Cai Rang floating market in Can Tho city is a fantastic tourism hotspot in the Mekong Delta. The market is the biggest of its kind in the Mekong Delta where trading on waterways has been a way of life for generations. It has been chosen as one of the 10 most impressive markets in the world by UK magazine Rough Guide. It was the only Southeast Asian representative to break into the list. 'Visiting the floating market in Cai Rang is a must-do activity when in Mekong Delta. A huge spread of produce is on sale from a fleet of brightly coloured boats. Most traders advertise their wares from the top of a long pole attached to their vessel,' UK magazine Rough Guides stated. (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+) 
The market opens every day from dawn to about 8 to 9 am. Small boats serving as floating convenient stores and restaurants for locals and visitors create a lovely feature of the market. Cai Rang Floating Market is located on Cai Rang River, about 6km from the heart of Can Tho city. To reach the market by waterway, it takes about 30 minutes from Ninh Kieu Wharf in the district of the same name. Small boats with lots of goods are always available for tourists to choose from. As soon as first rays of the sun hit, boats with signature agriculture products of the Mekong Delta area gather at the Cai Rang floating market. (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+) 
The market is the biggest of its kind in the Mekong Delta where trading on waterways has been a way of life for generations. Traders gather at Cai Rang market, about five kilometers from downtown Can Tho, to buy fresh vegetables and fruit to resell elsewhere. The name of this market has been existing for a long time, but nobody knows exactly about its origin. Legendarily, the name came from a big crocodile’s teeth which were plugged into the river’s bank. Thus, the land was called Cai Rang (means a tooth). Another theory mentioned in a book related to southern language, that Cai Rang has its origin from Khmer language – 'karan' means a moulded clay stove. Khmer people made a lot of 'karan' and sold them everywhere in this region. Since then, local people pronounced 'karan' into Cai Rang. (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+) 
The floating market is located on Can Tho River (part of Hau River), Cai Rang District – about 6 km away from the centre of Can Tho City in the direction to Soc Trang, or around 45 minutes away from Ninh Kieu Quay by boat. In 2016, Cai Rang Floating Market was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage. The market was also elected as one of the most impressive markets in the world by UK’s Rough Guide. Once you visit Mekong, floating market is a kind of things should not miss in your travel plan. To experience Cai Rang at its best, get up early and take a boat trip, it is really worth for your day visit. (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+) 
Cai Rang Floating Market began operation over 100 years ago as a place to sell agricultural products and local cuisine. It is open every day from 4am to 9am, and attracts up to 500 boats visiting the kilometre-long market during holidays and festivals. Cai Rang Floating Market does not open in lunar festive days, such as the first and second days of the first lunar month, Doan Ngo Festival (the fifth day of the fifth lunar month). The market was recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2016. The floating market of Cai Rang has been chosen as one of the 10 most impressive markets in the world by UK magazine Rough Guides. (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+) 
Cai Rang Floating Market is the most famous and biggest floating market in the Mekong Delta region. The market is a unique culture trait of local people living along this mighty river. Instead of shopping in the town, they shop and barter on the river that is more convenient to access by waterways. The market, which has thrived for over a century, has been a centre for commerce in Can Tho City and its neighbouring provinces, such as An Giang, Vinh Long, Dong Thap, Tra Vinh and Soc Trang. It was formed when road and transportation system had not been developed yet. (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+) 
The floating market is located on Can Tho River (part of Hau River), Cai Rang District – about 6 km away from the center of Can Tho City in the direction to Soc Trang, or around 45 minutes away from Ninh Kieu Wharf by boat. In 2016, Cai Rang Floating Market was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage. The market was also elected as one of the most impressive markets in the world by UK’s Rough Guide. Once you visit Mekong, floating market is a kind of things should not miss in your travel plan. To experience Cai Rang at its best, get up early and take a boat trip, it is really worth for your day visit. (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+) 
