What do you need to know when traveling to floating market in Vietnam? Let’s find out the most detailed guide and review about Cai Rang floating market Vietnam trip. The first thing to know is how to book a boat, what time to go, activities that should be experienced. And useful information about captions, history and nearby hotels. Let’s find out everything from A-Z with Mien Tay Co Gi – What’s In The West!
How to book a boat at floating market in Vietnam
Here’s how to book a boat to floating market Vietnam from Ninh Kieu wharf and An Binh market. Also included is a detailed price list and how to contact ship reservations. Let’s answer the question of how to go to Cai Rang floating market.
Traveling from Ninh Kieu wharf Traveling to Cai Rang floating market in Vietnam
If you travel from Ninh Kieu wharf, it will takes about 30-40 minutes to travel by boat with the river section of about 10km. If you go on a small boat, it can takes more than 1 hour.
When traveling from Ninh Kieu wharf, the road will be longer but you will experience the feeling of sailing on one of the most beautiful artificial canals in Asia. Furthermore, for a long distance, you can hear more about the Cai Rang floating market in Vietnam and the special things here. In addition, Ninh Kieu wharf is also quite near the center of Can Tho city. It will be more convenient for travelers staying in the hotel near the center to hang out.
What’s in the West tried to walk around Ninh Kieu wharf as a tourist. And indeed, many ship owners or employees offer to book ships:
However, if you do not want to spend too much time moving the river, you can go to An Binh market to go to Cai Rang floating market in Vietnam. Here’s how to contact and the price list of boat rental to Cai Rang floating market from Ninh Kieu wharf.
Contact to book a boat and buy tickets to Cai Rang floating market of Can Tho travel company: 0911 838 409. You will gather at Ninh Kieu wharf to move to Cai Rang floating market by boat.
Group tour to Cai Rang floating market Cantho:
- Cai Rang floating market tour : VND 70,000 – VND 100,000.
- Cai Rang floating market tour – pizza noodles workshop – Can Tho fruit garden: 220,000 VND / person (breakfast included).
Traveling Cai Rang floating market in Vietnam from An Binh market
An Binh Market is only about 100 meters from Cai Rang floating market in Vietnam. From there you can park your vehicles in parking lot and take the boat right at the wharf to Cai Rang floating market in Vietnam. It may be more convenient for those who do not like moving too much time for the waterway. In addition, you can save a little more boat rentals. The following is a price list for chartering a boat to Cai Rang floating market from An Binh market.
Price list for group tour to floating market from An Binh market is 50,000 VND / person. If renting a private boat, the price is from 150,000 VND to 200,000 VND / a boat.
Where is Cai Rang Can Tho floating market Vietnam?
Cai Rang Floating Market Can Tho is located about 10km from Ninh Kieu wharf. From there you move through 3 bridges, namely Quang Trung Bridge, Hung Loi Bridge and finally Cai Rang Bridge. Just pass Cai Rang bridge about 200m is An Binh market and Cai Rang floating market in Vietnam. Standing on Cai Rang bridge, you can also see an overview of Cai Rang floating market from far away. To learn more about the question of where Cai Rang floating market is. You can refer to Google Maps for Cai Rang floating market address.
Floating Market Cai Rang Can Tho Map:
When is the best time to travel to Cai Rang floating market in Vietnam?
At around 4-5 am, traders in Cai Rang floating market in Vietnam started a new working day. However, at that time, they only sell to wholesalers to bring agricultural products to the mainland market. In addition, normally the best light is around 6-7 am in the morning so you should start from Ninh Kieu wharf at around 5:30 or 6:00 that is the best time to go to Cai Rang floating market in Vietnam.
At that time, the sunrise begins to appear beautifully in Ninh Kieu wharf. When you arrive in the market, the sun is not too harsh and completely satisfied the needs of taking pictures of tourists. At that time, traders were also less busy so they can talk to you.
However, the market is still in open until 9 – 10am. Especially for those who visits the last trip to see and explore the atmosphere at Cai Rang floating market in Vietnam.
Things you should experience when traveling to Cai Rang floating market in Vietnam
Cai Rang Floating Market Vietnam is a wholesale market with hundreds of years of history on the Hau River. It is a true representation of the culture of life in the Mekong Delta. Let’s learn about interesting things we can experience when traveling to Cai Rang floating market in Vietnam.
