Floating Markets

Cai Rang Floating Market

Cai Rang Floating Market is the cities main wholesale market and some say the most well-known floating market in the Mekong (However others say Phong Đien  is more popular) being the main floating wholesale market there are a lot of medium and larger size boats compared to other floating markets which you may have already seen on your Mekong trip. Getting to Cai Rang Floating Market is a litter tricky as it is close to an hour by boat from the Ninh Kieu (Can Tho) wharf, if you are pressed for time the other option is driving to the Cau Dau Sau boat landing and then taking a close to 10 minute boat ride to the market. As with most markets in Vietnam all the action happens early in the morning (the earlier the better) with an optimal time between 6am and 8am to beat the heat and humidity.

Phong Đien Floating Market

Phong Đien Floating Market is Can Tho’s retail floating market and as such is very different from Cai Rang, here you will see many more small and non-motorized boats selling everything from fruit, vegetables, seafood and meat through to Cafe (Cafe Da, Cafe Sua Da) and breakfast. As with Cai Rang above aim to get here as early as possible in the morning, it should be noted that it is possible to do both markets in the same morning if you set out early enough. However if you have a more than a day or two in the city and want to visit both you might want to do them on different mornings.

Phung Hiep floating market

Phung Hiep floating market located about 30km south of Can Tho in the Hau Giang province and is much further away than Cái Răng and Phong Điền Floating Markets however if you have time to spare it is well worth a visit. This market is the largest floating market in the Mekong and is open from as early as 4 am until about 11 am.

Again aim to leave for Phung Hiep early in the morning and you can either book a tour at your hotel or Can Tho tourist or go to Ninh Kieu (Can Tho) wharf to book directly with a boat operator.

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