"Vietnam. It grabs you and doesn't let go. Once you love it, you love it forever." Anthony Bourdain.
Over the years, my journeys to the southern areas of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) have mainly focused on exploring the Mekong River Delta. Each trip includes visiting the Can Tho Floating Market, Cai Rang. It is one of the largest and most famous markets in Vietnam.
The extensive network of floating markets on the rivers of Vietnam is economically and culturally significant to the country. For hundreds of years, locals have used boats and vessels as a point of commerce to sell fresh fruits and vegetables.
Exploring the Can Tho Floating Market offers an intimate glimpse into floating trade and the core of this Vietnamese tradition. Before that, let's examine the significance of this area of Vietnam to its inhabitants and the global community.
The Importance of the Mekong Delta Region
Visiting the floating market of Can Tho offers more than just photo opportunities; it provides insight into the lifestyle of the local Vietnamese community. Before your visit, a basic understanding of the Mekong River Delta region can enrich your experience and allow you better to appreciate the market's cultural and economic importance.
The Mekong River Delta is a vital agricultural region, producing approximately 50% of Vietnam's rice and nearly 75% of its fruit, aquaculture (fish farming), and fishery goods. Additionally, it ranks as the 3rd largest rice exporter after India and Thailand.
The Mekong River stretches over 3000 miles geographically, passing through six nations: China, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The Mekong Delta is one of Vietnam's most fertile and agriculturally significant regions. However, it is also known worldwide as one of the most vulnerable deltas due to the challenges arising from commercial agriculture and the transition from subsistence farming. The region also faces threats of the exploitation of natural resources, wetland loss, upstream hydropower development, and the projected rates of sea level rise.
More importantly, the Mekong Delta is home to over 18 million people. Many individuals rely on the resources of the Mekong River Delta for their livelihoods, not just for selling their produce at floating markets but for growing rice and food.
How To Get To The Can Tho Floating Market
It is essential to know that the market hours are busiest, around sunrise to 10 am.
These are some ways to get to the floating market.
Airplane: Travel to Can Tho International Airport, then take a taxi to Ninh Kieu Wharf to purchase a boat ticket.
From HCMC (Saigon): Take a bus, motorbike, or private car. With no traffic, it is about a 2.5-hour drive by car.
Book A Tour: Local travel agencies and travel consultants offer tours that include transportation, breakfast, or other attractions.
About The Can Tho Floating Market - Mekong River
The Mekong River has been Vietnam's lifeline for centuries, with the Can Tho Floating Market illustrating this enduring connection. This market has significantly influenced the culture and economy of the region.
Unlike shops and stalls in ordinary markets, fresh produce is bartered and traded on boats, canoes, and sampans. The vendors load their boats at shore and then motor them out to set up shop. The boats can be noisy and constantly maneuvering from one boat to another.
To minimize the noise from boat engines, each vessel is equipped with a tall bamboo pole, known locally as "Cay Beo," which is attached to the boat and displays samples of their products. Sellers hang durians, bananas, or any merchandise on their boats. This unique approach is a crucial market feature, allowing buyers to see what is available from a distance without shouting at one another.
The floating market also functions as a food hub. Women maneuver between boats, offering vendors tasty hot bowls of food. This serves as a greatly appreciated breakfast for locals during the early morning hours on the river.
When the market is at its peak, it becomes a lively place. As the floating market has become a tourist attraction (often between 500-700 visitors a day), the influx of tourist boats adds to its atmosphere. While tourists usually have cameras pointed at the vendors, the locals generally appear indifferent to their presence. Most vendors smile or wave and get back to business.
The Future of the Can Tho Floating Market
The future of Can Tho's floating market is unclear. Improved roads and the use of trucks to transport goods directly from farms to markets on land have diminished the need for river trade. This directly impacts the livelihoods of those who rely on the floating market.
The market's size has decreased by 50% in the last ten years. Nonetheless, local authorities are striving to support the market through tourism development. They aim to enhance trade by establishing unique tourist market zones and offering food stalls. Unfortunately, most vendors are not benefiting. Merely attracting tourists to the floating market for sightseeing has not substantially increased the income of local vendors.
The region's market also faces environmental pollution and climate change challenges. It will be an essential focus to steer the floating market towards sustainable development and diversify tourism services and products to retain vendors and attract visitors.
Despite potential challenges that the Can Tho Floating Market might face in the future, one thing is certain. This longstanding local tradition of trading on the Mekong River provides an insight into the hospitality and warmth of the local community.
The floating market in Can Tho offers a fascinating glimpse into the everyday lives of the locals in this area. It is a valuable addition to any South Vietnam itinerary.
Until next time,
Marla
To view my complete collection of images from Vietnam, visit my ART SHOP.