Eating crab rice noodles in a boat when traveling to Cai Rang floating market
What is special and different when eating noodles? Certainly it is special because the famous American chef – Gordon Ramsay after enjoying it exclaimed that it is extremely unique. He also brought it in The Master Chef in the US. So what makes a specialty noodle bowl of Cai Rang floating market Vietnam so delicious?
First of all, the delicious bone broth mix with the dozens years of experience of the cooks on the boats. A dish on the river has been served for long-time for boat drivers and tourists. Create a brand, experience to please many customers.
When eating on the boat, you have to choose a place to bowl carefully. A small wave on the river rocking the boat can flip the bowl of noodles. Holding a bowl of rice noodle bowl and eating slowly is also not easy. Feel the Cai Rang floating market river through special cuisine is the most special thing.
The price of rice noodles at Cai Rang floating market Vietnam is about VND 30,000 – VND 40,000 / bowl. With the same bowl of noodles I tried with 2 different prices. Perhaps here they charge depending on the weather or a number of guests.
Drinking cafe is only available at Cai Rang floating market
Caramelized Cafe? It sounds so strange, right? According to What’s in the West, this is a special drink and only available at Cai Rang floating market in Vietnam. Starting from the tourists come to drink coffee on the spot and go. Or the lack of tools in the river. The coffee sellers at Cai Rang floating market have found a unique way to keep the taste of coffee delicious and hot to serve customers by “caramelized” coffee.
Cafe is kept in a clay pot. Underneath the pot is always kept fire to heat coffee. The taste of the coffee will be kept hot and make the taste delicious. Especially almost every café boat in Cai Rang floating market Vietnam sells by this style.
Cafe price of Cai Rang floating market Cantho is 10,000 VND / cup.
Bargain and choose fruits on the boat when traveling to Cai Rang floating market Vietnam
Bargain and choose the freshest fruits from the boats of the people. An interesting fact is that here, you can try the fruits before you buy. Of course try to be moderate! In addition, the price is also reasonable to avoid being harshly cursed in the morning. But do not be afraid to bargain a little bit, you will certainly get a promotion or discount!
The fruits in the boat sold at Cai Rang floating market in Vietnam can be fresh but also not too delicious. There are a few other fruits imported from the mainland, not all from wholesalers. Fruit quality is also quite lucky by chance. You need to choose carefully before you buy.
It is adviced that you should buy immediately after visiting it is quite ok. If you want to buy more as gifts, then it is better to go to the local stores and markets.
Take photos to check in with the bustling scenery of boats
The bustling boat scene of Cai Rang floating market in the morning is always wonderful. From juggling fruit scenes back and forth between boats, to boat scenes moving agricultural products to the mainland. All the bustle of the boats is a great photography background for tourists.
Check out the amazing Cai Rang floating market in Vietnam images from Instagram of some people! You will love it for sure!
Eating pineapple on the roof of selling pineapple boats
Pineapple becomes an annual fruit for tourists at Cai Rang floating market in Vietnam. The big boats at the top of the Can Tho floating market sell the freshest and already cut pineapples to tourists. Sprinkle some homemade salt with a special recipe. You will definitely drool when you see it.
Especially when stepping on the roofs of people waiting for peeling pineapple. You can see the scenery of Cai Rang floating market from above. Take photos with a more comprehensive perspective with Cai Rang floating market in Vietnam.
Experiences for traveling to Can Tho Floating Market
Here are some experiences of traveling to Cai Rang floating market of What’s in the West after dozens of trips as a tourist and going with friends.
Fruit at Cai Rang floating market is not really the freshest
Here fruit selling in small boats is quite diverse but not always the freshest. Most of them have to import from the mainland to sell to tourists. Absolutely not like small boats are sourced from large gardens. So sometimes you should just buy some fruit there to eat on the go. And if you want to buy for friends or relatives, you should go to fruit shops or markets on the mainland.
Traveling to Cai Rang floating market in VIetnam at the weekend is wrong
This is an opinion from the times I experienced , not to say 100% is like that. Because every time I go on the weekend with my friends, the ferryman at the floating market is quite hurry. They took a quick floating market round for them, then ran back.
