiting methods to customers. You can either join a 2-hour tour on large boat with tour guide with $2/person or rent a private boat for group of 10 people with the price of $25.
Long Xuyen Market (An Giang province)
The local product sold here are veggies, pickles, squash, sweet potato, fruits and typical West-Southern snacks as fish rice noodle, pig-skinned pieces or salad roll.
- Time to visit: Long Xuyen market is active from from 6am to 6pm everyday, so you should go early.
- Location: The market is 2km away from Long Xuyen city, placed along the peaceful Hau river
Read full article at: https://blog.inspitrip.com/572/top-5-floating-markets-in-vietnam/
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