Is the Cai Rang Floating Market in Vietnam Worth Visiting?

One place comes to mind when you think of the Mekong Delta in Vietnam – The Cai Rang Floating Market!

Being the largest floating market in the Mekong, its popularity comes with good reason. So if you’re thinking of visiting the Mekong Delta, here is an honest guide to the Cai Rang floating market in Can Tho.

Having visited the floating market twice, first during Covid and recently, we’re going to share our own experiences with you, from what we liked to what we didn’t, as well as our personal recommendations.

Find out what to expect at the floating market, best time to visit, how to get there, and plenty of our insider tips you won’t want to miss.

So if you’re wondering whether the Cai Rang floating market in Can Tho is worth visiting, read on as we share with you everything you need to know in this complete and honest guide!

Overview of Cai Rang Floating Market

The Cai Rang floating market is located in the city of Can Tho, Vietnam’s 4th largest city, and is about 165km away from the center of Ho Chi Minh city.

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It used to be a bustling hub of local trade, where farmers and merchants would gather to exchange goods.

‍However, with the increase in tourists, the market has transformed into more of a spectacle than a genuine trading place. It is now one of the most visited tourist attractions in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta with plenty of daily tours to choose from.

What to Expect at Cai Rang Floating Market

Though each experience will vary, here is an overview of what you can expect of the infamous Cai Rang floating market in the Mekong Delta.

First and foremost, most of the photographs you see on tour advertisements and websites do not accurately portray the current state of the floating market. It is not as busy as it used to be and you won’t find many local small boats trading their produce.

What you will see are larger boats trading with each other. Most of the smaller boats will have tourists on board wearing their bright orange life jackets. While other local boats are set up to cater to the needs of the visitors, such as selling noodles, drinks, and fruits.

In general, the locals at the floating market now mainly focus on catering to the tourists’ demands, causing the experience to lose its authenticity.