As far as I know the reason is because the demand is not sufficient at the weekend. They will take advantage of leaving early to catch up on the 2nd, 3rd trip. From there, the revenue increases a lot. So sometimes we are disappointed about bad services here on the weekends. So when visiting Cai Rang floating market in Viet Nam, please deal first with the ship owner or you should book the tour guide to go along will be a lot better.
Rice noodles on boat is quite expensive
Sometimes the price of rice noodles is more expensive than on land. Normally, a bowl of noodles I buy is only VND 20,000 – VND 30,000 / bowl. Particularly in floating market prices will range from 30,000 VND – 40,000 VND / bowl. The price is because this is a tourist destination, the rice seller has to pay for meals for both boat drivers and tour guides.
Traveling to Cai Rang floating market on Tet is quite boring
On Tet holiday, everyone at Cai Rang floating market in Vietnam mostly takes their boats to their hometowns to celebrate Tet. Very few people stay at Cai Rang floating market Vietnam. So when visiting the New Year, there will be quiet few boats. Sometimes you will only be able to talk to other tourists.
What do tourists think about Cai Rang floating market?
Let’s find out about the reviews of Cai Rang floating market tourists talking about it on social networks!
Linh Le assessed 3/5: “Coming to Can Tho, the center of the Mekong Delta, everyone wants to go to Cai Rang floating market – even people who have lived here for decades have never gone (My aunt) * First: Of course, find a boat house to buy tickets / book a trip accordingly. As for me, I will go in the early morning when it will exchange goods of the boats, it will be more like you go to wholesale markets in Hanoi. -NOTE: to avoid being led by the ticket side, you should be careful (go to a Coffee shop in Ninh Kieu wharf to jump around the bush, but if they say let them introduce slowly ^^) * Next: You should have small snack before ( if you are not boatsick). Eating in the floating market is quiet more expensive than on land. As for me, you should go early in the morning, it is cooler, the mood is better than it until 8-9am. When they go by canoe, they will take me to the souvenir shop to buy whatever you like but if you go out, you like to move because finding a souvenir snacking restaurant is hard to find the place produce those goods : v And myself This floating market is no longer the same as before so it feels normal to go because the market is not busy, so boring. I wish you a happy and safe trip”.
Huy Tran said 5/5: “Breakfast is quite interesting on the river. The busiest time of the market is 5:30am . There is a long stick on the boat and they hang what they sell on it which is divided by areas. The positioning area on the map is the pier, you go there and take a 15-minute boating, cross 3 bridges to the floating market – near Cai Rang Bridge and Cai Rang Market on the shore. After going to the market, you can visit the workshop making noodles and experience firsthand how to make noodles. The final destination is garden. Tickets VND 20.000/ person. Visit a lot of fruits and eat fruits then listen to Southern folk songs.”
Interesting legends about the name of Cai Rang floating market
Let’s take a look at the origins of the name of Cai Rang floating market! From origins of ancient history books to interesting and thrilling legends.
Derived from the Khmer script
Karan was a popular tool at the time of every citizen, especially traders or poor people who travel on the river. The use of that Karan is similar to a modern electric kettle. In the book “The Southern Voices of the South” author Vuong Hong Sen has recorded:
“Cà ràng LOOKS LIKE A laying down number 8, ONE HEAD IS THREE KITCHEN GODS TO ATTACH THE HEAD TO THE SUPER-HEATER, WITH ANY ONE KIND TO HOLD THE BIG GUN WITH THE HUMAN BAMBOO, THIS BULK HAS BEEN TROZENED. WITHDRAWING OUT AND BACK TOGETHER. IN THE LEGAL SITUATION, LE CISBASSAC IS DEFINITED, AND MANY OTHER BOOKS THAT HAVE BEEN WRITTEN: “KRKK KRAN: RACH TOT, THIS IS HERE TO MAKE SURE, ANOTHER ONE ASKED TO BE ANOTHER THE ARTICLE THAT THE DAY HAS BEEN, DON’T KNOW FROM WHEN, THE WHOLE KHMER PEOPLE (MECHANISM) IN THE TON (TRONY) SPECIALIZED TO MAKE CLAY POT AND THE “KARAN” SUBSTITUTE THE LARGE DECK THROUGH THE MAIN RIVER TO DOCK DOWN HERE. SELLING, YEARS THROUGH A YEAR, EVERYDAY THE PEOPLE SAY “KARAN” TO “TOOTH” (HOMONYM ) AND THEN BECAME REAL NAME FOR THIS AREA UNTIL NOW.”
