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In Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, trading has happened on water for generations. On small boats called sampans, vendors sell fruits, vegetables, and freshly prepared local food.
For an authentic experience, include floating markets in your Vietnam itinerary.
The Culture of Vietnam’s Floating Markets
More than places to buy and sell, floating markets are an important part of local culture in Vietnam and have lasted for over a century.
Earlier, when roads were limited, rivers were the main transport routes in the delta, and this is
Interesting facts about the Floating Markets in Vietnam
- The boats are not just used for business; they are also homes where people live with their families, which are passed down from generation to generation.
- With development, people moved their business onto land. Yet some of these floating markets still operate, giving visitors a chance to see a vanishing part of the culture.
- Floating markets created their own customs. One such example is the Cây Bẹo system: bamboo poles in each boat with samples of their goods tied to the top. This acts as a signboard, showing what each boat is selling, especially helpful because it’s hard to hear vendors over the noise of boat engines.
Best Floating Markets in Vietnam
Vietnam’s offbeat destinations require more than a few days to explore properly. Beyond city nightlife, explore Vietnam’s authentic side through rice terrace hikes and floating market visits.
The Mekong Delta in Vietnam covers a large area in the southwest. Here, traditional Vietnamese culture remains largely unchanged.
Cai Rang Floating Market
- Location: Can Tho Province
- Suggested visiting hours: 05:00 AM to 10:00 AM daily (busiest from 05:30 to 07:00 AM)
- How to get here: There are many organised tours to Cai Rang Floating Market; just book in advance, as many provide pickup from your hotel.
- Cost: Approx. 2,500 INR per person for the tour.
Cai Rang is the largest floating market in Vietnam. Sellers and buyers exchange a wide variety of goods here, especially tropical fruits like pineapples and mangoes, which are special to this region.
Every morning, you will see hundreds of boats on the river, and it’s lively compared to other markets.
At Cai Rang, each boat uses a tall bamboo pole, called “Cây Bẹo”, to display samples of what they are selling. For example, if you see pineapples hanging from a pole, that boat is selling pineapples. If you notice durian, you will probably smell it first, so you can stop there to buy it.
Activities in Cai Rang Floating Market tours
- Three to four hours of sailing, starting at 05:00 AM
- Can Tho sunrise on the Mekong River
- A rice noodle workshop
- A stop at a place where coconut candy is made
- Buy breakfast from floating kitchens: hot noodle soup or strong Vietnamese coffee
- Explore Mekong’s fish market to see locals trading fish
- Some tours offer village walks and a visit to a fruit garden
Long Xuyen Floating Market
- Location: An Giang Province, Long Xuyen City
- Hours: Open daily from 05:00 AM to 10:30 AM. For the most authentic experience, it is best to visit between 05:00 and 06:30 in the morning.
- Getting to the market: From Phà An Hòa (ferry terminal), take a ferry to the market. As this is not a tourist destination, you can find guides once you arrive, though they are less likely to be available online.
- Cost: Approximately 523 INR per person.
Long Xuyen Floating Market offers an authentic local experience through river-based trading culture.
Unlike Cai Rang, which has tours organised for tourists, Long Xuyen is for local traders. The market stretches for two kilometres along the Hau River. You will see the daily activities of a wholesale market that supplies goods to neighbouring areas.
The market begins before sunrise, with boats arriving early to find good spots on the river. By sunrise, the market is busy, with wholesalers moving boxes of fruit, small boats navigating between larger boats, and ferries carrying local people to and from the market.
The atmosphere is focused on business, as people come to work and earn a living, not to entertain visitors.
Reasons to visit Long Xuyen Floating Market
- Prices at Long Xuyen Floating Market are much lower than at Cai Rang.
- It is a good place to buy fresh pomelos, mangosteens, dragon fruit, and other fruits at wholesale rates.
- If you are hungry, there are a few small floating boats with kitchens that serve dishes like Bún riêu (crab noodle soup) and bánh mì (baguettes), made with traditional recipes.