Cai Rang Floating Market, which has thrived for over a century, has been a centre for commerce in Can Tho City and its neighbouring provinces, such as An Giang, Vinh Long, Dong Thap, Tra Vinh and Soc Trang. It was formed when road and transportation system had not been developed yet. The need of exchanging agricultural products and basic things had connected local people by boats on rivers. Today, even when the road traffic network has developed significantly in this area, Cai Rang Floating Market still keeps growing and brings value to the locals in terms of economy, culture, and tourism. (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+) 
The name of this market has been existing for a long time, but its origin has not been clear. Legendarily, the name came from a big crocodile’s teeth which were plugged into the river’s bank. Thus, the land was called Cai Rang (means a tooth). Another theory mentioned in a book related to southern language, that Cai Rang has its origin from Khmer language – 'karan' means a moulded clay stove. Khmer people made a lot of 'karan' and sold them everywhere in this land. Since then, local people pronounced 'karan' into Cai Rang. The market is a fantastic tourism hotspot in the Mekong Delta. (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+) 
Unlike the Northern part of Vietnam where there are 4 distinct seasons, the South has only 2 major seasons: the rainy season (from May to November) and the dry season (from December to April). The weather in Vietnam is quite mild, so travellers can visit Cai Rang market at any time of the year. Each season, of course, brings different experience to tourists. Trips during the rainy season will be much more relaxing due to the cooler atmosphere while the harvest season falls during the dry months, which means there will be more types of native fruits and agricultural products available. (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+) 
Cai Rang Floating Market serves as a wholesale market for fruits and other agricultural products of the region. Commodities gather there in a large number. You can see traders juggling fruit from boat to boat in a very smooth manner. Just look at what’s tied to the long pole above the boat to see what they’re selling. Local people and those from surrounding areas often use middle-size boats, canoes to carry agricultural products to the market, while big boats are used by traders to deliver fruit to everywhere. The market began operation over 100 years ago as a place to sell agricultural products and local cuisine. (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+) 
Soaking up in the bustling atmosphere of the special market, you can observe and learn about life of many families with several generations living together on boats. Some boats look like 'mobile apartment' on the river with flower pots, animals, and full interior such as TV, DVD, stereo, and even a motorcycle parked on board. Boats are not only a mean of transport but also the residence for traders’ family. All daily activities take place on boats. Cai Rang Floating Market does not open in lunar festive days, such as the first and second days of the first lunar month, Doan Ngo Festival (the fifth day of the fifth lunar month). (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+) 
You shouldn’t miss out on cuisine experiences while visiting the floating market! Many floating restaurants open to serve breakfast for both sellers and shoppers. Here, you can find almost local dishes, such as 'com tam' (broken rice with grilled pork and egg), 'pho', 'hu tieu”, 'bun rieu' – some kinds of noodles that served with beef, pork and crab… With only 25,000 VND (around 1 USD), you can surely treat your hunger with quite a hearty meal. Don’t forget that people here serve a different type of coffee that you may not see anywhere: Ca Phe Kho. People keep coffee in a clay cook with fire to make it hot and good smell. With one dollar, you can have coffee for two! But if you are not familiar with the bitter of coffee, coconut is a different choice and sold around. (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+) 
Cai Rang Floating Market is definitely a must-visit destination in the Mekong Delta. A more than 2-hour flight from Hanoi or a 1.30-hour flight from Da Nang to Can Tho Airport will bring you to the southern city of Can Tho, where you need to stay one night and join the floating market in the next morning. There is no rail connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho. There is an international airport in Can Tho but no direct flight is operated between the two cities. So, you can travel by bus, taxi or private car/van which takes around 4 hours. (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+) 
If you are adventurous and like to drive yourselves, you can rent a motorbike in Ho Chi Minh City and make the journey via Mekong Delta provinces to Can Tho City. A private car/minivan will be, as always, definitely a great choice for every traveller to Mekong Delta’s largest city – Can Tho. It costs you more but provides you the most flexible itineraries, stops, photo opts… and you could reach to few other interesting places that you don’t have a chance to see if you go by bus or taxi. Typical tours of Mekong Delta often include a visit to My Tho, Ben Tre or Cai Be along the way to Can Tho. It means you should book a trip that includes services of a tour guide and a driver. (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+) 
