Top 5 unmissable floating markets in Mekong Delta

In this article we will take you to top 5 unmissable floating markets in Mekong Delta

1. Cai Be floating market

Being in the interflow of Ben Tre, Vinh Long and Tien Giang, Cai Be floating market is the centre point for trading goods, fruits to many other areas in the country and an attractive tourist destination of Tien Giang. If the ordinary floating markets usually occurs in the morning, Cai Be floating market starts very early in the morning and only finishes very late at night. At dawn, this market looks already like a small street on the river. Little boats full of “street food” like phở, hủ tiếu, bún (different types of Vietnamese noodles) and miscellaneous goods passing through big boats’ board creating an animate picture of Cai Be market. Floating on the river with a bowl of noodle or a cup of traditional coffee with its natural aroma will be an indescribable experience. Don’t forget to bring some coconut soaps from Cai Be market as souvenirs for you and your relatives. 

2. Nga Nam floating market (Five-way intersection floating market)

Nga Nam (Five-way intersection) floating market is located in the Nga Nam town, Thanh Tri rural district, Soc Trang province. The name of this floating market is inspired from its location – which is on the five-way crossroad of Ca Mau, Vinh Quoi, Long My, Thanh Tri & Phung Hiep. This is one of the most aging and interactive floating markets in the Mekong Delta. Different from other floating markets, Nga Nam one commences at 3 AM, become more crowded at 5 AM and starts ending at 8 AM. From a far-away view, visitors will see a lot of boats that are full of goods such as cabbage, potato, tomato, onion, garlic and chili. It can be said that Nga Nam floating market has most of specialities in Mekong Delta, including some well-known rice types cultivated in the regional rice fields, many fruits from the big gardens in the South of Vietnam as well as sea food like shrimp, fish. The market is full of invitations from the boat owners and the little floating food courts serving visitors with rice soup, different types of noodles and coffee. Nga Nam still retains its simple and peaceful charm of a Southern floating market with women wearing traditional Southern Vietnamese garment, the sweet sound of traditional Southern songs and the typical voice of local people.

3. Cai Rang floating market

Cai Rang floating market is a familiar point of Can Tho. This market is specialized for trading fruits and local agricultural products. Each morning, hundreds of boats in varied sizes laying side by side and filled with goods. In this market, there is no need for commercials or promotions for goods to be sold. Coming to the market each morning, apart from purchasing regional goods, visitors can also have breakfast and experience the floating life of local residences. This market opens from 5 AM to 9 AM, selling fruits and agriculture products. This is a typical culture of Southern region that attracts many foreign visitors.

4. Phung Hiep floating market

Nga Bay (Seven-way intersection) or Phung Hiep is a floating market of Nga Bay village, established from 1915. This is a well-known market in Hau Giang where trading activities occurred among local residences living in the Mekong Delta. This is not only a point for trading but also a tourist attraction. Visitors coming here will be overwhelmed with colourful fruits, vegetable and mixing goods of this local market, especially the red of rambutans, the purple of mangosteens as well as the typical fragrance of durian. This market is also famous for selling snakes. Phung Hiep market provides snakes, turtles, birds, squirrels and lizards. Besides, there are also “banh cuon” (traditional Vietnamese rice crepe), “pho” (traditional Vietnamese noodle) and “banh xeo” (rice pancake folded in half and filled with a shrimp, meat and soya bean sprouts) loaded on sampans or little boats.

5. Long Xuyen floating market

Long Xuyen floating market lay on Hau river, belonging to My Phuoc rural district, Long Xuyen, An Giang. There are hundreds of little boats settles down beside each other and generating numerous trading activities every day. The most popular goods are vegetables, water melons, eggplants, choy sums, winter melons, sweet potatoes and typical food of An Giang such as fish noodle, “banh tam” (a traditional type off noodle made of rice mixing with cooked pork skin, dressed with fish sauce and coconut milk), or “banh da lon” (steamed Vietnamese layer cake). Long Xuyen floating market is not as big as other markets but it is a good suggestion for those who would like to explore the natural, simple and peaceful of local environment and people. The market is 2 km from the town center and situated on 1 side of Hau river. The special characteristic making this market standing out from other is that in this place, buyers do not need to bargain and usually go with the price offered as the market is not very big and the sellers are also honest, friendly and have not yet been influenced by the commercialized tourism. Therefore, if you want to see the natural beauty of Mekong Delta, Long Xuyen floating market is a must-go place. 

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