Top 8 most famous floating markets in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam

Floating markets are a typical form of trading activity of the people in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam, attracting tourists with their unique culture. In this article, Ama Journey will introduce to you the top 8 famous floating markets in the Mekong Delta, which are still the most vibrant and bustling with activity.

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1. Cai Rang Floating Market, Can Tho

Cai Rang Floating Market is a familiar and attractive destination for many tourists when visiting Can Tho. Known as the largest floating market in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam, Cai Rang was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2016.

Bustling Cai Rang Floating Market in the morning

Located about 6km from the center of Can Tho City, Cai Rang Floating Market is a must-see attraction. You can take a boat from Ninh Kieu Wharf to get here in about 30 to 45 minutes. As one of the three largest floating markets in the Mekong Delta, Cai Rang is bustling with buyers and sellers, with hundreds of large and small boats moored close together from early morning. The market opens from 3 am to 10 am every day and is open almost all day during Tet.

In the past, Cai Rang Market mainly sold agricultural products and each boat specialized in selling only one type of product. This floating market in the Mekong Delta is famous for selling agricultural products and specialty fruits of the region such as Vinh Long grapefruit, Tra Vinh wax coconut, Lai Vung tangerine and Cai Mon durian. However, the market has now diversified with cuisine, household items and essential items for life on the river.

When coming to Cai Rang Floating Market, you can visit, shop for a variety of items, have breakfast and enjoy specialties right on the boats. This is a typical cultural feature of the Mekong Delta that attracts many tourists every year.

Cai Rang Floating Market is located at the confluence of the Cai Rang River and the Hau River. This location has a water level that is neither too deep nor too shallow, thus boats can easily anchor and move back and forth on the river. In addition, this floating market in the Mekong Delta is also located near a market on the shore and a large fruit orchard, so the buying and selling activities here are very bustling.

According to researcher Vuong Hong Sen in the book "Southern Voice Dictionary", the name "Cai Rang" comes from the Khmer word "karan" which means "ca rang" (God of the kitchen). The Khmer people in Xa Ton (Tri Ton) produce a lot of karan and sell them everywhere, especially in the Can Tho River area. Gradually, the word "karan" was pronounced by the Vietnamese as "ca rang" and then "Cai Rang."

2. Nga Nam Floating Market, Soc Trang

Located in Nga Nam Town, about 60km from Soc Trang City, Nga Nam Floating Market is one of the rare floating markets in the Mekong Delta that still retains the rustic and natural culture of the local people.
Nga Nam Floating Market starts operating very early from about 4 to 5 am. The time from 6 to 7 am is when the market is most crowded with hundreds of boats gathering, creating a bustling and vibrant scene on the riverbank. 

Nga Nam ( 5 way-intersections ) Floating Market in Mekong, Vietnam

In particular, after the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month every year, Nga Nam Market operates almost all day, creating an even more energetic environment every time Tet comes to spring.
Nga Nam Floating Market is an important hub for goods transportation in and around the neighboring provinces. Most of the trading and living activities take place on boats. Market-goers only need to look at the "cay beo" - the poles hanging goods - to know which boats sell the items they are looking for. The boats can easily dock together to exchange and buy and sell goods right on the water.

For a complete experience, you should come to the market early in the morning, and enjoy breakfast right on the boat with Soc Trang specialties such as vermicelli soup, crab paste vermicelli soup, rice noodles, etc.

3. Phong Dien Floating Market, Can Tho

Another unique floating market in the Mekong Delta region that Ama Journey wants to introduce to you is the Phong Dien Floating Market. Located about 17km East of Can Tho City center, Phong Dien Floating Market offers a special experience for those who want to explore the culture of the river in the Mekong Delta.

Nowadays, Phong Dien floating marketing is less and less crowded

Phong Dien Floating Market starts at around 4 am and lasts until 8 am. This is the ideal time for you to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the market and shop for Can Tho specialties such as fruits and many other fresh vegetables.

