Highlights of promoting tourism in Dong Thap province

CAI BE FLOATING MARKET - HIGHLIGHT OF THE FESTIVAL

On the morning of December 4, the People's Committee of Cai Be commune organized the opening ceremony of Cai Be Floating Market. This event is part of the series of activities of the 6th Dong Hoa Hiep Ancient Village Cultural - Tourism Festival in 2025.

Cai Be floating market is a unique cultural feature that has been associated with Cai Be people for generations. This is not only a place to buy and sell goods, but also a place to preserve vivid memories of an entire countryside.

Cai Be floating market used to be one of the busiest and most prosperous floating markets in the West. From early morning, large and small boats carrying fruits, agricultural products, and products converged here. People trading did not need signs, just a "beo" pole erected, hanging whatever they wanted to sell, and regular customers from everywhere came. Those rustic images created the soul of the West, simple but rich in Cai Be river culture.

Memories of floating markets, early morning market meetings and bustling crowds of people trading on the water are always an indispensable part of the souls of many people here. Therefore, the reenactment of the floating market is organized with the desire to evoke the sounds and colors so that each Cai Be resident can find memories of a bustling merchant era; honor the unique cultural values of the floating market. This is an opportunity to arouse pride, contribute to preserving and developing Cai Be river tourism in the new era.

Coming to “Nostalgia for Cai Be Floating Market”, visitors can experience the vividly recreated floating market space with boats, ships, goods and traditional trading activities; perform traditional music on the river reminiscent of the old Southern region, participate in folk games, and enjoy local specialties.

Mr. Nguyen Van Thuan (Cai Be commune) recalls: “At that time, in season, I went to the garden to buy longan and rambutan and then brought them to Cai Be floating market to sell for profit. Every day, there were hundreds of boats of traders from all over and local households coming to trade. The market's activities depended a lot on the season of fruits, vegetables and tubers of the people. In addition, many small boats moved around providing food and beverage services and products to serve the needs of life on the river.”

According to records, on the first day of re-enactment, Cai Be Floating Market attracted many domestic and foreign tourists to visit and experience. In the following days, the floating market promises to be the highlight of this year's Festival.

VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES

Along with the reenactment of Cai Be Floating Market, in the first two days of the Festival, there were many other rich cultural and artistic activities. Accordingly, on December 3, at Dong Hoa Hiep communal house, Cai Be Commune People's Committee organized many folk games attracting a large number of people and tourists to participate.

Tourists visit Ong Kiet's ancient house on December 4.

Traditional games such as sack jumping, tug of war, stick pushing, and piggy bank smashing contribute to the joyful and vibrant atmosphere of the Festival. At the same time, they help visitors understand more about the life, activities and culture of the local people.

Also on December 3, at Ong Kiet ancient house and Ba Duc ancient house, the contest of making offerings and five-fruit trays took place enthusiastically. The offerings were creatively and vividly created from local specialty fruits. According to the records, the entries were invested elaborately and meticulously by the teams, demonstrating their ingenuity in shaping, adding rich spiritual food to the festival.

Along with the above activities, the Festival also held a Heritage journey "Connecting Culture, Tourism and Craft Villages". This activity introduced OCOP products, typical agricultural products; displayed a special photo collection of Communal Houses and Ancient Houses of Dong Thap province; recreated traditional crafts... The activity attracted a large number of domestic and foreign tourists, including international tourists, to visit and enjoy.

Mr. Huynh Huu Thuan (Cai Be commune) expressed: "This year, the festival is organized with a larger scale and better quality than previous years. This year, the festival introduces images promoting tourism of the whole new Dong Thap province. This is an opportunity to promote tourism not only of Dong Hoa Hiep ancient village but also of the whole Dong Thap province".

Ms. Le Thi Chin, owner of Ba Duc ancient house, said that in recent days, the number of international visitors to visit the ancient house has increased more than before. With the re-enactment of Cai Be Floating Market, the ancient house hopes to create a highlight to attract more and more tourists to the ancient village.

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