- Take photos of riverside stilt houses.
- Talk with local vendors and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere.
Tra On Floating Market
- Location: Tra On District, Vinh Long Province.
- Time: By 02:00 AM, boats begin to arrive, but the recommended time to visit is from 05:00 to 07:00 AM.
- Reaching the market: From town piers, boats depart for the market. You can also rent a boat or find a tour guide nearby.
- Cost: Approx. starts from 550 INR per person for a boat ride.
The Tra On Floating Market is one of the liveliest markets in the Mekong Delta. The river fills with colourful boats and the sounds of early morning trade.
The market area spans about 300 metres in length and 150 metres in width, with boats either anchored in the middle of the river or along the riverbank.
Tra On is not just a tourist destination; it is also an important wholesale centre. Farmers and traders from surrounding areas bring freshly harvested produce.
You will find a few small boats offering noodles, coffee, bread, and household items.
For those interested in photography or experiencing the market’s unique atmosphere, it is best to visit by boat between 04:00 and 06:30 AM to capture both night and day views.
Highlights of Tra On Floating Market
- The river is crowded with traders working under lantern light before sunrise.
- The intersection of the two rivers, the Hau and the Mang Thit, adds to the market’s appeal.
- Visiting from 05:00 AM to 06:30 AM helps you witness the market transition from the soft light of lanterns to the bright energy of the morning.
- Most buyers are small-scale traders who purchase goods to supply smaller markets across Vinh Long and nearby provinces.
Conclusion
Vietnam’s floating markets are in transition between preserving their traditions and adapting to modern changes. As roads have improved and lifestyles have shifted, these river markets have become less common.
However, places like Cai Rang and Long Xuyen still offer a genuine experience of life in the Mekong Delta. There is something unique about seeing the sunrise over the water while vendors arrange colourful fruits and vegetables on boats.
Planning a Vietnam trip that includes offbeat destinations requires local knowledge. At Dimaak Tours, we help you plan the trip based on your likes and dislikes to give you a memorable experience.
FAQs on the Floating Market in Vietnam
1. What is the most famous floating market in Vietnam?
Cai Rang Floating Market, located in Can Tho Province, is Vietnam’s best-known floating market. It is about six kilometres from the centre of Can Tho city and has been an important trading place for over a hundred years.
Cai Rang is popular because it is easy to reach, and many tours are organised to explore the river-trading culture in Vietnam.
2. Are floating markets closed in Vietnam?
Many websites and old YouTube videos still feature inactive floating markets. Check recent Google reviews and confirm with your hotel or tour guide before visiting.
Here are some of the inactive and less lively floating markets in Vietnam
- Cai Be Floating Market: Permanently closed.
- Phong Dien Floating Market: This small market with few boats is far from the city. According to recent visitor reviews, the market has limited activity and may not be worth the trip.
- Nga Bay Floating Market: Operates mainly on land now.
- Floating Market Ca Mau: Permanently closed.
3. How much does it cost to visit floating markets in Vietnam?
The cost to visit floating markets in Vietnam varies based on the market you choose, the size of your group, and how long you want to spend on the water.
- Cai Rang Floating Market: A tour costs approx 2,500 INR per person. As this is a famous tourist attraction, you can book a 3-hour tour that takes you to the boats where you can buy the best noodles, crafts, and tropical fruits.
- Long Xuyen & Tra On Floating Market: As these two markets are not tourist hubs, there are only local tour guides at the locations. It can cost you approximately 550 INR per person on a shared ride.
Additional expenses may include fruit farm visits, breakfast from floating vendors, or local products along the way.
4. What should you bring and wear when visiting floating markets?
- Vietnamese dong in smaller denominations because there are no ATMs nearby, and vendors do not accept cards.
- A waterproof case or a dry bag to protect your phone and camera.
- Comfortable, closed shoes with a good grip, since boat surfaces can be slippery, and flip-flops are not recommended.
- A rain jacket during the rainy season.
- A small backpack to carry any fruit or souvenirs you buy.