As one of the main trading centres of the Mekong Delta, Cai Rang is a place where the locals sell and buy a wide range of products catering to their daily lives. Beside staple commodities, this is a famous location to find local products priced quite reasonably. You can find the freshest fruits harvested from nearby farms: durian, milk fruit, rambutan, mangosteen, grapefruit, etc., or even other processed specialties, such as fish sauce, coconut candy, or dried fish. The most distinctive feature of the floating market is probably the bamboo pole called 'Cay Beo' with a length of 3m – 5m. This is a unique way to advertise when all kinds of goods that they sell are hang on the top so buyers could see from distance. (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+) 
When it is still dark, local merchants bring their farm products and other things to the market. Buyers also want to shop early when the weather is still cool then go home to start their normal day. That is why you should get up early to see the most exciting moment of the market. The best time is from 5am to 7am when hundreds of boats gather to buy and sell goods in crowds. The most distinctive feature of the floating market is probably the bamboo pole called 'Cay Beo' with a length of 3m – 5m. This is a unique way to advertise when all kinds of goods that they sell are hang on the top so buyers could see from distance. (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+) 
Cai Rang Floating Market is definitely a must-visit destination with a lot of activities to do, but getting there and being able to immerse into an authentic floating market experience could be a real challenge for many foreign visitors. It is about 6km away from the city centre to Ninh Kieu Wharf. You can easily take a taxi or motorbike to the quay then buy a boat ticket (18 USD per private boat or 6 USD per person for a sharing boat) to explore the floating market. After touring the Cai Rang Floating Market, you can also take time to walk around villages along the river to visit rice paper factory or fruit gardens. It is interesting to enjoy the cultural life in the Mekong Delta. (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+) 
To experience Cai Rang at its best, get up early and take a boat trip, it is really worth for your day visit. It is about 6km away from the city centre to Ninh Kieu Wharf. You can easily take a taxi or motorbike to the quay then buy a boat ticket (18 USD per private boat or 6 USD per person for a sharing boat) to explore the floating market. After touring the Cai Rang Floating Market, you can also take time to walk around villages along the river to visit rice paper factory or fruit gardens. It is interesting to enjoy the cultural life in the Mekong Delta. (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+) 
Cai Rang Floating Market is definitely a must-visit destination with eye-opening activities to do, but getting there and being able to immerse into an authentic floating market experience could be a real challenge for many foreign visitors. In 2016, the market attracted more than 50,000 domestic and foreign tourists. The market opens every day from dawn to about 8 to 9 am. Small boats serving as floating convenient stores and restaurants for locals and visitors create a lovely feature of the market. As soon as first rays of the sun hit, boats with signature agriculture products of the Mekong Delta area gather at the Cai Rang floating market. (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+) 
The market is the biggest of its kind in the Mekong Delta where trading on waterways has been a way of life for generations. The market was recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2016. The market was also elected as one of the most impressive markets in the world by UK’s Rough Guides. Once you visit Mekong, floating market is a kind of things should not miss in your travel plan. 'Visiting the floating market in Cai Rang is a must-do activity when in Mekong Delta. A huge spread of produce is on sale from a fleet of brightly coloured boats. Most traders advertise their wares from the top of a long pole attached to their vessel,' UK magazine Rough Guides stated. (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+) 
In 2016, Cai Rang Floating Market was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage. The market was also elected as one of the most impressive markets in the world by UK’s Rough Guide. Once you visit Mekong, floating market is a kind of things should not miss in your travel plan. 'Visiting the floating market in Cai Rang is a must-do activity when in Mekong Delta. A huge spread of produce is on sale from a fleet of brightly coloured boats. Most traders advertise their wares from the top of a long pole attached to their vessel,' UK magazine Rough Guides stated. (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+) VNA
