In Can Tho, there is the most famous market in Vietnam. What does it sell on Tet?

In the days leading up to Tet, the atmosphere at Cai Rang floating market in Can Tho city becomes more bustling, when hundreds of boats jostle each other to exchange and sell goods.

According to the reporter's records, from early morning, hundreds of boats carrying agricultural products, ornamental flowers, and essential foods were anchored along the entire river. The sound of engines and the loud cries of merchants created a bustling atmosphere. Along with that, there were many boats carrying tourists , especially foreign tourists, to visit and experience the floating market - a characteristic of the Mekong Delta.

Normally, Cai Rang floating market is crowded at around 6:30 am, but these days near Tet, the market opens earlier because the amount of goods has increased many times.

In the floating market, the beo tree has a unique feature, whatever the beo hangs on is what the boat is selling (using a tree trunk about 2-3m high, whatever the merchant sells, he hangs on the bow of the boat) so that buyers know where to find it without having to use a loudspeaker or advertise. In the market, the advertising is mainly for traders such as vermicelli soup, coffee, lottery tickets, etc.

The attraction of the floating market during the days before Tet is the boats full of goods. Each boat will sell a different item, from fresh delicious fruits from the West to necessary household items for daily life.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Be, who has been attached to the floating market for more than 30 years, shared: "Last year I rarely went home. I hope this year, Tet, will be a "good year" to sell all my goods early so I can go home to cook rice to welcome my grandparents."

Floating markets in the days near Tet attract domestic and foreign tourists to visit and experience. Ms. Nguyen Lan - a tourist from Ho Chi Minh City - visited the floating market and shared that she felt the bustling atmosphere of the floating market, with many boats full of fruits, vegetables, and colorful goods. It has the typical characteristics of the peaceful and prosperous Mekong Delta.

A merchant at the floating market happily trades on the last day of the year.

Ms. Nguyen Duy Kim Thanh - tour guide at Cai Rang floating market - said that in the days near Tet, boats are bustling with trading, creating a bustling atmosphere, and flower boats also gather, making the floating market more colorful. Visitors coming here have a new and strange experience that only happens near Tet. In particular, visitors can also experience the feeling of sitting on a small boat swaying on the river and enjoying specialties of the West.

Cai Rang Floating Market was formed from the living habits of local people with a lifestyle closely associated with rivers. The market is recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage, one of the top destinations for tourists when coming to Can Tho. Cai Rang Floating Market was also voted by Rough Guide Magazine (UK) as one of the 10 most impressive markets in the world .

According to the People's Committee of Cai Rang district, the floating market has about 200 - 250 boats and ships trading and exchanging goods, sometimes up to 300, 400 boats (of which about 150 are permanently anchored, about 100 boats from other places). Goods of Cai Rang floating market include: Fruits; vegetables; flowers, ornamental plants; handicrafts; food and essential goods.