4. Cai Be Floating Market, Tien Giang

Cai Be Floating Market is located on the Tien River in Cai Be District, Tien Giang Province and is one of the most famous floating markets in the Mekong Delta. This floating market was formed in the 18th century, stretching for kilometers, bordering the three provinces of Tien Giang, Vinh Long and Ben Tre, creating an attractive destination for both trade and tourism.

Cai Be floating market in Mekong River

Cai Be Floating Market operates from about 2 am to 8 am, and is a bustling trading place with a variety of goods from fabrics, and household items to food and drinks. This place is especially famous for its rich fruit orchard, including typical fruits such as pomelo, Lo Ren star apple, oranges, tangerines and many other fruits.

The best time to visit Cai Be Floating Market is at dawn. This is when the market is most crowded and bustling, giving you a great experience when sightseeing and enjoying hot bowls of noodles or a cup of fragrant coffee right on the boat.

Although the scale of Cai Be Floating Market is not as large as before, local people and the Tien Giang tourism industry still strive to preserve this unique cultural identity, turning Cai Be Floating Market into an important highlight in tourists' sightseeing itineraries.

In addition to the floating market, Cai Be also has a rustic beauty with canals, green fruit gardens and traditional handicraft villages. The ancient houses here also contribute to creating a unique cultural and historical picture of the region. If you have the opportunity to come to Tien Giang, you should not miss the opportunity to explore the beautiful countryside and experience interesting things in Cai Be.

5. Nga Bay Floating Market, Hau Giang

Nga Bay Floating Market is located about 75km from the center of Hau Giang and about 35km from Can Tho and is one of the oldest and most famous floating markets in the Mekong Delta. In particular, the market is located at the intersection of seven rivers, creating a unique and interesting scene.

Nga Bay ( 7 way-intersection) floating market in Mekong, Vietnam

Nga Bay Floating Market sells a variety of products from vegetables, household items, and handicrafts to Southern dishes and rich fruits such as rambutan, mangosteen, and durian. This place is also famous for its unique products such as snakes, geckos, birds, squirrels, and soft-shell turtles, making a visit to the market an unforgettable experience.

6. Long Xuyen Floating Market, An Giang

Located on the Hau River, in My Phuoc Ward, Long Xuyen City, An Giang Province, Long Xuyen Floating Market is one of the less commercialized floating markets in the Mekong Delta, retaining its rustic and peaceful features. 

Long Xuyen Floating Market - Mekong, Vietnam

The market is most crowded in the morning, with goods mainly being vegetables, melons, squash, cabbage and famous dishes of An Giang such as fish noodles, pork skin cakes, and tam bi cakes. People here live and trade all year round on boats, considering them their home, creating a space imbued with the riverine character of this area.

7. Tra On Floating Market, Vinh Long

Tra On Floating Market is located downstream of the Hau River, about 250m from the Tra On estuary, considered a wholesale market because it focuses on selling many types of agricultural products such as taro, sweet potatoes, cucumbers, Tan Thanh oranges, and Luc Si Thanh durian. The market's specialty is a beef noodle soup with banana flowers, a dish with a rich flavor of the Mekong Delta that you should not miss when coming here.

8. Ca Mau Floating Market

Ca Mau Floating Market is located at the end of the Ganh Hao River, about 200m from Ganh Hao Bridge, trading from 2-3 am. The market sells items from food, and necessities to typical agricultural products of the region such as coconut, mango, rambutan, longan, and mangosteen. The busy and crowded environment early in the morning at Ca Mau Floating Market will give you an exciting insight into the life of the people in the Mekong Delta.

The floating market of the Mekong Delta is not only a place for trading but also an attractive tourist destination. It helps you better understand the life and culture of the people here. Each floating market has its own unique characteristics, creating a diverse and rich picture of the river region. 

Hopefully, through this article of Ama Journey, you will find inspiration and joy in your journey to explore the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. We wish you wonderful experiences and memorable memories!