For the convenience and commonality of a karan like a small portable stove. So throughout the western provinces now see this tool in the house. In particular, the most prosperous floating market in Can Tho at that time people saw many boats selling this type of Karan. Since then, people have begun to call this floating market with the name Ca Rang (Karan) as the phonetic transcription of the Khmer. However, later on because of the habit of reading in the West, gradually changing it to be easier to read than Cai Rang. Since then the name of Cai Rang floating market in Vietnam has gradually formed.
Origin of the name from the crocodile loves to sing
Legend told that in the old days at Can Tho floating market there was a big and fierce crocodile. But especially when there are multiples of the theater troupes in the river, the crocodile resurfaced hearing opera. Each time listening to the song, the crocodile showed interest and did not harm anyone else. Since then people are also familiar with crocodile emerging scene fascinated opera.
One day there was a wedding of a boy and girl in the village. The wedding was held vigorously and there were many songs for each other to hear. At that time, it was like the habit of a crocodile surfaced to listen. However, at that time, the crocodile suddenly used its tail to knock down the boats and took the bride away. The groom was in pain, choking at the time.
Then the guy returned home to use all his remaining assets to hire a bunch of the most famous bumper group to sing. He gathered strongest guys in the village determined to trap and kill the fierce crocodile. People gathered to build dam to stop the river to stop the crocodile escape.
After finished watching the bumper performance, the weary crocodile returned to the lair. However it did not know that the traps were waiting for it. The crocodile was blocked at the dam, thousands of sharp spears or stabbed into its body. Screams everywhere. Everyone killed the crocodile, the boy who had hatred for it had sliced open the bones and saw the crocodile. Then he threw every body part of the crocodile into the river.
Wherever every part of the crocodile went, people called it the same name as its body parts. The first part is called the Crocodile Head, the skin part is called the The Skin. Especially the teeth that fall into the floating market area should be called Cai Rang. The name Cai Rang Floating Market in Vietnam has since formed.
Explanation on Cai Rang floating market
Cai Rang Floating Market in Vietnam is the largest river wholesaling market in the West at present. Over 100 years of establishment and development. It has been associated with the lives of many western children. Let’s explore a feature that clearly represents this Western river culture.
History of floating market in Vietnam
Cai Rang floating market in Vietnam was formed in the early 20th century. The market is located on the waterway of Hau river connecting Can Tho to other western provinces in Xang Xa No canal. Especially, Can Tho with the reputation of Tay Do (known as the capital of the West) has gathered many traders from neighboring provinces such as Ca Mau, Bac Lieu, Soc Trang, Long An, …
Along the river, the market is over 1km, the average width is about 120-150m. The average peak time up to thousands of boats every day in the market. Today the number is gradually smaller with about 100-200 boats on the market. However, the number of ships serving the tourist is up to thousands of boats moving back and forth the floating market every day.
Everyone knows that the Mekong Delta region has many canals and rivers. Particularly in the past motor vehicles seemed quite rare. Waterways become the main trade route between provinces. Floating market became a place of business, crowded daily market. It forms a river culture in the West.
At that time, the boats of the Khmer sold Ca Rang. The Chinese from Bac Lieu went down and sold groceries of all kinds. Saigon people come here, they sell ceramics, strange items from the West. Ca Mau and Rach Gia people specialize in selling fresh and delicious seafood products. Boats carrying mats and roofs from famous regions like Hau Giang. Or the boats of Can Tho, Vinh Long, Ben Tre, all kinds of delicious fruits. Cai Rang Floating Market sells all kinds of items and is extremely crowded.
On 10/3/2016 Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recognized Cai Rang floating market as a national intangible cultural heritage.
In 2019, the prestigious photo page Getty Images put Can Tho (where the canal from Ben Ninh Kieu to Cai Rang Floating Market – Floating Market Vietnam) into a list of the 15 most beautiful canals in the world. Besides the famous canals in the world like Venice, Amsterdam, Brimingham, …
Pole trees (Bẹo) at Cai Rang Floating Market in Vietnam
People often joke that Cai Rang floating market in Vietnam is the first place to use marketing in Vietnam. In the past, with thousands of commercial boats, it was difficult for shoppers to find which boats to sell. So people in the floating market came up with the idea of making a pole.
