Referring to the Mekong Delta, travelers will surely think of cho noi (the floating market), the typical culture of the Mekong Delta. Cai Be Floating Market is one of the three ones in the Delta, along with Cai Rang and Nga Bay. The writing will help you know more about the Cai Be Floating Market tour.
A vendor sell fruits and vegetables (watermelon, mango, tomato, chayote,…) on a rowing boat.
I. History of Cai Be Floating Market
The floating markets in general, Cai Be in particular were formed when the first footsteps of Vietnamese people came to explore this land, in the 17th century. Since its establishment, the Cai Be Floating Market has become more and more crowded and bustling. However, after 1975, the country became more and more developed, including roads. The land market also developed, so the floating market is more empty than before. However, it still exists and is an attractive place, an indispensable stop on the Mekong Delta tours.
Motorized boats are bigger and expensive than rowing boats and able to carry more goods. Two eyes usually in red, white and black colors are painted on the front of many boats in Vietnam. Local people believe that the eyes protect boats and human from evil spirits and monsters.
II. How to Get to Cai Be Floating Market
The market is located in Cai Be Town, Cai Be District, Tien Giang Province, located in the section of Tien Giang River bordering the border between Tien Giang, Vinh Long, and Ben Tre provinces. From Ho Chi Minh City, You will spend 2 hours traveling by car to the wharf. After that will be a two-hour boat ride. You will either share a boat with other passengers or rent a whole boat for your group. A two-hour trip ticket price will be from 40,000 VND to 80,000 VND, but if you rent a whole boat it can be much more expensive, above 600,000 VND. Besides the floating market, you will also get to visit a coconut candy-making workshop, beekeeping garden, and orchard… You should search on google for large and reliable boat renters to avoid being scammed.
Abundant watermelons and golden honeydew melons are sold on boats at Cai Be Floating Market.
III. Best Time to Visit Cai Be Floating Market
Like most other floating markets in Vietnam, Cai Be meets in the very early morning. Though the busiest time lasts from 4 am to 6 am, you can find boats gathering from 3 am. At the dawn, the market will be at its best.
On the other hand, if you want to find peace, you can visit Cai Be in the afternoon. it is best to pay a visit to Cai Be at 4 pm, the sunlight will be gentle at that time, and you will be able to admire the tranquil beauty of riverside villages.
Some boats functions as floating restaurants where you can eat most of the specialty foods in Mekong Delta. Bananas, durians, mangoes, pineapples, jack fruits, noodle soups such as Hu tieu, Pho, Banh canh,…
IV. What to See and Do in Cai Be Floating Market?
The floating market is a cultural feature of the Mekong Delta. Before 1975, this place was crowded with boats, buyers and sellers because the river was the main traffic. After 1975, the road has become more and more developed, and the land prevailed. The Cai Be Floating Market consisting of large boats today is mainly wholesale. They mainly sell vegetables and fruits. There are also some boats selling food and drinks on-site. Known the buyers live in the boats for months. In the boats, there are all items for daily living from pots and pans to televisions and altars.
At Tet festival, Cai Be Floating Market is more crowded. They sell not only fruits and vegetables but also flowers and decoration plants.
1. Witnessing well-placed piles of fruits and veggies on the boat
The trading boats will gather at about 3 am for the wholesaling activities. The first activities of the day are transporting fruits and vegetables from the mainland, and to rearrange them in an attractive way. You will see well-placed piles of fruits and vegetables of all types and colors. Each boat will specialize in a few types, which they will hang on a tall wooden pole called a cay beo in Vietnamese, used to indicate the things they sell on the boats.
2. Mingling in the sound of trading activities
While some boats are equipped with modern engines, some remains using a pair of traditional paddles. The sound of paddles, water, engines, and bargaining voices give you a strange feeling. Whenever you pass by a boat, sellers will eagerly invite you to buy something in a lovely accent.
3. Fill your stomach with local food
Along with vegetables and fruits, you can also have breakfast and drink here. Banh canh (Vietnamese thick noodle soup), hu tieu (noodle soup), banh xeo (Vietnamese pancake) are the most exquisite and worth-trying cuisines on the market. Smoothies and coffee are also available for your taste. Eating and drinking might be a little more difficult than usual because of the instability of the boat, which actually makes the experience more fun and memorable.
It is interesting to see how locals sell and buy many things at Cai Be Floating Market.
V. Other Activities Near Cai Be Floating Market
After shopping and traveling around Cai Be, you can stop by one of the islets to further discover the lifestyle of the Mekong Delta. You can choose to discover an ancient house with a large orchard or visit the coconut candy-making village. You will have an opportunity to try making them on your own, and collect them from various flavors to buy for your friends and loved ones.
You can cycle on village paths to see the local farms and houses, or ride on narrow roads along small canals. It’s a fun but quiet experience and you will be able to see another aspect of the busy Cai Be Floating Market.
Gardens of coconut trees, fruit orchards, buildings, temples, churches are along the mighty rivers.
VI. Tips on Visiting Cai Be Floating Market
There are a few things you should keep notice before visiting Cai Be Floating Market:
The boat rides will be somewhat shaky and rough, especially the traditional ones. Make sure you’re not a seasick person.
Put on enough sunscreens and insect repellant. Dress in proper clothes because it might get a bit cold early in the morning, and then very hot after 9 am. Bring a hat with you.
Don’t forget to take photos of a huge Catholic cathedral on the river bank, which will look best in photos taken from afar.
The Cai Be Floating Market has become less crowded in the past few years because the development of inland construction including new roads and highways made it extra easier for selling and purchasing on land, resulting in a sharp decrease in waterway merchandise.
