The market is divided into two parts: buying and selling places. Rafts and boats are anchored along the two sides of the river for kilometres. From the floating market, goods are shifted for selling at inland markets or small boats take them for delivery along canals in the Plain of Reeds.
Cai Be floating market, a famous tourist attraction in the Mekong Delta, is a special kind of Vietnamese marketplace.
In the early morning, hundreds of people poured into the market, revitalizing the river reach. With its advantage of diverse fruit trees, Tien Giang province has brought to the market with the famous delicious fruits such as orange, mango, etc.
Take a boat trip to Cai Be floating market, tourists are attracted by the painting of real life of people here with the looming streets under the coconut trees along the river, gourd groves swaying in the wind. All create agreeable scenery for travelers to enjoy. Linking gardens, connecting rivers and interleaving canals – the pure beauty of the countryside has become an ideal destination for those who wish to escape from the busy cities.
Cai Be floating market alone is a unique cultural characteristic of this waters region. With the line of people and boats going in a rush, with all means of transport by waterways, the market is line a miniature city on the river. The market is busy all the day long, with a wide range of items trades here from fruits, households items to clothing, etc.
A very special thing is that on each boat, goods are hung on poles that are called dialectically “cay beo”. Hundreds of such poles point the sky wards. Boats also operate like “taxis,” very convenient for tourists around the region.
Visiting Cai Be Market,tourists can also find for themselves many kinds of special food and drink on the boats, and you will have a great photographic opportunities as all manner of produce is traded from boats, communicate with the local, take sampans along canals to visit local houses and enjoy fresh fruits
The Cai Be Floating Market becomes more sparkling at night by the lights from the boats on the river. When the "floating city" lights up, the lights are reflected through the river water like thousands of stars falling down. To increase the charm for "city" at night, many of the boat heads are hung with lovely lanterns like lighting eyes.
Travel Tips
Almost floating markets start in the very early morning and finish before noon. Thus, to catch the liveliest and busiest scenery, you should plan to stay one night in Vinh Long. Bring along camera, hat, sunscreen and insect repellant.