They prepare a high pole, then hang the products they sell on that pole. People call it a “ Bẹo ” . For example, the sweet potato seller would hang the sweet potato on a pole tree and the maize seller would hang the corn on it.
In particular, gradually formed a unique floating market is 4 “hanging”:
- Hanging something to sell: As explained above, people hang the agricultural products or goods they sell on the wilt tree to invite buyers.
- Hanging without selling: It is the only pole hanging people’s clothes. Floating market life sometimes takes a few days living on boats. They eat, do laundry at the boat. From there appeared the type of clothes hanging here.
- Do not hang but sell: Those are just mobile shops such as cafe, food or drink for people living on the boat. They use small boats to weave through hundreds of boats to offer. At that time, they did not use the pole to invite but came to the place to sell to guests or people living here.
- Hanging one after another sold: For those who are about to “retire”, they can not hang a boat on a pole to sell. At that time, they stipulated that they would hang a house roof or coconut leaves on top. Let others understand that the boat owner wants to sell the boat. Hanging one thing to sell another implies that.
Cai Rang floating market in Vietnam festival
Cai Rang floating market festival is held in early July every year (Celebrating Vietnam Tourism Festival Day). It will usually be held on the weekends near Vietnam travel day on july 9. The year 2019 is held on July 6 – July 8, 2019.
Cai Rang floating fair festival program always has main programs: Arts, traditional booths and fairs, exhibitions of books and photos and tourist introduction booths of tourism companies in Can Tho.
Hotels for Cai Rang floating market travelers
Quite a few hotels near Cai Rang floating market in Vietnam because it is not near the center. But you can choose hotels near Ninh Kieu wharf, where the pier operates daily in the morning going to Cai Rang floating market Cantho.
Ruby Hotel Can Tho
The hotel is located next to the Ninh Kieu wharf with rooms clean and quite okay. The price is from 300,000 VND / room for single room tenants. If you are not too picky, it is quite suitable for you.
Phone number: +84 292 3912 777.
Address: 34 Nguyen An Ninh Street, Tan An, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho, Vietnam.
Anh Dao Mekong Hotel
With a location right in the city center and near Ninh Kieu wharf. Anh Dao Mekong Hotel is extremely convenient for those who want to travel floating markets and visit the center of Can Tho city at night. The price here is about 500,000 VND / room.
Phone number: +84 292 3819 501.
Address: 85 Nguyen An Ninh Street, Tan An, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho, Vietnam.
A Chau hotel
Located in the center of Ninh Kieu, 500 meters from Ninh Kieu wharf. You can easily harmonize with the excitement of Can Tho city. The hotel here is 3 star standard and has the price of 500,000 VND / room.
Phone number: +84 886 814 777.
Address: 91 Chau Van Liem Street, Tan An, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho, Vietnam.
Hau Giang Hotel 2
A quite hotel near Ninh Kieu wharf. The price is from 400,000 VND / room. However, it is also not appreciated by many tourists because sometimes quite noisy.
Phone number: +84 292 3824 836.
Address: 08 Hai Thuong Lan Ong, Tan An, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho, Vietnam.
Binh Minh Ecolodge
A good homestay with green areas of Western style is quite interesting. There are quite comfortable bathtubs in single rooms. You can just soak in the tub while relaxing in the open space because the upper part is not covered.
However, the price here is quite high. Binh Minh Eco Lodge is a homestay but the owner here says they serve 5 * style. And the price is also 5 * with a price of about VND 2,600,000 / room. But in my opinion if you want to enjoy the rustic peace, go on vacation and do not regret the money, it is perfectly reasonable here.
Especially to get here, you have to go from Can Tho wharf to the other side of the river. The journey takes about 15 minutes. So this will definitely be a secluded area away from the city center so it’s quite quiet.
See more details about Binh Minh Ecolodge review (Vietnamese).
Phone number: +84 93 972 99 96.
Address: My Hoa, Binh Minh, Vinh Long, Vietnam.
Beautifull Images Floating Market in Vietnam
