Floating market is a popular form of trading in Mekong Delta area such as Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar,… People use the boats to carry their products and sell on the river. In Vietnam, this kind of market is a unique feature of some southern provinces lying along Mekong River such as Can Thơ, Kien Giang, Tien Giang,… Vietnam’s floating market get a lot of impressions from international tourists because of original and abundant products as well as friendly and nice attitude of the southern Vietnamese.

A special thing about floating market is everything is implemented on the boat drifting on the river. In a river area of 1km length, there are hundred boats and canoes gather together, creating a very impressive and bustling scene. The sellers and also rowers use their amazing skill to juke their boat in that crowded place without causing any accident.

The products on floating markets are incredibly abundant and diversified. The most special product is local fresh fruits and vegetables. Farmers from the region bring their goods, fruits and vegetables mainly, to the markets and sell them to local dealers. These tropical fruits and vegetables are harvested on the previous day and brought to floating market on the next early morning, so they are completely fresh and delicious.

Vietnam’s floating markets are not only have fruits, but also many other products, from foods, meats, seafood to clothes, foot-wears, groceries; from souvenirs, crafts to weird stuffs like snakes, trionychid turtles or chameleons.

Moreover, besides selling and exchange products, floating market in southern Vietnam is a place for enjoying wonderful local foods and drinks as well as discovering Sothern Vietnamese culture. You can find floating restaurants, floating bars, floating gas stations, and many other floating shops. A lot of special dishes of the South are presented here, including Hu Tieu (Kuy Teav), beef noodle, bun rieu and other traditional cakes. Sitting on a boat beyond an immense beauty of Mekong River and enjoying tasteful foods is an extraordinary experience in your trip.

Because the trading is on the river, so it must be different from other land markets. The “stall” boat on the market has no title or brand or shop sign. The seller will hang a sample of product that they sell on the head of their boat for the buyer to recognize. For example, if they sell bananas, they will hang a bunch of banana on a pole and put it on the head of their boat. The Southern people are also very friendly, hospitable. They always keep their smiles on their faces and never cheat on customers about price.

Well-known floating markets in Vietnam includes Cai Be (Tien Giang province), Cai Rang, Phong Dien (Can Tho city), Phung Hiep (Hau Giang province), Tra On (Vinh Long province), Long Xuyen (An Giang province).