Can Tho Floating Market Tour: Top 6 Reasons To Experience

Floating markets are a unique cultural feature in the Mekong Delta. Every day, people gather on the river in boats carrying all kinds of goods, from agricultural products to household items. Because of its poetic beauty, Can Tho floating market tour is the choice of many tourists when visiting Vietnam.

Let’s join Joy Journeys to decode the appeal of this land and to know the reasons why you should not miss this destination in your journey to explore the South!

Introduction: the allure of Can Tho floating markets

Floating markets have been a part of the Mekong Delta since the late 17th century. As people settled the land and it became more populated, markets naturally formed on the rivers, eventually becoming lively and bustling trade hubs.

Floating markets, commonly found in river areas that serve as main transportation routes, ensure both safety and convenience for sellers and buyers who use boats as their primary means of transportation. These markets are usually located in sections of the river that are narrow enough to ensure a smooth and secure trading experience.

First-time visitors to a floating market are often surprised to see a tall pole on each boat. With warmth and openness, the merchants will explain that this is called a ‘cay beo.’ They hang the goods they sell on the pole, allowing buyers to simply float by and choose the items they want.

Cai Rang floating market

Cai Rang Floating Market is a well-known tourist spot in Can Tho. Located 6 km from the city center, it takes 30 minutes to reach by boat from Ninh Kieu Wharf. The market typically operates from dawn until around 9 a.m., with the busiest time between 6 and 7 a.m., when tourists should visit to experience the lively atmosphere.

The market specializes in trading the region’s famous agricultural products and fruits, such as Vinh Long grapefruit, Tra Vinh wax coconut, Lai Vung pink grapefruit, and Cai Mon durian. In addition to fresh produce, visitors will also find various essential goods and services, including floating coffee shops and pubs. Visitors can buy products, have breakfast, and enjoy local specialties right on the boats.

This floating market is a unique cultural feature of the Mekong Delta, attracting many foreign tourists to visit.

Phong Dien floating market

Besides Cai Rang Floating Market, Phong Dien Floating Market is another popular tourist destination in Can Tho. Located in Phong Dien district, about 17 km from Can Tho’s city center, the market typically operates from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. daily. The goods sold here mainly include boats, fishing gear, nets, baskets, knives, and other essential items.

One of the defining features of Phong Dien floating market is the hospitality of its people. Vendors often gather to chat animatedly, and you’ll frequently see them raising their hands to greet customers passing by on other boats warmly.

Why shouldn’t tourists miss a Can Tho floating market tour?

Witness the bustling trade

To experience the vibrant and authentic atmosphere of the floating market, it’s best to visit between 5 and 9 a.m. As dawn breaks over the river, you can take in the beautiful scenery of a peaceful morning. During this time, the market comes alive with boats full of goods, creating a bustling and unique scene.

Enjoy a cup of coffee and choose a delicious breakfast to immerse yourself fully in the locals’ daily lives.

Sample local delicacies

The floating market is one of the best places to experience regional cuisine:

• Food and drink: Don’t miss the chance to taste local agricultural products such as rambutan, star apple, mango, and grapefruit. The market also offers breakfast dishes like ‘hu tieu’, ‘bun rieu’, and broken rice, each with its own delicious and tempting flavors. After your meal, you can quench your thirst with Vietnamese coffee, soft drinks, or fresh coconut water from the boats selling beverages.
• Price: Prices vary depending on the dish, but overall, the food at the floating market is quite affordable, with an average breakfast costing around 40,000 VND.

Authentic interactions with locals

• Meet local vendors: The vendors at Can Tho’s floating markets are gentle and friendly, and you’ll experience their warm hospitality when you visit.
• Learn about daily life on the Mekong River: Chat with the locals and get more insights into their daily lives along the river.

Scenic beauty and photography opportunities

A Can Tho floating market tour is perfect for tourists who love to take photos and capture valued moments:

• Picturesque sunrise views: As you sit on the boat heading to the market, you’ll have the chance to admire the stunning sunrise over the river. With the green trees and the peaceful waters, the scenery becomes both poetic and romantic—an ideal backdrop for your check-in photos.
• Vibrant boats and local produce: Many vendors live and work on their boats, treating them as their homes. You can explore these unique floating houses and observe the daily routines of the locals. In addition, some boats serve as small factories, making vermicelli, rice noodles, and more. You can even participate in the production process for a truly unique experience.

