The Cai Rang floating market in Can Tho is the most well-known of all floating markets—an important cultural characteristic in the West. It would be a massive mistake to visit Can Tho and not go to the Cai Rang floating market. It is more than just a market in the midst of the river.
Table of Contents
- Opening time and how to get to Cai Rang floating market
- The history of Cai Rang floating market
- The morning hectic scene on Cai Rang floating market
- Tips to enjoy Cai Rang floating Market
Opening time and how to get to Cai Rang floating market
Cai Rang floating market normally opens around dawn. Therefore, so you’ll need to wake up early if you want to really enjoy the lively environment. It is best visited between 5:00 AM and 7:00 AM.
Cai Rang Floating Market is around 6 kilometers from the city center. You can reach here by boat or car/motorbike. The market is near the Cai Rang bridge, and everyone knows about it, so you may ask about the route.
Simply walk to the dock, ask a local to buy tickets (don’t worry, they will come to you). Remember to choose a good boat, and board it for a tour of Can Tho’s most famous floating market.
If you are traveling in a large group, you should rent an entire boat. The whole rental cost is between 350,000 VND and 400,000 VND.
Individual tickets cost around 30,000 VND per person if you go alone.
The history of Cai Rang floating market
Cai Rang floating market, according to various research records, was founded in the early years of the twentieth century. Somewhat before the establishment of Nga Bay (Hau Giang) and Nga Nam (Soc Trang) floating markets.
The market is located on the Can Tho River-Xa No Canal waterway. Therefore, it is highly convenient for trading with surrounding provinces and the entire Mekong Delta. This is why the Cai Rang floating market is the largest and busiest in the region.
Cai Rang translates to “The Tooth” in English. According to folklore, the name “Cai Rang” derives from a story from the past in which a very large dead crocodile was discovered floating to the river side, with its teeth plugged to the surface of the bank. People worshiped and named this place “Cai Rang” because they believed the crocodile was a god.
According to historical and linguistic sources, such as author Vuong Hong Sen’s book “The Voice of the South”, Cai Rang is originated from the Khmer word “karan”which meaning “ca rang” (Ong Tao Figures – Gods of the kitchen). Back in the day, Khmer people in Xa Ton (Tri Ton, An Giang Province) created a lot of earthen pots and “karan”. They delivered them along the great river on big boats to this portion of the river to sell them for a long time. As time went, locals referred to this river market as the “karan” market, which was later pronounced “Cai Rang” and became the official name of the location.
More goods was sold here over hundreds of years of change. People here still have the tradition of buying and selling products and exchanging items on boats and canoes. Floating markets have evolved into an interesting kind of river tourism over time.
The morning hectic scene on Cai Rang floating market
If you come during the peak time, you will see the bustling scene on hundred boats close to each other, as well as how people sell products in a highly packed and lively environment. The majority of the products are fruits, typical Mekong Delta specialty. The floating market is unique in that visitors rarely hear the invitation, offers, or bargaining talk that is common in mainland marketplaces.
If there are any things for sale, the boat owner will display them on a high pole. Many poles hold a variety of fruits, including bananas, pineapples, grapefruits, mangoes, and many vegetables. The larger boats frequently sell in bulk, whereas the smaller ones sell to buyers piece by piece. Agricultural items, crafts and household goods, unprocessed and ready-made food products… are among the things sold in floating markets.
Aside from boats that sell fruits and vegetables, there are numerous small boats that serve locals and visitors by selling breakfast, drinks, and snacks. Enjoying a bowl of hot, steaming Hu Tieu or Crab Vermicelli on a floating dinghy in the middle of a crowded market scene is an amazing experience for visitors.
The market will close around 9:00 AM. At that point, you can return to the mainland and continue exploring Can Tho’s other interesting destinations.
Tips to enjoy Cai Rang floating Market
- Remember to bring a hat and sunscreen because the sun will become really hot very quickly.
- Arrive early. The sunrise from the boat is spectacular, and the food is at its freshest. You can see the market coming up from its slumber.
4 Comments