1. Where is Cai Rang Floating Market? What time does it open?
Cai Rang Floating Market is located downstream of the Can Tho River, about 600 meters from Cai Rang Bridge. It covers a large area, with an average river width of 100-120 meters and a length of 1,300-1,500 meters. Each day, between 300-400 boats gather here, forming one of the largest Can Tho floating markets in the Mekong Delta.
The market opens as early as 5 AM, with activity peaking at sunrise. By 8 or 9 AM, the market begins to quiet down. At dawn, boats converge on the river, loaded with regional specialties such as fruits and agricultural products, creating a lively and colorful scene.
Explore more about the Mekong Delta – an enchanting region
2. What is Cai Rang Floating Market famous for?
2.1. The special name origin
The name “Cai Rang” has long been tied to this region, but its origin is surrounded by myths. One popular legend tells of a fierce crocodile that terrorized the area. After the creature was defeated, its body parts drifted through local waterways, giving rise to place names: “Dau Sau” (head) for where its head landed, “Cai Da” (skin) for its skin, and “Cai Rang” (teeth) for its teeth.
Mekong Delta’s Cai Rang floating market is a must-see destination for anyone who visits (Source: Collected)
Another theory comes from Vuong Hong Sen, a southern linguist, who proposed that “Cai Rang” derives from the Khmer word “karan,” meaning an earthen stove, as the Khmer people sold these stoves locally. Over time, the pronunciation shifted to “Cai Rang.”
2.2. The unique trading method
Cai Rang Floating Market in Can Tho is distinguished by its trading style among other floating markets in the Mekong Delta. The market revolves around the use of a “cay beo” – a long pole on which vendors hang samples of their goods. Instead of calling out to customers, sellers display what they have by tying a product to this pole.
For instance, if a boat specializes in sweet potatoes, a few would dangle from the pole; if selling mangoes, a cluster of mangoes would hang from it. This clever method makes it easy for buyers to spot what each boat offers from a distance, making the market vibrant and visually distinctive. These boats are known as “ghe beo.”
At this market, you’ll experience the vibrant and unique river culture of southern Vietnam (Source: Collected)
2.3. The values on tourism and transportation
Cai Rang Floating Market is not only a marketplace but a cultural hub, offering a glimpse into the daily life of river traders and preserving riverine traditions. Despite modern road networks, Cai Rang continues to thrive, with boats from as far as Ca Mau and Rach Gia converging here. Its proximity to Hau River, an international waterway, also ensures that the market remains a key trading point.
Designated as a national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism in 2016, the market is enriched by local beliefs, social customs, and traditional “don ca tai tu” performances passed down through generations. These cultural elements make Cai Rang a living heritage that continues to flourish.
The market has also earned international accolades. Rough Guide ranked it among the top 10 most impressive markets worldwide, noting its “vivid tropical colors” and unique floating setting, while Your Amazing Places included it among the top 6 most beautiful floating markets in Asia.
The market’s location allows it to blend diverse cultures from around the region (Source: Collected)
Check out this detailed list of Can Tho markets
3. What to do on your visit to Cai Rang Floating Market?
3.1. Enjoy the cuisine of the Mekong Delta amidst the floating rivers
If you arrive at Cai Rang Floating Market around 5 or 6 AM, by 7 AM, it is the perfect time to enjoy breakfast on the water. Many small boats weave through the larger ones, selling hot breakfast dishes such as porridge, pork rice, rice noodle soup, crab vermicelli, stir-fried noodles, and a variety of drinks including tea, coffee, coconut water, and soybean milk. Among the numerous delicious offerings, two must-try specialties are “hu tieu” (rice noodle soup) and “ca phe kho” (a unique slow-brewed coffee).
For those with a sweet tooth, you will find a section dedicated to traditional cakes like sweet rice noodles, coconut candy, and crispy fried treats, made fresh by local artisans. You can even watch the entire cooking process and enjoy warm, freshly-made snacks at as low as 1 USD.
If you are a fruit lover, small boats filled with fresh rambutan, longan, mangoes, and star apples will eagerly pull up next to your boat to offer you a taste of the region’s finest produce.
Cai Rang Market has so much to offer, from breakfast to dessert and more (Source: Collected)
3.2. Try making colorful rice noodles
A highlight for many visitors, especially international tourists, is the chance to try making traditional rice noodles (hu tieu noodles). At Cai Rang, you can watch the entire process, and even participate in crafting vibrantly colored noodles. These noodles are naturally colored using ingredients like “gac” fruit for orange, butterfly pea flowers for blue, pandan leaves for green, magenta plant leaves for purple, and beetroot for pink, making them both beautiful and entirely chemical-free.
You can try your hand at spreading the noodle dough onto molds and shape it to your preferred thickness and texture. The experience is interactive and guided, so you will receive careful instructions throughout. Besides this hands-on activity, you will also have the opportunity to fry noodles into crispy snacks.
A trip to Cai Rang Floating Market in Can Tho is not complete without trying to make colorful rice noodles (Source: Collected)
3.3. Listen to don ca tai tu
Every Sunday morning, a special boat drifts through the market, carrying local musicians and singers who perform “don ca tai tu,” a traditional form of Southern Vietnamese folk music. The floating performances enchant both tourists and market traders, with soothing melodies filling the air.
Visitors are invited to interact with the performers, often joining in for a song or two. It is not just entertainment but also part of an effort to preserve and promote “don ca tai tu,” which has been recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage.
