Upon arriving at Cai Rang floating market (Can Tho), the first impression for tourists is the cuisine . Almost everyone is amazed and captivated by the specialties of the capital of the Mekong Delta, such as: noodle soup, "shaken" noodles, coffee..., or they take photos, visit specialty rafts to shop, and experience making rice paper and spring rolls right on the river.
Unlike land-based markets, Cai Rang floating market starts operating around 3 AM daily with the first boats laden with agricultural products. From early morning, the sounds of boat engines, the cheerful chatter and laughter of buyers and sellers fill the area, creating a vibrant and bustling atmosphere that truly attracts tourists. What's special about Cai Rang floating market is that there are no street vendors shouting out their wares or signs; instead, agricultural products are displayed by vendors on long poles (about 3-5 meters long) erected on the boats. Tourists and buyers simply look at the displayed goods to identify what each boat is selling.
On the floating market, occasionally a boat carrying agricultural products, food, coffee, bread, etc., would pull up alongside the tourist boat, inviting visitors to buy. The witty tour guide told everyone: Besides agricultural products, the specialty of the floating market is "shaking" rice noodles and vermicelli, because the rocking motion of the river as boats pass by creates waves that cause the tourist boats to constantly sway back and forth. Visitors who want a more intense experience can eat their bowl of rice noodles or vermicelli right on their boat, while those who prefer a more relaxed experience can sit on a raft with tables and chairs.
Our boat stopped for breakfast at a place called Thuyen Hong Quoc Linh. The noodle soup here has a very distinctive flavor; the noodles are translucent, smooth, and chewy, made from fragrant rice from the Mekong Delta; the broth is clear, sweet, and aromatic, and served with boiled pork, thinly sliced beef meatballs, carrots, a few bean sprouts, and fresh basil, making it very appealing to tourists… A bowl of noodle soup costs 45,000 VND. The owner, while quickly preparing the noodle soup for customers, shared: "I've been selling here for over a decade. I sell from 5 am to 9 am every day, with the busiest time being from 7 am to 8 am. I sell not only to tourists but also to the locals living along this floating market."
Julian Hummels' family (German nationality) visited Vietnam and chose to go to Cai Rang floating market. Through the introduction of their interpreter, it was learned that Julian Hummels, his wife, and three daughters had only been in Vietnam for two days. They traveled from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho to visit Cai Rang floating market, their first tourist destination. All family members were excited and delighted to see the daily life and trading on the river for the first time; boats bustling with vendors selling all sorts of things: coffee, soft drinks, fruits, etc.
Amidst the chatter and laughter of buyers and sellers, and savoring the aroma of coffee, Julian Hummels shared: "I've traveled to many places around the world, but when I came to Vietnam, I was very impressed with the life and people here, from the skilled boat drivers to the unique and fascinating processes of making rice noodles and coconut candy right on the boats. My wife and children also thoroughly enjoyed this trip. After visiting Cai Rang floating market, my family will continue our journey to explore the famous tourist destination of Phu Quoc (Kien Giang)."
Strategically located within the river system of Cai Rang district, Cai Rang floating market has many opportunities for development and has become an important trading hub, attracting numerous boats and ships from neighboring provinces around Can Tho city. Cai Rang floating market is a symbol of riverine culture, clearly reflecting the unique characteristics of the land and people of the Mekong Delta. In 2016, Cai Rang floating market was recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and was selected by Rough Guide travel magazine as one of the 10 most impressive markets in the world. It is estimated that by 2024, the total number of tourists visiting Can Tho will be approximately 6.3 million.
Le Dung
Source: https://baohanam.com.vn/du-lich/nhon-nhip-cho-noi-cai-rang-149229.html
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