Anyone who comes to the Southwest region without going to the floating market is a mistake. This place is not only a place to trade but also an ideal destination for tourists to learn the unique cultural features of the Western River region. In the Mekong Delta, there are many floating markets, but Nga Nam floating market is still boldly simple and idyllic and is one of the oldest floating markets with a history of more than a hundred years, on a large scale in the region.
Panorama of Nga Nam Floating Market
Nga Nam floating market in Nga Nam town, about 60 km from Soc Trang city, is a place to attract tourists to visit and experience the life of the river in the West. Want to visit Nga Nam floating market, starting from the center of Soc Trang city, visitors can move along National Highway 1A, go to Phu Loc, then turn right onto Provincial Road 42.
The name Nga Nam appeared when the French dug the Phung Hiep canal. This canal and Xang canal cross the Xeo Chinh canal, forming five tributaries flowing to 5 intersections: Ca Mau, Vinh Quoi, Long My, Thanh Tri, and Phung Hiep.
Nga Nam Floating Market is one of the oldest and large-scale floating markets in the Southwest region
Nga Nam Floating Market usually opens quite early and lasts until 8 o’clock, then gradually dissolves. The most crowded is usually from 5 am to 6 am with the scene of hundreds of boats gathering, bustling the river wharf. This is the best time to experience the floating market. On the occasion of the Lunar New Year, Nga Nam floating market almost meets from morning to night, making the atmosphere even busier.
A morning on the Floating Market – Photo: Henry Lee
The goods of Nga Nam floating market are very rich and diverse, from the famous delicious rice of the large granary in the region to the garden vegetables and fruits; From agricultural products, seafood to daily living and household items, etc. In order to facilitate the easy transmission of information between the seller and the buyer, the Beep tree is an effective advertising medium. of the floating market.
Trees are a form for buyers to observe and find the type of goods they want to buy – Photo: Quang Tran
This tool is usually made from old bamboo, bent straight, about 4-5 m long, sharp angle for easy plugging and pliers when parked, the top is punched and can be skewed through to hang goods. Buyers just need to stand from afar, look at the Betel nut trees to observe and find the type of goods they want to buy.
Currently, due to the improvement of the road transport system, some traders have switched to the form of market groups on the shore. However, the floating market still operates quite bustling, still retains the typical soul of the Western floating market, which is a tourist attraction in Soc Trang not to be missed.
On the occasion of the Lunar New Year, Nga Nam floating market is almost open from morning to night Photo: daihocsi
Coming to Nga Nam market, visitors will see the whole market as a vivid and colorful picture. Colors from vegetables and fruits; the color of grandma’s dresses fluttering in the wind…
In the middle of a vast river, the sound of oars waving, the invitation to buy goods on the boats, shells, five-leaf, three-leaf, upside-down … create a joyful shopping scene.
Nga Nam floating market still has bold simplicity of a Western floating market – Photo: daihocsi
Visiting Cho Floating Market, visitors can enjoy breakfast right on the boat with Soc Trang specialties such as vermicelli, vermicelli, silkworm cake, and drinks including coffee, sugar tea, juice, etc. A few agricultural products, eating some breakfast on the river, there is nothing better than visiting this place.