The spontaneous “don ca tai tu” concerts bring to life the rich musical heritage of the Mekong Delta (Source: Collected)
3.4. Visit Que Toi Coconut Candy Factory
A trip to Cai Rang Floating Market would not be complete without a visit to the Que Toi Coconut Candy Factory. Coconut candy is a hallmark of the Mekong Delta, and at this factory, you can observe the entire candy-making process.
Visitors are welcome to take part in some of the steps, like stirring the boiling mixture on the stove or wrapping the candies by hand. There is no entry fee, and after your tour, you can browse through the souvenir shop to pick up some sweet coconut candies for friends and family back home.
Coconut candy, a beloved childhood treat, can be an ideal gift to bring back home (Source: Collected)
3.5. Buy local specialties
Before concluding your journey, take the time to shop for local specialties at the market. Can Tho, and the Mekong Delta in general, is famous for its bountiful orchards, offering a paradise of fruits such as rambutan, star apple, longan, mango, durian, and mangosteen. You will find small boats selling these fruits fresh and ripe, perfect for a healthy snack or as a thoughtful gift for loved ones.
In addition to fresh produce, the market offers a variety of other regional products. Floating shops sell dried fish, traditional cakes, and handmade crafts that make for unique souvenirs.
The colorful boats at Cai Rang Floating Market Vietnam offer a variety of fresh produce and local delicacies (Source: Collected)
3.6. Experience the local culture
Cai Rang Floating Market is more than just a place for commerce, it is a living reflection of Mekong Delta culture and lifestyle. As you navigate the market, you will hear the lively chatter of traders, the friendly calls of vendors, and even the occasional song from a passing boat. The warm and open-hearted spirit of the locals is immediately apparent, with river traders living by a code of cooperation and mutual respect.
There is a distinctive camaraderie here; sellers do not compete aggressively but often help one another, embodying the strong sense of community that life on the river fosters. This makes Cai Rang a truly unique cultural experience.
Cai Rang Floating Market offers visitors a genuine and unforgettable glimpse into the soul of the Mekong Delta (Source: Collected)
4. Useful information for tourists to Cai Rang Floating Market
4.1. When is the best time to visit?
The weather in Mekong Delta in general and Can Tho in specific experience two distinct seasons: the rainy season, from May to November, and the dry season, from December to April of the following year. You can visit the Cai Rang Floating Market in Vietnam during both seasons. However, if you are a fan of tropical fruits, the dry season (summer) is the best time to go, as the Mekong Delta is overflowing with fruit during this period.
So, when to visit the market during the day? Cai Rang Floating Market, like many other floating markets in the Mekong Delta, comes alive early in the morning. The ideal time to visit is between 4:00 AM and 5:00 AM, when boats start to gather. Arriving early lets you experience the bustling energy of sellers and buyers, while also witnessing the stunning sunrise over the market. By 6:00 AM, you can enjoy a local breakfast directly on one of the boats while soaking in the vibrant scenery.
Early morning is the best time to explore the bustling atmosphere of Cai Rang Floating Market (Source: Collected)
4.2. How to get to Cai Rang Floating Market?
It is best to start your tours to this vibrant market from Ninh Kieu Wharf. A typical tour route includes stops at Ninh Kieu Wharf, Can Tho Bridge, a fruit orchard, a coconut candy workshop, and a traditional rice noodle factory, with the entire Cai Rang Floating Market day tour lasting around four hours.
There are two main ways to rent a boat for your tour:
- Join a group tour: This option involves sharing a large boat with other tourists.
- Private boat rental: Rent a larger boat for groups or a smaller one for solo travelers or up to three people.
Here is a reference price list for boat rentals:
- 1 to 7 passengers: 500,000 VND per boat
- 8 to 15 passengers: 600,000 VND per boat
- 16 to 30 passengers: 700,000 VND per boat
- 31 to 40 passengers: 800,000 VND per boat
- Over 40 passengers: 900,000 VND per boat
Renting a private boat offers more flexibility for large groups, allowing you to stop wherever you like. Solo travelers or small groups can join a tour group, which is often more affordable based on the number of people onboard.
There are different options visitors can choose for your trip around Cai Rang Floating Market in Vietnam (Source: Collected)
*Please note that the prices are for reference only and may vary depending on the rental provider.
Starting Cai Rang floating market tour from Ho Chi Minh city? Check out Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho bus to plan your journey!
4.3. Extra tips
To ensure you have the best experience during your visit to Cai Rang Floating Market, here are some useful tips:
- Before heading out, check Can Tho’s weather forecast to plan your trip accordingly.
- When renting a boat, confirm all the details with the boat owner, including the price, itinerary, and duration. Agree on the price beforehand to avoid surprises.
- Do not pay any deposit unless necessary, and always request a clear receipt if you do.
- Always wear life jackets while traveling by boat.
- When buying food like porridge, vermicelli, or rice noodles from boat vendors, make sure to ask for the price first.
- Only ask about prices if you intend to purchase, especially from vendors selling fruit or agricultural products.
- Consider extending your journey to other famous Can Tho tourist sites, such as local fruit orchards or the My Khanh Tourist Village, which can be reached by boat.
Cai Rang Floating Market offers an authentic, unforgettable glimpse into life along the Mekong Delta. Whether you are a foodie, a culture enthusiast, or simply an adventurer, Cai Rang Market promises a one-of-a-kind adventure that captures the heart of Vietnam’s river culture.
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