Coming to Cai Rang floating market (Can Tho), the first impression for tourists is the cuisine . Almost everyone is amazed and fascinated by the specialties of the capital of the West, such as: noodles, "shaken" noodles, coffee..., or taking pictures, stopping by specialty rafts to shop, experiencing making rice paper and rice rolls right on the river.
Unlike markets on land, Cai Rang floating market starts operating from around 3am every day with the first appearance of boats loaded with agricultural products. From early morning, the sound of boat engines, voices, and cheerful laughter of buyers and sellers... fill the area, creating a vibrant, bustling atmosphere that really attracts tourists. What is special about Cai Rang floating market is that there are no sales calls or signs, but agricultural products are hung by traders on poles (a pole about 3-5m long) erected on the selling boats. Tourists and buyers just look at the goods hung there to identify what the boats and canoes are selling.
On the floating market, occasionally there are boats carrying agricultural products, food, coffee, bread... that dock close to the ship's edge inviting customers to buy. The humorous tour guide told everyone: In addition to agricultural products, the specialty of the floating market is hu tieu and "shaken" vermicelli because the swaying of the river when the boats come and go busily creates waves that make the tourist boat constantly rock back and forth. Customers who want to experience a strong feeling can bring a bowl of hu tieu or vermicelli and eat right on their boat, while those who want to experience a lighter feeling can go on a raft, where there are tables and chairs to sit and eat.
Our boat stopped for breakfast at a place called Thuyen Hong Quoc Linh. The noodles here have a very unique flavor; the noodles are clear, smooth and chewy, made from delicious rice from the West; the broth is clear, sweet and aromatic, served with a bowl of noodles with boiled pork, thinly sliced beef balls, carrots, a few bean sprouts and lush green basil, very attractive to tourists... The price of a bowl of noodles is 45,000 VND. The owner of the noodle shop quickly made noodles for customers and shared: I have been selling here for more than ten years. I sell from 5am to 9am every day, the busiest time is from 7am to 8am. I sell not only to tourists, but also to people living along this floating market.
The family of Julian Hummels (German nationality) came to Vietnam for a vacation and chose to visit Cai Rang floating market. Through the introduction of the interpreter, it is known that Julian Hummels, his wife and 3 daughters have just been in Vietnam for a vacation for 2 days. From Ho Chi Minh City, they traveled to Can Tho to visit Cai Rang floating market, this is the family's first tourist destination. All family members were excited and delighted to see for the first time the scene of life and trade on the river; boats bustling with all kinds of things: coffee, soft drinks, fruits...
In the voices and laughter of buyers and sellers, sipping and enjoying the aroma of coffee, Mr. Julian Hummels shared: I have also traveled to many places in the world, but when I came to Vietnam, I was very impressed with the life and people here, from the very skilled boat driver to the stages of making noodles, coconut candy... produced right on the boat, the boat shows the uniqueness and strangeness. My wife and children also enjoyed this trip very much. After the Cai Rang floating market tour, my family will continue to visit the famous tourist destination of Phu Quoc (Kien Giang).
With a favorable location in the river system in Cai Rang district, Cai Rang floating market has many opportunities to develop and become an important trading point, attracting many boats and ships from neighboring provinces around Can Tho city. Cai Rang floating market is a symbol of river culture, clearly showing the unique characteristics of the land and people of the West. In 2016, Cai Rang floating market was recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, and was voted by Rough Guide Travel Magazine as one of the 10 most impressive markets in the world. It is known that in 2024, the total number of visitors and tourists to Can Tho will be about 6.3 million.
Le Dung
Source: https://baohanam.com.vn/du-lich/nhon-nhip-cho-noi-cai-rang-149229.html
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