Visit local villages and workshops

The Mekong region is home to numerous traditional handicraft villages, each showcasing a variety of artisanal practices, from mat weaving and water hyacinth crafting to coconut candy and chocolate production.

In addition to exploring the vibrant floating markets, visitors can immerse themselves in these villages to witness and participate in the meticulous process behind these unique handmade products. This offers not only a cultural insight into the craftsmanship of the Mekong but also a chance to appreciate the intricate skills passed down through generations.

Explore the Mekong Delta

• Ninh Kieu Wharf: This bustling area is home to a night market and a lively walking street, where you can enjoy street food like palm cake and grilled rice paper. It’s also the spot to purchase tickets for a dinner cruise, allowing you to experience the city at night from the water.
• Truc Lam Phuong Nam Zen Monastery: The most significant temple in the Mekong Delta attracts many visitors daily. This site offers insight into the people’s spiritual life in the region.
• Eco-tourism and nature experiences: The Mekong Delta offers beautiful mangrove forests for a journey immersed in nature. Here, you can ride a sampan, watch flocks of birds, and take in the lush green scenery.

How to book a Cai Rang floating market tour from Ho Chi Minh city?

If you’re looking for a reliable option to book a Cai Rang floating market tour from Ho Chi Minh City, consider Joy Journeys.

We are a licensed tour provider with a direct booking office at 161 Ly Tu Trong, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1. Our focus is creating personalized tours that meet customer needs, with group sizes limited to under 10 participants, unique itineraries, and authentic experiences.

To book a tour in advance or for more information, you can contact us via:

• Website: joyjourneys.com.vn
• WhatsApp: +84 (0) 868.17.66.79

In case of any unforeseen circumstances, you can cancel the tour up to 48 hours in advance for a full refund.

Advantages of taking a Can Tho floating market tour with Joy Journeys

Joy Journeys is a travel company with a mission to ensure that tourists visiting Vietnam explore its sights and experience its rich cultural life. Below are the advantages that Joy Journeys is committed to offering you.

Expert guides

The quality of the guide is a crucial factor in ensuring a seamless and enjoyable tour experience. Therefore, Joy Journeys implements a thorough and meticulous process for selecting and training our tour guides. We ensure that our guides are fluent in foreign languages and possess professionalism, politeness, cheerfulness, and attentiveness.

Hassle-Free experience

Joy Journeys understands that visitors desire a smooth and well-prepared journey when choosing a package tour. Therefore, our tours guarantee a unique and seamless schedule, comfortable transportation, delicious Vietnamese meals, and suitable accommodations. When you decide to travel with Joy Journeys, we promise to provide an experience that is “more than just a trip.”

Safety and comfort

Our tour schedules and destinations have been carefully surveyed and selected to ensure the safety of our visitors. Currently, our premier small tours accommodate a maximum of 10 guests, allowing for a more comfortable journey with attentive care from our tour guides, and enabling you to enjoy less touristy destinations.

Joy Journeys is also committed to timely pick-ups. We guarantee that our drivers will arrive at the pick-up point no later than 8 minutes after the scheduled time.

Time efficiency

Joy Journeys helps you maximize your trip time. Everything is arranged to allow you to enjoy the experience without feeling rushed. You can save time on scheduling and selecting destinations, allowing you to fully appreciate what has been carefully prepared with the dedication of Joy Journeys.

Access to hidden gems

Joy Journeys offers a unique route in the Mekong Delta to avoid crowded tourist areas while providing a longer boat trip. Explore Can Tho City, the bustling center of the Mekong Delta, with us.

• Join the Bustling Activities at Cai Rang Floating Market: This is the tour’s highlight. In addition to enjoying a boat ride through the lively market, you can shop for local specialties to enjoy or take home as gifts.
• Cycling to visit Truc Lam Phuong Nam Zen Monastery: Cycle along tree-lined roads to this renowned spiritual site in Can Tho, where you can learn about the spiritual life of the local people.
• Exploring rice noodle production farms: Dried rice noodles are a key ingredient in many Western specialties, such as My Tho and Can Tho rice noodles. Joy Journeys will guide you through the fascinating process of making this delicious staple.

Conclusion

The Can Tho Floating Market tour is one of the best options for tourists exploring this fertile land. Throughout this journey, visitors will not only gain insights into the local culture but also discover its spiritual elements and cuisine.

Don’t hesitate to contact us and craft your trip through:

• Website: joyjourneys.com.vn
• WhatsApp: +84 (0) 868.17.66.79