Although not as crowded as before, the floating markets in the West are still quite crowded, a unique feature of the region that whenever seen, people immediately recognize…
Floating markets were formed as a habit of moving on the river of the people of the Mekong Delta, from Nga Nam and Nga Bay down the Tien River to the Hau River and then flowing all the way to Ca Mau, the bustling floating markets help trade from rural to urban areas. The typical products of the fertile land of nine dragons float on boats, boats or dinghies down the large water through each canal to reach everyone.
Some famous river markets in the West are well known such as: Nga Nam floating market in Soc Trang, Nga Bay floating market in Hau Giang, Cai Be floating market in Tien Giang, Long Xuyen floating market in An Giang, floating market Cai Rang and Phong Dien floating market in Can Tho. Among them, Cai Rang floating market is the most crowded…
The trading tradition at the Cai Rang floating market continues to be preserved, located on the Hau River – Xa No canal waterway. Since the market was first established more than a hundred years ago, boats have focused on trading at the intersection of four rivers: Can Tho, Dau Sau, Cai Son, Cai Rang Be, located next to Cai Rang market on the shore. Until the 90s of the last century, due to obstacles in waterway transportation, the floating market was moved downstream of Can Tho river, about 600 meters from Cai Rang bridge.
Cai Rang’s name comes from the ancient story of reclaiming land and establishing hamlets. Legend has it that in this river area, a crocodile washed up here with its teeth stuck deep into the land bank. From then on, people gradually got used to it and used the name Cai Rang to name the floating market.
Unlike markets on the mainland, most floating markets in the West begin to gather at dawn. At around 3 a.m., the lights of large and small boats, boats, five- and three-leaf canoes moving back and forth carrying goods sparkled along the canals gathered at the floating market.
The market started with the bustling sounds of greetings and greetings from sellers and buyers. The boats are not only from the region, at Cai Rang floating market, there are many boats of traders from Ca Mau, Bac Lieu, Dong Thap, and Soc Trang coming here to join the market. After receiving the goods, the boats and boats spread out in different directions, usually arriving at 10 a.m. before leaving the market.
Therefore, when going to the floating market, everyone should be there early, buy a boat ticket to visit the market from Ninh Kieu wharf, Xom Chai ferry wharf or go straight to Cai Rang floating market. Ticket prices range around 200,000 VND/person depending on how much you travel.
For those who come to the floating market for the first time, they will definitely feel curious and excited by the image of the bamboo tree hanging in front of each boat. The purpose of using a stick is to advertise the items you need to sell. Usually, whatever you sell will be hung on the stick. The tree is usually made of bamboo. The longer the tree and the more beautiful the decoration, the easier it is to attract buyers. This is a simple, friendly and very typical method of soliciting purchases of river areas.
However, not all items can be conveniently hung on a bamboo tree, for example small fish will be difficult to see from afar, or heavy coconuts, durians… will often be placed in front of the boat.
Coming to the floating market, everyone should prepare themselves with a hungry stomach to enjoy a delicious breakfast right on the boat or boat. Many dishes are served on-site such as vermicelli vermicelli, vermicelli fish sauce, vermicelli noodle soup, noodle soup, noodles, broken rice, silkworm cakes, meatloaf… hot, fragrant and with coffee, tea, etc. fruit juice, fresh coconut… for everyone to choose from.
The seller sat in the middle of the handboat and quickly brought out hot, delicious bowls of vermicelli and noodles for diners. There’s nothing better than sitting on a boat rocking in the early morning, enjoying a bowl of noodles, making a cup of coffee and watching the boats pass by throughout the area.
In addition, you can also sit on the boat to enjoy fruits, from fruits such as mango, guava, plum, banana that Auntie Nam and Auntie Bay offer for sale on sampan boats.
The market only opens in the morning until around 9 – 10 o’clock. At this time, the boats and boats spread out in different directions, leaving behind a quiet river scene, and it was not bustling again until early the next morning.
Other commercial boats will pull up to the shore to prepare for the morning session the next day. People who travel here and there are attached to boats on the water, they are river traders, their lives are simple on boats full of agricultural products.
In June, Can Tho City People’s Committee signed a decision to establish a State Management Board to preserve and promote the value of the national intangible cultural heritage of the Cai floating market. Teeth serve tourism development.
($1=24,000 VND)
Photo,Video: Internet (Vinlove.net)